The morning call., 1894-01-24

The CALLS crusade against cigarette
smoking by minors is going on steadily,
and each day files of pledges are sent in.
On these are the signatures of well-mean-
Ing boys who are beginning 10 realize the
deadly effect of the vile cigarettes upon
the system. 1t is expected that before the
end OF the week the enrolment will be
complete, and when the number of names
afhxed to the pledges are compared with
the total attendance at school the result
Will be astonishing.
The manner in which many of the boys
who have already signed the pledges nave
become interested in the movement is
really gratifying. On the street corners
the main topic of conversation among an
"after-school" group OF newsbOys Is in
cessanty upon the cigarette question, and
many of those who have heretofore been
conspicuous by the presence OF paper
wrapped "coffin-naiP' Tuning away be-
tween a pair Of tender lips have sworn
off, as it were, because they have pledged
their honor to abstain from smoking, and
intend to carry out the determination 10
the letter.
AS a CALL reporter was passing cor
- ner on Montgomery street not far from
the Mills building yesterday afternoon
his attention was drawn to number OF bows
who were annoying strolling Chinese vege-
tHb!e-vender by Obstrueting the sidewalk
thereby preventing his passage. The heather
lie was al once aroused, and laying down his
pair OF baskets lie set out after the larger boy
with a vengeance. The light-fo youngster,
however, proved too much for his pursuer
Who soon gave up the chase and returning for
his property made hasty departure.
l. was not many minutes before the retreat
lhg sterS had regained their stand, though
me laSt 10 come up was The one who had been
chased, having run altogether about two blocks
He was hardly IA years of age and wonderfully
handsome 10 DE sure, though his figure Displayed
marked signs of wasting away. AS he au-
preached, pauting with much effort his little
hands We;e pressed against his chest, aud in a
hall laughing tone lie said:
liant no use, boys. | can't run block apy
more without feeling all broke up (iuliyi /
got an awful pain on my chest and it's all 1 can
90 10 breathe. don't know what does II. but
II didn't used 10 be like that"
And he sat down ON the doorway evidently
struggling for breath.
The reporter approached him and in a merely
cigarettes.
Don't now answered little shrlll voice.
cause | signed The CALL pledge the other
day al the Washington School and | promised
my mother Ia quit for eood.'
How long have you smoked" was asked.
For about four wears"
do you lnhale the smOke?'
kid o' -0''
How many cigarettes did you smoke on an
las many as 1 could get. Sometimes I'd
smoke couple OF packs If / had the money to
buy 'em With. But l ain't a-goin' to smoke
any more, cause think it hurts me. These
other fellers have sworn On too and we agreed
that me first one of US that caught the other
smoking could have all his earnings for one
Here is but one example of thousands of
youngsters IN San Francisco who have almost
ruined Their constitutions WITH the deadly
cigarette, unaware of lis effects upon the
human frame. That these boys are earnest in
their actions there is little doubt, and only a
week VIII suffice 10 prove 10 them the change
brought about by total abstinence from the
poison which they have gradually worked into
their systems.
Following is a list OF names sent IN yesterday: