The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-06
An Evening with tho Game Class.

Say, Mike, how many apples yer got"'
''Ho Patsy got licked last night, Ell! PatP'
"Stop that now, or I'll lick yer! "Golly,
amt yer most tired waitingg
These and many more such expressions
came from group of boys who were gather
ed around door way on Free street. Above
them doomed the transparency with Fra
ternity'' on it, and these boys were waiting
for the doors to open.
When they are finally opened the boys
rush pell-mell up the stairs, yelling and
fighting like lot of wild Indians
You think they have come here to study
and recite their lessons?
No, indeed, they have not, because it's
Saturday evening, and on Tuesdays and Sat
urdays, "Jinks! but we have the good times
ON them evenings" was told by small ur-
chin.
1t is really so, for on these evenings the
Game Glass meets here for regular good
time.
There are two large play rooms provided
with all sorts of toys. We entered the play
room of the older boys first. What good
time these boys were havingl Some playing
checkers, others playing ipool, or dominoes,
or nine pins, or marbles, or swinging ON the
bars, and all talking, shouting and chewing
gum with vigor and enthusiasm wonderful
to see. Such noise! Mercy exclaim-
ed and looked up, but, thank. goodness, the
roof was still safe in its place.
The scene in the other room was the same,
but the noise if possible worse. My! but
the little rascals did enjoy it hugely.
These dirty, ragged. vicious, forlorn little
chaps come here twice week to have such a
good time as they cannot enjoy anywhere
else.
Here is a white-headed, baby-faced little
fellow about seven years old; he is news
boy and proudly tells you that the boys call
him "Toughey" See that vicious looking
one with the swapping black eyes? He is a
hard customer and needs watching That
little chubby-faced one has just been dec
GRATED with new badge. and is so proud of
it he keeps touching it all the time.
They all wear badges, and as these boys
belong to the Fraternity Primary the badges
have the letters F. P. and number on them.
These badges cost but eight cents, but some
of the boys find it hard work to get even this
From the play room we go into the library
Here the more quiet boys read OF look at
picture books. There is a great demand for
books with bright pictures and short stories
After an hours play Col Harrington, the
head of this enterprise, collected all the boys
in one of the play rooms.
Quiet being at last obtained by the vigor-
Gus ringing of bell, the Colonel told them
he wished to say few words to them. He
asked them if they did not wish to return
thanks to Mr. Stockbridge for his kindness
il allowing them to attend an entertainment.
To this the boys gave an emphatic and ire
mendous Eyes, sir" Then in few words
he told how one of their number had most
generously given away his ticket to this en-
tertainment to little boy who was crying
because he had lost his.
To shouts of 'sWho is the boy?" the Col.
answered, HE is here tonight, and his name
is John Diamond" One of the boys shouted
Lets give him clapping." And they did
give him one and good one too, for he de-
served it for his generosity. After few
more words the boys were dismissed.
1t is my belief that this Game Class is do
ing great deal of good among these boys.
Let us help the good work as much as we
can. Have you no toys, books, old clothes,
bright pictures that you can give? Save all
your two cent pieces for month and then
buy book or some toy that shall make many
forlorn, miserable little wretch happy for
whole evening. Go down and see these boys
enjoying themselves and see if you don't feel
repaid for your self-sacrifice.
A VISITOR.