Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-04
WHERE CAN YOUNG NAN SPEND HIS
EVENINGS?

To the Editor Of the Eagle.
What shall a young man do with his
time between the hours Of 6 p. IN. and 10
p. ms
Perhaps more satisfactory answer
could be given to the inquiry, if we knew
just how the young men do occupy the
time from shutdown until 10 or II p. m.
1t is moderate estimate that we make
when we say that it is a problem with at
least one thousand young men as to
where they will spend the hours of wake
fulness between the close of the days
work and bed times What can young
man do with those early hours of the
night?
Some are at work in the store and shops:
most of them are. however, free when the
whistle blows for p. m.
Some are at home reading, writing and
studying. And let it be said once for all
that there is no better place for anyone,
young or old, at such time, than home.
Some young men spend these hours
walking aimlessly up and down the
stl Gets, or lounging at the corners. Some
spend this period in places where no young
man should ever be found. Some attend
lectures from time to time. Some are in
ings for mutual improvent. Some
attend church. These are some
of the possibilities of those
hours between 1.-The gloming and the
mirk.' that are so difficult to dispose of
satisfactorily. Some of these things are
right and proper and some of them are
bad and vicious, and still the question
presses, what shall a young man do with
his evenings? We make bold 10 answer.
Let him go to the fine stone building on
the corner of First street and Topeka
avenue. There he will flnd a splendid
gymnasium. large and we'll equipped for
physical training. Near the gymnasium
there is splendid bath apartment where
health and purity can be subserved. On
the next floor he will find well lighted
reading room, with newspapers, magazines
and books. There are also well lighted
parlors and reception rooms where he Will
meet his young friends and spend with
them pleasant hour. On the third floor
there are q number of classes formed
where instruction is given in many useful
arts and sciences. This Young Men S
Christian association building is splend-
i'd place to spend these unemployed hours
1t was erected by the people Of Wichita In
order to help the young men who are here
and also to take care of those who will
hereafter come to this city for a short
time or to make a permanent home with
Z
| great extent solves the question as to what
young man Is to do with his evenings.
| What did you say my friend? The build
ing is not complete and can not be used
as you suggest" Well that is so, but it
| is only a question of few months and it
| will be done A new move is on foot and
all the people are coming in with their aid,
| the business men have again taken hold
of it, the young men are at work, the
women and the girls are helping the boys
are taking an interest, help is coming
from home and help is coming from
abroad, the churches are helping. the
newspapers are helping, the board of trade
is helping and the Y NJ c. A. will help
themselves. Help is coming in small
sums and in large sums, the poor are help
! Jug from their small stores and the rich
from their more ample means are sending
in their gifts. Soon the question will be
! answered very satisfactorily as to what a
young man can do with his evenings.
| j. ID. HEWITT.