New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-29
TRAINING BOYS IN VICE.
THE VILE RESORTS TO WHICH DISTRICT MEssEN-
GERS ARE SENT

THE VILE RESORTS TO WHICH DISTRICT MLssEN-
GERS ARE SENT
Pushing his quarter through little window
on the right Of the vestbule, where II was taken by
bloated ruian whose cruel sensual mouth barely con
ceacd by the purple black moust1che, and spindle
shanks arrayed the tighos OF pants rs he would
himself term them suggested a huge human spider
lurkin In it's den the reporter received IN exchange
greasy slip OF pastebOaTd, pushed open the battered
swlngn door, delivered mp his check and found him
self within the tawdry "palace" OF dissipation Down
stairs on the polished floor few couples were treadng
the dismal mazes OF what appeared TO be qadle, TO
the muse furnished by a small orchestra ensconcel in
an acoye at The further end Of the gaery-circed room
UPSTAIRS IN the galleries the real patrons
and supporters OF the place, boys fresh from college, IN
firm old whose scanty gray hairs seemed but 10 nten
sify the red puness OF the swollen cheek and Dubious
nose whose -crupuousy neat and quiet attire 10
hut foil to the hard keen eyes aud urve degdnces
o he professional gambler here and there one Of those
blekguarls who have sounded lowest depth OF hui
man degradation and who owe the liquor in their
glasses and scedy raimen TO the percent
age they draw the wages of sin earned by their
wretched partners. Among the women monotonous
sameuess Of expression varied only in degree due to the
length Of their apprenticeship In the hard shop Of fe
twice told Offering little ~ novelty or Interest to
the mornlst OF student OF city and customs,
save for one element Here and there standing by the
small sloppy tables which loaded with glasses and an
occasional bottle OF nominal champagne, sometimes
sitting down aud waiting while diamond bedecked
hand scrawls a mis- spo led note In struggling I'M
formed characters, may De seen chubbychceked boy
from twelve TO fifteen years Of age. Ills round eyes
which ought have been closed In sleep hours agoopen
In wOnderment or twinkle Ia COmpr hcnding enjoy
mcnt at purposrless curse or riOald JEST one
naturally thinks OF the society for the Fro ection OF
Children and Ia to one OF their agents cDOw
through the crowd hoar of with him that curly head
atn.a NJ IRA IA Cl
payne to his lips \ second glance however, recalls
the fact that the lads all dressed alike, and that
their neat uniforms and baiged caps apparently ron
them Of OF the interest would attach to them were
thew the children circus performers As the
curly-headed yonngser sets his glass down aud starts
for the narrow leading down 10 the entrance the
reporter touches him on the shoulder.
sit here for few minutes und tax 10 me and
Won shall have this half-dOliir."
The boy hestaios with cyidont dread OF being gu'e
sight ~ the bride oNercomcs ms scrhPrs ana NJ
sit on The edge char with that cNlsperatugY pa
cnt look only possessed by messenger boys ana duhs
"Tbiroen next June. aud I've been with the company
nigi on eighteen months. DO ! often come Ia these
Iaoes why yes, boys night du,y often get
10 find the people they are addressed to sometimes.
lave 10 ust 90 around and ak every whether the
name on the note belongs to them They get mad 100
sometimes, and curse us awful Yes sir I've got toIrr
ably used IL now. but didn't Ike II az all al hrSt
Yo see didn't know what sort OF people they WERE nut
YOU bet they OF them get round me nov; ON, I'm
pretty y for q boy OF my age. | have 20 be, Tor we
OF en- get places nan tins aud nave 10 DC
mighty careful. GA, yes, SIR; I've got mother and
good one too. Well don't know as she knows dr-dchty
what sort OF places 20 but then mother don know
much OF that OF thing anyway Icnnt help ~ can
l. sir I've Just got to 20 where I'm sent supposr'-
here curry head assumes an ar OF injured hhocehGS
which increases the babyish look Of his face. tai
woman dressed In black with tired look In her large
eray eyes stops leans and kisses him. and goes on
her way as She nothing The boy wiles
his lips with the back OF his hand and grns Ihey To
good lot after u and often and often they give me
n Sin of wine. oh, Il has effect me now,
air: Pm used 10 H. you know. You get used 10 mighty
lot air when you've been messenger boy as long a.
have and catching up lis lat he ned out his hand Tor
me promised haldollar and running OF when the
reporter SAID Where are you going with the note
Johnny Z" "Weil can't tell you that, SIR Ganst tho
rompanys rules. But IT'S worse place ny htAp than
this ana be lodged down the stairs The reporter i0l
lowed and passed into the street with jumbo OF
strauss aud " aldteuiel ringing III his ears