St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-02

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AM citation. This was
%lA instituted by Col.
A HIGHLAND, who sue
HIT mn ceeded in arousing
VW tIJI interest in the
@Ea vi needs of the news
49, boys, and who also
succeeded In gaining demonstration of
the impracticability of his ideas of meet
ing these needs. When the institution,
he had been the means of establishing,
went to pieces, Miss Grace Johnston,
who had always had the welfare of the
newsboys at heart, was frank in express
ing her disgust at the failure. Talking
on the subject one evening
at the residence of the late
Charles T. Corning. he agreed to furnish
club room for newsboyS if Mrs. john
stOn would assume control OF it. Ac-
cordingly quarters were engaged for
four months on East Seventh street with
the intention OF experimenting, finding
out if there was any possible plan for
really benefiting the boys, or if it were,
as the last effort had proved, only Wis
ionary. The room was carpeted, cur
tanned, new furniture and coal stove
were placed in it, and games provided
for the boys amusement. ''SOft soap
for us, amt it, kids" was the universal
verdict of the boys. The object of the
home was, and Is now, to furnish re-
treat from the street for boys and to help
them as individual needs demand. Boys
who were in the habit of sleeping in
the streets were looked after. Ii they
had no homes where they might go,
quarters were provided for them, and
if unpleasant relations with parents
was the cause, Miss Johnston sought to
effect reconciliation between the boys
and their parents. Failing in this
effort was made to get the
BOYS INTO THE REFORM SCHOOL.
MissJohnSton has the highest possible
opinion of the influence which this
truly reformatiye institution has on a
boys character, and so well known is
her opinion among the boys that any
evidence of her particular affection tor
any one of them inspires the boy with
fear.
II don't want yer to get to thinkin'
anythin' of me, 'cause I'll hev to go to
the ref if you do" is what usually
meets her affectionate advances. She
tells of couple of the boys who were
at one time especially averSe to the idea
of life in reform school. They COM
mitted burglary, and the, penalty of
their miSdoings was term in the peni-
Tertiary for any one over sixteen years
of age. They begged like troopers to be
sent to the reform school, instead of
states prison, and their prayer was
granted. Miss Johnston took them out
herself, without guard. and
the boys made no 80 attempt to
escape. Their associates could not
understand why they did not, but if the
boys fail to comprehend honor in one
another, each unconsciously gives evil
dence OF it in himself, Miss Johnston
is wont to get the boys out Of the sta
ton house by giving her word for their
appearance at trial. She has
NO SECURITY BUT THE BOYS WORD,
and on no occasion, she says, did one
break faith with her. They have con-
scientiOus Scruples against doing any
thing to get her into trouble, and will
keep the promise made to her if 1t costs
them freedom.
When the four months for which Mr..
Corning engaged the room on East SeY-
enth street had elapsed, so much good
work had been done that he extended
the lease for two months and continued
for that length of time to bear the eX
penses unaided. But at the end of that
time he found help in Messrs. E. w.
Peet and W. "a. Howard, and On the
first of last October the club took up its
present abode in the basement of the
chamber of commerce. The quarters
now occupied are extremely pleasant.
The walls of the room are kalsomined
and decorated with pretty fancies that
/ betray woman'S work. The floor is
painted, and the room is supplied with
wash room where the boys are obliged
to wash face and hands before taking
up any of the books or games, and a
closet where they hang caps and black
ing boxes. Xmas the home was
presented with library that is a
neYer-failing source of delight to the
boys. Often of an evening as many as
forty boys may be seen seated around
It is true "Tattered Tom" Ragged
Dick" 1.-THE Young Outlaw" and
similar tales are at premium among
them, but the rise from nickel libraries
must be gradual to be sure, and
there is growing taste in them for
Dickens, Scott. and even historical
tales. The behavior of the boys while
in the club room is wonderfully good.
In year Miss Johnston has had impu-
dent talk from but two of them. There
seems to be something
REFORMATIvE IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
Lips most given to oaths and Obscenity
on the street, seldom or never forget
themselves in the home. When the
once to beg Miss Johnston'S .'puddin."
Her first efforts at reform in con-
yersation always. elected an amiablei
cpd say what I'd oughter say eff L
+ knowed how to say it." They talk
largely in gibberish, what amounts to
them to a language of their own. 1t is
formed by adding ly to short words and
adding long a to the tranSpoSed Svl-
tables of long words. 'sIogay emay alley:
ewchay," is neWsboy talk for sGive me
cheW;" bigger" means Let up," and
s'Le roo ebay cheroo," a warming,
police coming-lOok outr'
The past winter many boys have slept
out of doors, and it is found that nine
out of ten who commit crime are those
who have no place where they can go
for the night. 1t will be seen at a
glance that home which provides
lodging for the boys is necessity. The
last act of the late Mr.. Cornings was to-
engage house for this purpose on the
corner of Robert and Eleventh streets.
1t is an old fashioned house, containing
twelve rooms and cOmmOdiouS bath
lOOA1s 4iAfoo oOuAotOA ooJO OHV WOO
bound to have bath room, if she could
not have anything else. The walls of
the sitting room have been tastefully
decorated in two shades of terra Gotta,
and beautiful effects obtained at small
expense. The floors of the sleeping
rooms have been painted, and govern
ment iron beds with Wire-Woyen springs,
ordered for them. Good mattresses
and pillows will be provided,
but no effort at adornment
in the sleeping apartments will be made.
Circulars were sent out a month ago,
petitioning aid from the public in fitting
up the home. Generous response has
been made, over $1,000 having been re-
ceiyed, but funds are needed for fur
nishing the house. An effort to secure
these funds will be made next Tuesday
and Wednesday nights, to which it is
hOped the public will show aDprecia-