The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-18


BOYs' CIUBs.
About 1874 Mr.. John C. Collins when
senior at Yale college was invited 90
become superintendent OF o boys club
IN New Haven, Conn. lie was told that
the club room was large enough Tor
about 100 boys, open during the even
ings Of the colder months % the year,
and supplied with books and games as a
means Of attraction TO tue boys who
wsre won't 10 ale about the streets
with eyes open and hands ready TO en-
gage in any mischief shat might sug-
gest itself
The invitation was accepted but not
without forebodings. The appointed
night came, never 20 be forgotten 10y
Mr.. Collins, who with two classmates
and the former superintendent whom
the boys had "tired OUT the year be-
fore, now approached tho club room
and found themselves in the midst Of a
small army of street boys. The police
man on beat was amazed and over
whelmed. The previous evenings had
been quiet. with scarcely small boy
in sight. Tonight 500 had unexpeet-
eddy descended upon him. He did not
know anything about the club-that is,
this kind Of club. The boys gave him
little time to ask questions. After
little endurance he attacked them,
driving them into another street But
eingle-handed he was unable 10 control
more than one wing OF the small army
at a time. and the other end would
make bold and PERCEPTIONS rush from
him into the street beyond. To both
policeman and humanitarian the case
seemed well nigh hopeless.
The doors were opened and the boys
surged in until the room was packed.
And such a DIM One end u the room
was partitioned of for the games, books
and desk Of the superintendent There
the new superintendent seated himself
and out Of sheer ignorance Of what 20
do. scarcely able even to think, he sat
and looked at the boys without ventur-
ing to utter a word. Perhaps the best
possible thing, for the boys, seeing him
sit there looking at them without O
word. we're brought out Of pure cur.os-
ity TO cease their tumult Mr.. Collins
had prepared "a speech for their benefit,
and when they became quiet he stood
up and made little address, which was
about as follows:
"Boys tremendous applausel we have
opened the club tonight lcries OF
"Goodi" Good" "You don't say sol"
Two boys put out for getting into q
fight. and We intend to make % as
pleasant as possible faryou TINS winter.
rob, cheese n. mistorl' Small boy ia
the corner with very dirty face goes
wild with excitement But, first OF
all, want TO tell you that you must be-
have. l"Shoot il, ola boym and cries
such as "Hit him nginw "Ol you get
outWl Next. no boy can use tobacco ia
this room. Immense excitement. VOLS
and whistles; several boys on thor
mouths with fresh tobacco, one boy put
out Then you must wash your faces
and hands and comb your hair every
Terrific yells Small boy ia the corner
makes numerous coutortIous of face ex
pressive Of his opinion about tho
speaker night before coming to tha
room lsubduod appauseE and SON
must NOT gather in tho street before
half past seven, and now let me tell you
again that you must behave. lcr.es "a
"Ol cork up, mister "Glve Deb Cd rastt"
and no boy viii De allowed m tho room
who does not conduct himself as hl
should. Now We viii give out tickets'
IGreat applause; several fights, one boy
put out; great rush % Size desk foi
tickets.
After quieting thom somewhat taf
ticket issuing vas begun. tsklug Oh,
bows up 10 the uesk one by one. Inter
esting dialogues occurred between ti..
superintondent aud ono or another IA.
thought he knew better bow tie rluI
should be handled, particularly wher
the lad was requested d o. o. tho nari
mart Of tho room and use enau nrl
water. One or two who refused POM
blank to undergo amy such wmHaUu.
ordeal weTe sent out ot tho room anl
told that they might get Gckais or
some other evening Ilo weeks w.u
nv and gradually reasonably good or.ie
was secured. Tie usual maaus 9f dis
ciplining a boy was 90 send h.m out %
the room, allowing him, however. % De-
turn the next evening. li .eal ou
three times, the ticket Was sept frou
him. and he was not allowed 60 ente
che room for a week or tRo. When
,iclxet was kept from h.m in tins va
three times he was expelled Only oc
c.sionally did seyorer means have 20 D
used.
Admission 20 the room was by tickle
containing name, age aud res.deno'
other facts about the boy OF his parent
we're recorded in a book. ia I3year
~ bov presented q ticket with age {