The New York herald., 1874-08-06
AMONG THE WEE ONES.

The Newsboys' Lodging House and tho
Girls Sheltcr--A Home for the Home
less.
Although much has been written OF the practical
charities OF New York, much remains to be learned
OF that far. reaching charity which enfolds In It's
sheltering arms the poor children OF this mighty
city. Within o stones throw of the City Hall and
within the sound OF its bell is o grand seven story
building, built Of brick ana faced with sand
stone, simple, yet imposing in architecture, with
a single sign, "Newsboys Lodging House." to de-.
note It's use and purpose. This edlnce can be
plainly seen from Chatham street by the thousands
OF passengers on the various car lines which daily
journey through the great th0roughfare; but we
doubt II many Of the business tOilers have turned
away from their daily tasks to enter the building
which must become historical
The building mentioned has two entrances, one
on Duane street and one on New Chambers street.
At six O'Clock each evening the waits OF New
YorK-many OF whom might well answer to the i'm.
mortal Gavroche OF Victor Hugo in lies Miser.
abies"-commence TO file into their home. A
watcbman stands at the door to see that no bad
characters enter and to check the b0istcrous hlar
ny OF these Oatrs OF the street. They troop up the
stone hail ways to the third moor, where the AS.
sistant superintendent awaits to receive their
soied shoes-if they have any-and to take charge
Each boys ef1ects are placed IN q closet. the key
Of which Is hung upon tho hook corresponding to
the number OF the closet. Then the youths are
made acquainted with the baths, and ample con-
veniences are at hand TO remove the dirt or the
streets from their persons, alter which wnOlc-
some light supper Is served, consisting at this
season Of milk and tea, with good bread and but
ter or syrup, and some light relish. In winter
this diet Is changed with meat, &c. They are
then free TO seek thelrE dOrmi tories, where
two beds are ranged-like berths In a
ship-one above the other. or they
sixth floor, and amuse themselves with dumb bells,
rings or parallel bars rhey generally, however,
retire to tbeir cOuches early and ''seep the sleep
of the Just" For the wholesome accommodation
thus Afforded by the Society the boys are only
charged six cents for lodging, six cents for supper
and Six cents for breakfast. There Is an audience
room," where lectures are given, exhibitions, &C.,
ana In winter this han Is well attended. Placards
are hung oil around the room with such directions
as the following g:-"Profanity strictly prohibited"
'The use OF tobacco not allowed" Boys who
superintendent &C.. &c. The Superintendent.
Mr. O'C0nnor, Is assisted by his wiie and the latter
directs the servants, attends TO the laundry de-
partmenr, &c. The underclotbing OF the boys is
washed free OF charge. At eleven O'Clock at
night the doors are locked, but generally
before that time the tired newsbOys are all
asleep. The reporter was informed that IN
this building about 200 boys are d0micied at night
at this season. In another building OF this Society,
No. 27 St. Marks place. similar institution for girls
is established, which Is productive OF much good
TIE boys do not nght they kind 10 each
other. do not steal, and there Is an esprit de corps
highly creditabe TO them. Who knows but the
first germs of self respect and ambition are here
implanted In their breasts, which not only will
rescue them from vice, but In the future open to
them honorable careers