St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-26
KIDS AT A BANQUET.
NewsbOyss Christmas Dinner by
Young Ladies in Market Hall.

NeWSDOyS1 Cnr1Stma9 DtnneE ny
Young Ladies in Market Hall.
Mr.. A. S. Tallmadge stood at the door of
the upstairs dining-r0om of Market hall
last night at about $50 o'clock trying to
keep 125 newsboys and bootblacks from
making raid on nine long tables that were
being loaded with solid edibles inside the
room. Occasionally one of the boys
crawled between Mr.. Tallmadges legs, and
with yell made leap across the vacant
space. scooted under the table and was over
in the farther corner of the room before
any one could stop him. Occasionally Mr..
Tallmadge collared one of the youngsters
and gently but firmly withdrew him from
his half-gained entrance. Inside the hall
were representatives of the Young Woman'S
Christian Temperance union preparing
supper for the boys. Plates were laid for
200, but hardly $50 put in an appearance.
They were bowling terrorS, every one of
them, and were in their ordinary working
clothes and state of cleanliness. 1t was
merry Christmas, and whether or not
they had good day of it, there was moth
ing to indicate anything except good nature
and generally satisfied feelings. Miss
Carrie Holbrook had charge of the
banquet. Before it was ready
fifteen or twenty of the urchins had gotten
inside and were sliding around the room,
making unearthly yells and lodging reck-
lessly among the young ladies, who were
pouring coffee and milk into the cups at
each plate, to the imminent danger of get
ting hot coffee spilled over themselves, and
wrecking the tables.
Ibid you boys have tickets to let you
in?" was asked of group that stood still
for minute in corner.
NAV. Tickets? I should say not" re-
piled two or three at once. yves der
committee er reception that wears bou-
quets."
Just then another came up with a flaming
red necktie, and the others at once jumped
him.
''Get on to the juder' said one.
"Where'd yer git yer uniform" said
another.
"Wait till put on my chest protector
ter 60 wild it" said third, drawing from
his pocket high standing collar and plac-
ing it around his neck.
''Gimme der tie. Sweetie," said another.
s'Sweetie's been Jude ever since he was
tree years DID," said another, and so it went
on until Miss Holbrook came up and asked
them to go out and wait until all were ad-
mitted. They seemed to pay more respect
to Miss Holbook's gentle commands than
they did to Mr.. Tallmadge'S struggles. A
sandwich. a cup of coffee, a box of nuts and
candy and any quantity of pie and cake
were got in position for immediate delivery
to the boys as soon as the doors were opened.
Then the boys made rush for seats and the
young ladies were kept busy from that time
on until the feast was devoured. 1t was no
nearer quiet when they were at the table
than before they were let into the hall.
| The kids" were utterly reckless as to the
| noise they made. Seeing a couple of re-
porters they began to guy them.
'Look at the big bootblacks wild the
standin' collars" said one whom the rest
called ''Shorty."
''Der yer want our pictures to print ?"
said another.
''Come an git square meal wild the
rest OF u.s." said third, and before he had
said it ham sandwich had been tucked
down the back of his coat by the one that
sat next him.
''That boy is the worst case in st. Paul,
| believe" said Miss Holbrook. pointing to
an urchin at the end of one of the tables.
Just at that minute he had one arm around
the neck of the ''kid'' next him, and was
busily engaged in plastering jelly cake into
his ear WIN MS ulSengageQ mana. I've
got i'm on der list" said he, as one of the
ladies told him to attend to his supper. ~
can't stop no longer, 'cas have an invite
to dine at der Ryan hotel dis evenin'." said
another when he had had all he wanted
and he had jumped over the back of set
tee in less than second, and was making
flying leap for the door.
Cant you sing something's" asked Mr..
Tallmadge. at one of the other tables.
You bet your life we can," said the en-
tire crowd with exception of one who had
his nose in a cup and couldn't stop; ''we
can sing anything. but 'Tallyhohee' we can
do up like Nervarda. Yer bet we can
sing" But they did not stop. 1t was just
thirteen minutes by the watch from the
time when they were let in until the last of
the boys had jumped over the back of the
settee and was making grand rush for the
| stairs