St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-05

or scion of ariStOcracy M IN |
could receive with such IN J~A
inSolence or cool disdain | 1M /LIUA
any overtures to win theii ~ aAl@
regard or even attention CO
Their nOmadic lives and rough experience
seems to blunt all interests save those which
seem to lead them to rPpel good influences.
They are genuine cynics, and devout be-
levers in the theory of seeing is believ-
ing" Their confidence must first be gained,
but once possessed, it
Is THERE FOR KEEPS.
as the boys would express it. Mrs. Fairs
experience on that night was such as would
have discouraged most people. She had
just got the boys seated in circle, and was
trying to interest them with a pleasant
little talk when suddenly the light went
out. chairs were overturned aud three of
the larger boys organized themselves into a
committee to eject the venturesome little
lady from the room, or in their own words,
to pitcher down stairs" They didn't do
it, however, for when Mrs. Farr called upon
them to light the lamp they obliged her,
probably wondering why they did it. Not
withstanding this rather unpleasant episode
Mrs. Farr continued to hold weekly meet
ings, and ransacked her memory for histor-
zeal stories that would be likely to interest
the boys, and endeavoTed to present Bible
tales i'll way which she thought
would attract and amuSe, but
apparently without effect, for
the boys seemed possessed with a spirit of
mischief that apparently knew no bounds
nor conditions. They would be apparently
as serious as a coroner's jury, attentive and
quiet, when suddenly every chair in the
room would be suddenly overturned. and
the widest confusion would enSue. Mrs.
Farr was discouraged. but still kept up a
series of monthly meetings at the hair store
which she had established on NicOllet ave-
nue.. The next fall something happened
that gave her fresh hope. One evening
nine ragged and dirty boys called upon her
and presented her with the biggest. ripest
watermelon that their joint purses (?) could
buy and united strength could carry.
They explained that they kinder wanted
for to treat her, ben' as she had been SO
good to 'em." That evening meant water
melon for the BOYS and a
WATERLOO FOX MRS. FARR.
The melon was cut up and served, and
must have had a mellOwing influence, for
the boys fingered. and for once talked about
themselves and their condition. Finally,
one little chap who hailed from ST. Louis
and whose begrimed face seemed to be an
indignant protest against any refining inf1u-
ence, pulled out a mOuth-Organ and played
Home. Sweet Home" with pathns that
brought tears to the eyes of the several ladies
who happened to be present. Another boy,
Frank Wyman, took the mouth organ. and
after knocking it on his knee lust to get
the sour krOut out of it." he said. repeated
the strains of the old song with such eX-
preston that the determination to help
those boys was strengthened ten fold in the
hearts of Mrs. Farr and her friends. The
watermelon reception broke the ice. The
monthly meetings were kept up. A Thanks
giving dinner was given, at which thirty
seven boys were present. On New Years
day they called in body and wished many
happy returns of the day" with an earn
estness that was pathetic. In the
fall of 1888 the BOOtblacks' and NewsboyS'
Saving club was formed, officers duly elected
and installed and set of bylaws adopted
which prohibited smoking and swearing in
the club rooms which was the digniied
name given to the basement beneath Mrs
Fairs store in the Syndicate block. Then
followed the Christmas celebrations, at
which jack knives, the fondest treasure a
boy ever possessed, and candies were dis
tributed. The club has been continued up
ship Of 337 newsbOyS and boOtblacks. for
these are the only professions eligible
Thanksgiving. Christmas and New Years
are always celebrated. and in addition an
excursion to the lakes over the motor line
has become as well established as the
Fourth OF July celebration of Independence
day. Each Friday night sOciableS are held
which are rarely attended by less
than a hundred boys, and each
evening this room in the basement
witnesses a gathering of boys, who come
to keep out of the cold and enjoy the de-
lights of the modest gymnasium the estab-
lshment affords. The moral and educa-
tiOnal effect of this club room" is easily
to be diScerned. No less than seventeen of
the boys have been weaned from their
street life and have entered upon useful
lives.
FRANK WYMAN,
who was one of the three boys who were
going to throw Mrs. Farr down stairs at
the first newSbOyS' meeting ever held in the
city, is now proprietor of drug store at
the corner of First avenue south and Fifth
street, and aided by those who have inter
ested themselves in his behalf is building
up trade that is likely to make him soon
a prosperous business man. lie is a MEM
AYERS is one of the ''SmarteSt and best
looking boys in Minneapolis" Several
other of the boys are jouneymen BARRIERS,
one is a farmer at Campbell, Mimi.
another is in the business of framing pictures
Several are cash boys in stores. with good
chances of promotion, and so on. Not all
the boys have turned out this well. There
are black sheep in every flock. and nearly
an equal number are now inmates of the
reform schools. while others have wan
dered OFF to other cities. but it can be ven
tured that the one controlling influence for
the better in their lives can be
traced back to the lessons and talks
to (which they listened in the news
boys and boOtblacks' club rooms. The
founder continues her work, abundantly
thankful when she gets ''hi. there, Mrs.
Farr." or good morning." from some
knight of the backing brush or a lusty
newsboy. for they all take off their hats TO
her now and never pass her by without
some sign of cordial recognition. AS soon
as she can arrange her business and domes-
tic affairs. she expects 10 devote Lar time