Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-02
THEY GORMANDIZED,
The Eewsies Enjoyed Their Annual
Feast Very Keenly.
TIE LEADERS, GENEROUS SPREAD
Stays the Ravenous Appetites of Nearly q
Thousand Urchins.
ALMOST A RIOT ON The WAY TO TOWN

ALAVST 4 RIOT Vh The MAI ~ TVhN
Yesterday was day of vast Importance
to Pittsburg's newsboys and bootblacks, the
occasion being the annual dinner provided
for them by the liberality of the Leader
Publishing Company.
Two o'clock was the hour announced, but
long before that time an immense throng had
gathered in front Of the old Fifth Avenue
Market, now barracks of Company "B." OF
the Eighteenth Regiment, Aforesaid throng
being quite prepared to capture the armory,
bag and baggage, notwithstanding its semi
military character
A large number of people were also early
on hand to enjoy the sigh. of 900 hungry
urchins demolishing a feast. The large
armory was tastefully decorated with ma
tional flags. Among the larger banners
were several in which the stars were set in a
black field. This, it is supposed, is deli
cate compliment to the colored guests of
which there was quite a sprinkling. The
capacity of the armory can best be compared
to that of the guests, though both showed
evidence of being unmistakably crsmmed
full toward the last Ten tables were set
with 20 covers each, and the bill Of fare
lacked in nothing requisite for very nice
dinner.
THEY WERE coRRALED.
Promptly at 2P. M. the large doors on
Fifth avenue were thrown open. The COM
manding form of Captain Dan Silvus was
first seen. He was followed by six of the
handsomest officers on the force, and 700
bootblacks and newsboys, all keeping per-
feet step to the well-known air, "Come,
Birdie, Come" rendered in the most ex-
uuisite manner by the Cathedral Band. 1t
was originally intended in the order of
entry that the newsboys should take prece-
dence; but the entire absence of regalia with
either society created some confusion, and
led to the unfortunate mistake alluded to.
The soldier-like manner in which the va
rious squads filed to their respective places
was a marvel Of military tactics At 15
minutes past the covers were removed,
and the first course-oyster soup-was dis
cussed. The more prominent of the guests
were in full dress, but Prince Albert coats
were worn as a rule, with an occasional
exception of plain business suit.
at least a decade older than the
wesrer, and being almost cloalks, gave the
newsy who was the proud possessor of so
much grandeur Spanish effect. The busi-
ness suits were strictly utilitarian. Upon
many of them appeared the patient patch
work of Mr.. Druitt, who is an expert in the
sewing on of necessary additions to urchin-
ical raiment Some Of the young gentle
men appeared in their shirt sleeves, but ex-
plained that this form of costume was prefer
able on account of the ground and lofty
tumbling and other acrobatic ieats which
distinguish the entrance of the final courses
of the feast. The conversation began to en-
liven with the second course, and many
sprightly sallies Of wit and repartee gave
added zest to the affair. The dignifed man
ner, and, in many instances, even courtly
bearing of the guests, was the subject of
much favorable comment and furnished uu-
deniable evidence of good breeding.
THEY ENCoRED GRACE.
One little incident occurred at the incep-
tion of the feast which struck some of the
lookers-on as rather a departure from the
ordinary methods, and while not really IN
itself an evidence of wrong intent or gross
disregard of public feeling, was still a very
radical departure from the custom gener-
&
was loudly and vociierously applauded, and
three times most earnestly, almost appeal
lngly encored. For moment there was a
lull of expectancy, but that brief time served
to determine the matter; there was no re-
sponse-
True there were occasional little ineli-
gances noticed here and there such as a nap
kin tucked in at the neck, or a spoon lett in
the saucer but as q rule the most perfect de-
corum prevailed. Toward the close of the
feast there was a little innovation and
an occasional voice could be heard asking
for something across the table In a vernacu-
lar entirely unknown in the East End, such
as ''say, Gully shove the turkey this wav;"
"heave us a chunk Of that bread;" kick over
them taters," etc. This created so much
mirth TINT the spirit of emulation very soon
displayed itself Biscuits, pieces of pie and
other little things were playiully thrown
from one end of the table to the other.
MAKING THINGS LIVELY.
The scene was somewhat further enliveued
by beating a tattoo on the plates with knives
and forks and finally reached the zenith of
its interest on the opening of the orange and
cake boxes when 200 voices in sweet accord
shouted and shouted again, ''gimme some,
gimme some"
When all were served the west end
doors were thrown open and the
jewellers marched out. On reaching the
door some Of the more sportive of the bows
threw in a few empty oyster cans, pieces of
pie and other such little trifies which of
course they had no further use for. Their
departure was the signal for the entry of
another set who filed three tables and
themselves, too, in pretty quick order. In
due time they, too, marched out and Joined
a number of their friends in the innocent
amusement of throwing mud, sticks, ETC., at
the conductors on the Fifth avenue car line.
All in all, everything passed off most de-
lghttully. The tables contained a quantity
of rich, seasonable and substantial good
things-well, the columns of the Leader
generally do also. The management de-
serve great credit not alone for the liberal
spirit displayed, but for the mastery con-
duct of their annual dinners.
Some Of the spectators at this juncture
who had seats nearest the tables (most
likely relatives or intimate social friends of
the guests) besought the walters for oranges,
apples, etc, and displayed great dexterity
as eatchers when the coveted edibles were
hurried up. Quite a lively scramble was
witnessed among q bevY of young ladies
when bunch Of the bills of fare we're
thrown up,
They (the bills Of fare, in fact the girls.
too,l were handsomely gotten up, displaying
excellent photo-lithographs of Mr.. Neyin |
and the building of the Leader Publishing
Company. The bill of fare proper was sur.
rounded by appropriate scroll work appar-
emily unfurled to the breeze, and held by
two angels and two newsboys, two at the ton
snd two at the bottom, the angels bv the
request of the newsboys being above. the
latter, of course, on an occasion of this KIND
preferring to remain below.