Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-01-16
A Good Way so Save R0ys from
Ruin.

n G0Ou way so save R0ys from
Communication in the New York SUM-
/ happened to be in Salem, Mass, dur
ing Thanksgiving week, and was invited
by a young lady to attend a meeting of
what is called THE Fraternity where
I passed one of the most pleasant even
ings of the year. This unp~retentious
institution invites the boys of the streets,
in their rags even, to- come to its we'll
lighted and comfortable rooms TO talk,
to play at games, to listen to music, to
read, apd, if they choose, to be otherwise
instructed. The main room in this es-
Enlistment is devoted to amusements,
and is fitted up Ike a restaurant, with
small tables and four chairs or stools to
each table. AT the end Of the room op.
posite the entrance is a piano, which is
occasionally played during the evening,
and often accompanied with singing.
At the entrance of the room there is a
dais, on which sits the lady directress Of
the room, who acts as orderly and gives
out the articles for amusement, such as
checkers, dominoes, puzzles, etc., all
gambling games being prohibited. The
visitors come in sometimes singly, some.
times in parties, and either sit and con.
verse, watch others play, or play them
selves. As soon as a party is formed
it applies to and receives from the
directress whatever il may require for
the game it proposes to play. Adjoin-
ing this room is a reading room, where
daily and weekly papers, magazines,
~engravings, ETC., are kept; and con-
nected with this is a public library con-
tanning about 1900 volumes, which is at
the disposal of the visitors. Still another
room is devoted to such as desire to be
instructed in the rudiments Of educa-
ton, or even in more advanced studies.
Once q week an amusing or instructive
lecture suited to the tastes and capaci.
ties of the boys is given. Two or three
gentlemen, assisted by a corps of ladies,
have thus far in turn given their gratu-
itous attention to the institution, one or
two gentlemen and two OF three ladies
attending each evening. The boys are
not held in duress for a moment. They
come in when they please and go out
when they are tired, without ever asking
permission. They talk, play, read, look
at pictures, or study, as they feel dis
posed. All that is required Of them is
to behave themselves as much like gen.
tlemen as they know how.
Although the evening visitors vary
from two hundred to six hundred, it is
rare that anybody has to be sent away
on account Of misconduct. Sometimes
there is unwonted excitement over a
game, but usually a few persuasive words
from the directress Gains the storm and
all is quiet again. These outbreaks are,
however, ~infrequent. The humanizing
effect Of thus holding boys together with.
out any restraint but that Of their "
comfort and enjoyment seems truly won
derful, as shown in their improving
cleanliness, tidiness and self.respect.
The library aud reading-room are we'll
patronized, and out Of the large number
Of books which have been taken out of
the library by the boys not more thar a
half dozen are believed to- have been
finally lost, although no other pledge is
exacted for their return than the name
and residence Of the individuals %receiv.
ing the books. The expense Of the
institution thus lar has not much ex.
ceeded $1,000 q year, including rent,
lights, fuel, binding of books, a janitor
and incidentals. The library, newspa-
pers, ETC., have been contributed. The
privileges Of the library have been ex-
tended to girls, and it has been suggested
that an amusement room should also be
provided for them.