The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-07
A HOME FOR THE NEWSBOYS.
The Latest Field in Which the Charity
Of the City Is Doing a Good Work.
How the Boys Are Treated at the Home-The
Bill of Fare-Licensing Newsboys-Im-
prOyements 70 Be Added.

/ The NeWsboys' Home. occupying the base
ment under the W. G. T. U. lunch room, on
North Pennsylvania street. is a very deserving
charity, of which the general public has heard
comparatively little. The home is conducted by
the Young Peoples Christian Temperance Union,
and has been il operation since the 18th of last
March The object is the general welfare,
education and elevation of the newsboys and
bootblacks of the city, a large per
cent Of whom have no home of
their own. The work heretofore has given
promise of such good results that the managers
are very DESTROYS of greatly extending their
| field, and to that end have authorized Miss Anna
| Shaw to solicit funds for the institution. AS
| soon as guarantee fund of 800 month cen be
raised new quarters will be found where the
boys can be lodged as well as fed, and be given
chance to learn something of the common school
branches. Heretofore the work has been
limited. by the lack of room, to furnish
ing meals and little reading matter
to those who wished to read. The room is
supplied with facilities for games. such as
checkers, dominoes and puzzles, presented by
Charles Mayer & Co.. and such books, papers
and magazines as are from time to time con
tributed. Among the magazines and papers
are the Youths Companion, St Nicholas,
Harpers' Young People and Harpers Illustrated
Weekly. The home is open from early morning
until 8 at night. and the boys can have the free
use of the books, games or blackboard at any
time.
Tie institution, heretofore, has had from
about sixty to one hundred boys, nearly equally
divided as to color. to deal with, but the mana
gers have succeeded in having an ordinance passed
by the Council and Board of Alderman, to take
effect July 8, requiring newsboys and bootblacks
to be licensed which will bring large number,
| to some extent, under the influence of the home.
To procure license boy will have to apply to
Miss Hay, of the homo, and his parents will
have to come with him and give their consent
that he shall either sell papers or carry kit !"
When such permission is given a certificate will
be furnished him, on the presentation of which
and the payment of twenty five cents to the city
clerk, he will be supplied with a numbered badge.
If he has no parents, Miss Hay can sign his GER
tfcate for him.
1t is thought great good will come of this
license system. as the boys will be put on their
good behavior thereby. For any offense against
the law the badge may be taken up, and boy
without badge will not stand much show, as
the other boys will not allow him to compete
with them.
Tue ROOM occupied Oy inc nome at present. IS
divided by partitions into three apartments, fur
nished with long tables and chairs. The front
part where the boys spend much time when
not busy has two long tables, on which are
games and the books and papers; the second was
a long table covered by a white oii-cloth. and
is used as the dning-room, back of which is the
wash-room and kitchen. When a boy comes
in he hangs up his hat and box and goes
to the Mushroom. He then presents himself to
the superintendent, Miss Rossetter and is then
| a IN 10 aS "a or ton
noisy. In the dining room he calls for what he
wants, the bill of fare including meats, potatoes,
eggs, vegetables and soup A bowl of soup costs
three cents dish of vegeta bles two cents and
other things in proportion. Occasionally some
of the boys get 'broke" and ask to be trusted,
which is generally done to limited extent, the
Indebtedness being generally paid with scrupu-
lous honesty The boys consider stand off,
thing to be very much desired. 1t also very
often happens that some become flush" and de-
post money with the superintendent. An &C.
count-book is kept and the boys can draw on the
bank at sight
During the cold weather stories were read
aloud in the evening or a blackboard lesson or
spelling match given These proved entertain
ing and highly profitable. Some who hardly
knew their letters when the home was opened
are able to read quite well. and have gone
through about all the books they have access to-
Several of the teachers in the public schools
will give one night a week to d school to be
started for the boys about the 1st of October.
Miss Hay and Miss RoSetter, Of the home, re-
Gently visited the newsboys' home in Chicago.
and spent some time in looking into the manage
ment of it. Mr. j. G.. Blake, Rev. J. A. Rond-
thaler. Captain E. F. Ritter, Mr. George Cobb
and Librarian W. Do NJ Hooper have been asso-
cated with the board of management of the
home here, and anyone who will subscribe
regular monthly sum can hold an honorary
membership in the association under which the
home was founded.