The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-30
CHILDREN OF THE PUBLIC.
The Newsboys' Supper Given by the Young
Peoples Christian Temperance Union.


The newsboys and bootblacks of the city were
given another supper by the Young Peoples
Christian Temperance Union last evening, at
their rooms on North Pennsylvania street The
charitable project of giving to the children of
the street an occasional feast was conceived by
this organization of Christian young people four
or FIVE months ago. and the experimental bits
of the good that could be accomplished
in this way proved satisfactory that it was de-
cideG to continue the good work. The fourth
supper was given last evening, and it is the in
tention to gather the neglected children to-
gether at these feasts as often as once month
for the purpose not only of feeding them, but of
nstructing them. Tickets of admission are
distributed to the newsboys through the
agency of the newspaper offices, and
are given to bootblaeks by members of the union.
There were over hundred children who pre-
scented these tickets at the door of the Christian
Temperance Union rooms last night and passed
in. Among them were boys and girls, black and
white, from fifteen inches high to fifteen years
old. Many Of them were ragged and
dirty, but there were number who were
quite we'll dressed and it was evident that nearly
all had given some little attention to improving
their personal appearance for the occasion Their
behavior was better than would be supposed, al
though far from being perfect. They manifested
some Impotence over the delay in bringing the
cake and ice. cream and occasionally outbreaks
of disorder had to be quieted by the reminder
that they were little ladies and gentlemen" and
were 1.-The company of the ladies'" half hour
was spent in singing Sunday school songs. and
they were then entertained with recitations by
young ladies and gentlemen belonging to the
union They applauded enthusiastically by
clapping their hands, and most of them seemed
to really enjoy the exercises. An illustrated ad
dress on temperance was one of the features of
the moral instruction. The speaker was Miss
Reed, a lady quite well known in the work of
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
How many of you have ever drunk
ardF was asked and hundred or more hands
were instantly raised. the smaller urchins stand
ing on their chairs in their frantic endeavors to
get recognized as having knowledge on the ques
ton.
What is it that makes drunk?'
alcohol, answered the children In concert.
SIN what drinks do they put alcoholW
'Whisky'-'B Bier in"-''Rum"- ssCider"
-''No, not Cider"
''There appears to be some difference of opin-
ion among you about cider. Does it have alco-
hol in itl'
"Yes"-''No."
'The truth is, children, cider has more alcohol
in it than beer has Now, can you tell me what
1t is that you think WlthW
'The BRAIN"
'sAnd the brain is like the white of an egg, is
it not2"
'.Yes"
"And how does the white of an egg change
when you put it in hot water9"
'1t gets white and hard"
The speaker here broke an egg and poured the
white substance into glass of water directing
the attention of the children to the fact that it
did not change She then poured it into glass
containing alcohol, and in a moment the effect
was to change it to the appearance of a
poached egg. You see, children, what
effect alcohol has on the egg 1t makes it hard.
The egg is like the brain, you know, and the
brain becomes hard when you drink alcohol,
just as this egg is You all know what danger
there is in drinking alcohol"
At the newsboys' social about month ago, it
was announced that on the next day, all who de-
sired could call at the rooms and sign pledge
that they would abstain from the use of alcoholic
stimulants and all kinds of narcotics There were
twenty five who came around voluntarily and
signed the pledge
After an hour had been spent in the manner de-
scribed each boy and girl was given plate with
paper napkin, after which dozen neatly
dressed young ladies served to each of them two
slices of cake with icecream. This was quickly
devoured, and some of the more INSCRIPTIONS
tried, by deception, to get second supply
They became somewhat boisterous in their cries
for ''cake!" but they were kept in restraint
pretty well by being frequently reminded that
it was expected that they would behave
just as they would in lady's house. After the
supply of cake and ice-cream had been exhaust
ed, they were addressed by Rev. Hunter and
Mrs Josephine Nichols, who spoke to them in sim
pie language of how great men had risen from
humble conditions of life, and they were en-
couraged to follow these examples The words
of the speakers were listened to with interest
and it was evident that they made some impress
sion on the minds of the more intelligent chill
dren vet there were u3anV who lost all iutereSt
In the proceedings after the disappearance of
the ice-cream and cake. It was an OCCASION
however, from which they derived much pleasure
and benefit.