Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-02
HEARTS MADE HAPPY.
Some of the Pleasant Features of the
New Years Opening Day.
THE NEWSBOYS ANNUAL DINNER.
Usual Entertainment at the o. ?. Orphans
Home in Allegheny.
A FEW OF THE MANY PRESENTATIONS

Over 500 newsboys and bootblacks stand
ing about eight long tables, shouting at the
top of their voices, playing the Devils
Tattoo" on their plates and filling their little
stomachs with good things was the scene
presented yesterday afternoon at their thirty
second New Years dinner in Battery B
Armory.
The dinner was given by the Leader
Publishing Company. Six thousand invi-
tations had been issued to those who wished
to witness the novelty of seeing the gamins
eat, and fully 1000 ladies and gentlemen ac-
cepted.
The tables we're ranged in the center of
the hail, while the visitors were seated on
raised platforms at the sides. The boys were
formed in front of the Newsboys' Home on
Old avenue, and marched to the Armory.
When the door was opened a cash was made
for the tables, and, despite the efforts of the
policemen and attendants, they preserved
but little order. 1t was a wild rush, and a
rush with a cneer.
The tables were filled with many good
things. There was roast turkey and chicken
galore, with other meats, vegetables, oyster
soup, celery, coffee and pastry of various
kinds, especially pie. Pie was in demand
at all times. The youngsters began with pie
and ended with pie, and eat pie between
times, whenever they could get their hands
on their neighbors' property. There was a
great deal OF pie that was not eaten at the
table. 1t was crammed between shirt and
Jacket and after dinner every boy on Fifth
avenue seemed to be eating pie.
HARD TO PREVENT REPEATING.
1t required a sharp eye for the attendants
to prevent repeating. When the tables were
filed it was found that there were fully 200
boys for whom there was no room, and they
were not admitted. There was weeping and
waiing among that crowd as they stood on the
street, and it looked for time as if they in
tended TO reach the festive board if they had
to fight their way in. They were pacified when
told that their turn would soon come; but a
more impatient gang of youngsters it would be
hard to lind.
When the first tables were cleared they were
allowed in the hall, and then came the oppor-
tunIJy for repeating. Many of those who had
Just left the tables fell in behind the newcom-
erS and had another chance at the pie. Many
others. however came to grief when they were
yanked out of tine line by the watchful police
men at the door.
The scene in the hall at the end of the feast
was something remarkable The tables had
been nicely arranged, paper napkins at each
plate and celery in glasses, while for table
cloths there was spotless printing. "Oh. what
a mess" exclaimed lady when the boys had
departed, and that expressed it exactly. It
WAS a mess. for not only the tables but the
floor was strewn with broken food.
1t requires great deal of food TO satisfy $40
bows. and at such dinner there is bound to be
considerable waste. All that was left over was
given to poor families. Captain w. W. Full
wood. of the Leader, had entire charge of the
arrangements for the dinner, assisted by a
large volunteer corps of walters, while the
kitchen was under the care of colored cooks.
The Cathedral Band furnished selections be-
fore the dinner began. but the boys had no
ears for music when pie was put before them,
and the band gave it up.
PRovENDER NEEDED FOR THE DAY.
Just to show what it took to satisf.r the ap-
petites of the newsies, Captain Fullwood stated
that lie had purchased $50 pounds of turkey
ana chicken, 30 gallons of oysters. barrels OF
apples, 60 dozen pies. 400 doze assorted cakes,
of all sizes and style and Is dozen punches of
celery, besides bread, biscuits and NAM other
good things.
The newsboys did not forget their friends,
and one of the most pleasant incidents of the
day WAS the presentation by them of handsome
goid-headed cane to Mr.. c. L. Magee. Three
hundred of the boys gathered in front
of that gentleman's Fifth avenue Office
at II o'clock, and at the appearance of
Mr.. Magee gave three cheers. Then 10-year-old
Paul Riley stepped forward and presented the
cane, telling the recipient that it was in appre.
citation of his kindness to them and to the
Newsboys' Home. Mir. Magee thanked the
boys and wished them Happy New Year.
The cane bears the inscription: &C. L. Magee;
from the Pitisburg Newsboys, New Years,
1891"
The newsboys were not forgotten by the
clothing firm of 1 Jackson & Brother. In the
morning thev gave to the most needy news
boys and bootblacks 100 serviceable overcoats.
The BOYS were marched to the store in squads
of 20 and quickly fitted. As they left the store
each was handed good leather pocket book.
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