The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-03-11
THE n. B. CLUB.

THE n. B. CLUB.
Now, gentlemen, as we have formed oul
&Sciety, move we sail it 'Ihe Workman
frotective Union'-there, how is that for q
ame!n exclaimed Johnny Jones, as he
..soked proudly around the small and
.slect circle composing the society. "There
- everything in q name," continued he,
Ssand an association intended to do such
a rood work ehould have name what is a
na}ae."
81 small room on the top floor of a
cap lodging house, several boys had
hered, and, from their sober faces and
aerly manner, it was evident that some
ling important was going on. Johnny
.8ones, who was addressing the meeting,
h<a the floor. The other boys sat on the
i7se of the beds, while the only chair
sch the room boasted of was occupied
< James johnson, the recently elected
|eident of the society.
think the name should show what
are," exclaimed a manly little fellow,
ping to his feet-"somethiDg like 'Ihe
lrs Boys association or. to make it more
5ret, we could call it 'Ihe NJ B. Club.
Ne are news-boys, and proud of our busi-
N&np; we're honest, if we are poor and II
any one objects to the name, as being too
&&Inb!e, tuey can call the N. B. the
National Benefit Club,' if they like it
Aester."
n. B. seemed to suit the fancy of the
sb0ys 80, without opposition, it was settled
ftsse this was to be the name of the Asso
e&Heion.
AS to the object of the Club, perhaps it
fHn be best explained by giving the speech
48Ade by Jimmy, when he was elected to
tte high Office of president.
J" Fellow news-boys," he, "you've known
Ilss for several years, and guess you'll say
hat I'm hard worker. I've tried to be
you all know that we have our
temptations as we'll as other people. I've
@lways had to look ont for myself, and, un-
btf about a year ago, to take care of my lit
t5e brother Willie; some of you knew him,
md recollect what a kind-hearted, jolly
title fellow he was. Well, worked every
hlways had enough to eat and clothes to
~ear. Then you remember how Willie
Hot sick and was taken to the Brothers
hospital, where he died.
Well, after Willie was gone 1 went
back to my work, but 1 was changed 1
took no pleasure in the theatre or other
amusements. / wanted to be something
letter than had been so l tried to save
tnoney, but somehow it all slipped through
{py fingers, and at the end of year l found
zhyself as poor as at the beginning. 1t
GEMS to me that have always smoked; l
4on't remember when 1 didn't. Well, 1
concluded to try and give it up; and
1Nhen wanted to smoke took the money a
ctgar would cost and put it away, and at
ts7e end of a month had saved a dollar.
42ter that l saved, and saved, and now l
I've twenty-five dollars all my own.
Now, it was the hope that others might
|Sc rs have done that made me get You TO-
ether to- night, and we have formed a
1g&sety, a1d we mean to meet every night
Nge Ngeimprovement, and to encourage each
Dsker to save our money, 80 that when we
are older we can get into better business
hhnn selling papers, and, by keeping out of
the streets, we shall have better habits.
NOW, the rule of the society is that every
sellow is to pay in ten cents a week, to be
leved for him; and, as You have trusted
ne to keep the money, promise to do my
pest; that's all have to say"
The N. B. Club prospered, its members
increased, and the amount of money saved
was considerable. There was serious talk
that 30 large sum ought not to be carried
about by any one boy, but should be deposit
ed in the bank. The subject was to come
up at the very next meeting.
But, when the meeting came, Jimmy
Johnson was not present!
The next day the boys inquired every,
where about Jimmy, but could discover no
trace of him. Was it possible he had run
awayf Had he become a defaulter2 Was
the money lost Great was the conster-
nation of the N. B. Club. Some of the boys
lost confidence in their president, and
openly accused hlm OF going OFT with the
money most of them, however, stood by |
him, and said he would turn up safe and
sound, and the money be found all right.
But what had become of Jimmy9
On the afternoon of the day on which
Jimmy was missing; he was busy selling
papers on the dock near one of the river
1t was just time for the de-
parture of the boat, and there was a great
crowd of passengers Fastening on board.
Jimmy stood near the gang plank, offering
papers to all who passed. The pOisy bell
was ringing to hurry the late passengers on
board when o carriage drove up, and a
gentleman, with his wife and child and
servant, alighted. Jimmy, thinking there
was No chance of selling more papers, was
walking away from the boat, when he heard
\ shout, "A child overbosrdW He imme- |
liately ran back, and there he saw, strug-
Cling in the water, the little girl that, mo-
ment before, had stepped smilipgly from
the carriage. He stood for q moment, as |
H. nkH L. III