St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-21
de KIDS" OF A CITY.
"Newsies" and "ShinerS"Of
Minneapolis Are a Sharp
Set.
Keen Witted Little Toughs
Who Can Care for Them
selves.
How They Live and How They
Earn Their PreeariouS
Living.
Some Who Have Saved Money
and Launched Into Bust
ness Life.

'Shine, Mister! Morning paper?" is
heard in shrill tones every day on all
the business thOrOughfareS. Little
gamins in tattered clothes and UNI
washed faces. dart hither and thither,
now on the pavement, then boarding a
passing street car. Somebody whistles
for paper, and about twenty boys join
in the race to see who will reach the
stranger first and dispose of a paper.
1t is good natured rivalry, and those
who fail scatter about to find other
customers.
The newsboy and bootblack form a
peculiar element in all cities. Many of
them have been accustomed to street
life from early childhood. Drunken
parents turn them out to live or die as
best they may. They generally live
ened by contact with the practical side
of life. Their bright eyes and ready
tongues show that adversely is power
full educator in some directions. The
thoroughbred newsbOy swears, chews
tobacco and smokes cigarettes at all
times and places. ''How old are yOuT'
l.
not appear to be over ten years of age.
He replied that he was sixteen, and
had ''shined' shoes or sold papers for
years; had rather sleep in dry goods
box in back alley than in any christ
ian institution ever devised for his COM
fort; didn't care anything about good
clothes so long as he didn't freeze in
winter; was determined to have
THREE SQUARE MEALS
every day in the year, and to indulge In
candies, fruit or daintieS from the bak-
cry on every possible occasion.
About 800 of these boys may be found
minneapolis. Their ages range from s to
16, although they appear much younger
Smoking and hardshipS of all sorts prob
ably combine to retard their physical
development. They are we'll hardened.
No weather, be it ever so cold Or damp,
can keep them Off the street.
Inquiry shows that some have homes
and help materially in supporting other
members of the family. Some have for
gotten ali about their parents and are
inclined, like TOpsy, to think that ''they
jest grOwed." Others are orphans.
Their life is that of the merry Bohemian.
A few hours hard work from early
morning to the middle of the forenoon,
side of some building, play jackstrawS
and indulge in rough and tumble wres-
thing matches, run errandS or carry
messages occasionally lest life should
become mOnOtOnOuS, then sell evening
papers. Later they feast on red-hotS
and ham and egg sandwiches. After 9
o'clock in the evening the majority have
disappeared. 'Where? someone asks.
1t isn't easy to say. The newsbOY has
so often proved to his own satisfaction
his ability to look out for himself, that
he resentS any attempt to patrOniZe or
protect him. Accustomed to regard
humanity in general as
OBJECTS OF SUSPICION,
he looks upon any institution for his
benefi as a huge joke. He has horror
of being obliged to take lectures on
Christianity along with food and raj
ment furnished by well meaning phil
anthropists. He wants to hold himself
free to attend theaters, prize fights.
state fairs, base ball, or any other civil
lied kind of amusement. He had rather
''hook' his way than use ticket. If
given ticket, he straitway sells it. and
takes in the amusement just the same.
He has learned to read and knows
enough arithmetic to manage his bust
ness.
SHOW much do you make day?' was
asked.
about two bits "a quarter regular
days. Sometimes So or 81 day, when
there's an election Or murder, or a
railroad accident. It's great selling
them" was the reply.
MANY make an average of IS cents a
day. BE it much or little, all is apt to
be spent as soon as earned
1t has been noticed that some of these
boys rise above vicious associations and
become good citizens. A few ladies in
the city have earnestly endeavOred
to give the boys comfortable home and
opportunities for Improvement. A
neWsboys' and boOtblacks' savings club
was organized July 6, 1888. One boy
has $3.50 saved, another 1925, and many
have small amounts laid up against a
rainy day.
A home was established nearly two
years ago for orphans. The house was
donated by a charitable citizen. Meals
and lodging were furnished at the
merely nominal price of 20 cents day.
About nineteen are at the home. 1t is
supported by subscription, and has had
several hard struggles for existence,
but is now enjoying
FAIR DEGREE ON PROSPERITY.
A night school has been held during
the winter. The boys innate propensity
for mischief and fun make the school a
lively place, but it cannot be doubted
that it has been real help. The
license money charged one year has
been applied for the boys benefit.
Several have grown up to be successful
business men. One is running S6O,000
hotel in Dakota. Others have learned
trades or gone in business.
"They always make good business
men if they will only be steady in their
habits" said lady who takes a great
interest in the boys. but they are
generally little ashamed of having
been neWsboys. One bOOtblack is al
ready developing some ability as an en-
bryo contractor. He has half a dozen
shining outfits which he lets out to
less fortunate boys, collecting certain
percentage of their gross earnings. He
says his income ranges from S1.75 to 50
per day, and he don't have to do much
work himself. He brides himself on
his ability as a financier."
A gymnasium has recently been eS-
tabllshed. greatly to the delight of the
boys. The room is well lighted and
warmed. The boys will be allowed
every reasonable freedom. One said in
a disconsolate tone: I'VE can't smoke
nor swear nor fight over there; that's
pretty hard on kid volts been used to
such Injuries" But the boys display a
great deal of genuine gratitude to Mrs.
Farr and other ladies who take a great
interest in them. They speak of Mrs.
FAIR as mother evidently having
been convinced by
SEVERAL. YEARS EXPERIENCE
that she has their well-being and i'm
provement at heart. One is attending
business college, and is one of the
brightest pupils. Another writes in
contrite tone from behind prison walls,