The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-10
BRIGHT NEW CENTS.
They Have Been Prayed Over and They
Get Something Out Of Nothing.


Get Something Out Of Nothing.
The Boys Progressive society of the
Claremont Episcopal church in Jersey City
started two months ago to raise money to
build an addition to the church and also to
build house for itself. It's cash capital
was thirteen bright new cents, which were
prayed over. The total membership of the
society was thirteen, and each member was
presented with one of the cents as his work.
ing capital. In the two months the cents
have rolled about the country and collected
about $500 in cash and 81 300 in goods.
Meantime the membership of the society
has increased to thirty boys, and there are
numerous helpers who cannot be members
of the society because they are girls. The
capital has been increased to 81 bright
new cents, nearly all of which are at this
moment travelling either in this country or
in Europe, increasing as they go. Mrs. St.
keeps the cents moving, and the boys write
letters which accompany them on their
journeys. These letters are addressed to
the persons to whom the cents are sent. and
each says that the cent enclosed is either
for sale or exchange, and requests that if
buy or exchange he will please return it.
The first cent sent out by the society went
to President Harrison. The president re-
turned it, but added nothing to it. Mrs.
st. John was little discouraged. but she
wrote across the top Of the letter: This
without any money" Then she sent it by
messenger to Freebooter Frank Ken
needy, who keeps a saloon near her
house and he sent it back with 81 bank
note. She sent the same cent by the same
messenger to her grocer and her butcher,
better for the society than the president.
She returned the cent sent to her together
with ten cents in stamps and ten cards with
her autograph on five of them and the pres
ident's autograph on the other five. These
were put in the club treasury and will be
disposed of for $40 apiece. An offer of s.
apiece has already been received for them
and refused.
Vice-President and Mrs. Morton received
cents among the first that were sent out.
They have neither returned them nor ac
knowledged the receipt of the letters, and
consequently they will receive dunning
letter asking for the return of the cents if
they are not heard from soon. In strong
contrast to the vice-presdent's action is the
promptness with which Mayor Grant of this
city and Mayor Cleveland of Jersey City
each returned the cent with a So bank note.
There are many members of the Clare
mont church of English descent, and. at
their suggestion, cents were sent to Queen
Victoria and the prince and princess of
Wales The prince and princess returned
the cents with thanks, adding that they did
not need them. The queen, perhaps, needed
the one she received, for she did not return
it. Mrs. Meyer has written her another let
ter asking for the return of the cent.
Among the men who have returned the
they received with interest are dozen
members of congress. several United States
senator's innumerable mayors, state SEN
ators, assemblymen, freeholders and alder
men. The boy who has got tie most for his
cent SO far is Walter erode. He is + years
old, and up to April % had received $3.50.
The cent o. one of the helpers has collected
the biggest contribution. It was sent to a
New 70. jeweller, and be gave the society
an oil painting entitled 1.-The Prayer in the
Desert" 1t was No. l. 913 in the Paris salon
in 1887, and is valued by the Boys Progress
siye society at Sl.2oO. 1t will be sold.
Enough money has been collected to build
the addition to the church. and what comes
in nov will be used to build club house.
This will be 8. :wo-stcry building. The
basement will be used as a workshop. where
tie boys will learn to make useful things.
The geound door will be let ont, and the
second floor will be a gymnasium.