New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-21
A LITTLE NETWORK HERO.
WILLIE OCONNOR AND WHAT HE HAS DONE-A
coy WHO DESERVES AN EDUCATION

WILLIE OCONNOR AND WHAT HE HAS DONE-A
coy WHO DESERVES AN EDUCATION.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Willie OConnor Is hero. but there is god
medal for him. He Is not a handsome boy WIKI
Hyperion curls. refined Intellectual face AMI grave
demearor. but he has as fine buish-gray eye
quick a motion and decided a way Of saying.
Here. Sconcey. you quit that 10 the young bully
who is tormentlng a small boy. could wish
to He is yet sixteen He was born in Mu,-
berry-st.. and has always lived in Mulberryst.
Mulberry-st is like Nazareth: II Is only by the
barest chance that anything good comes out OF It.
He never his mother. She gave her .he for
him She was only a poor, ignorant Irish woman
anyway but think she bequeathed him the lnfiu-
ence OF dying prayer.
His father soon married again. and Ave children
came into the home 10 be cufed and loved and
but mostly on the street. Jamsie is the eldest Of
the five, and he is thirteen. A keen mind that
saw something of the wrongs and rights OF society.
some evil literature and companionshp made
OConnor an Anarchist lie hated the Church: he
hated the big bugs UP town" and the world
all topsy-turvy to him.
BY dint OF love and tact ore Of the women mis-
sionaries connected with the Broome Stree. Taber
nace Of the City Mission Society got Willie into
the Sunday school He took to 1t at once. chiefly.
l think. because his teacher took to him. His
father died two years and since then Willie
has supported the family He goes to the back
doors OF restaurants and hotels. buys the small
ends of hams carefully cuts off the remaining
meat and with buns bought a friendly bakery
his mother makes sandwiches which he sells on
Washington-st. down town. There IS business
before O'Clock and no one down there WI! buy
sandwiches after B. 50 that he has good par;
Of tn afternoon to get ready for the next day.
Jamsle helps him about II o'clock by carrying
down a basket OF freshly made sandwiches
After Willie established in the sunday
school ne felt II 10 he his duty. guardian OF the
family, that his five haf-brothers and sisters
should also receive instruction. Accordingly nc
washed their faces. combed their hair and led tn.
way to the big church where welcome and kind
son approached and an invitation given TO
those who loved the Lord to come and confess Him.
hero
why do you think you a Christian was
the first question put 10 him by one Of the elders.
well, | read the Bible now and pray every
other children and makes them learn their verses
and come to Sunday school" was the simple reply.
Il wasn't a Ffth-ave. boys answer only Null
berry-st. boys. but 1t genuine
Willie Is the leader Of his c.ass IN more things
than learning the verses II didn't play any bah
claimed last sunday. And that meant good deal
This summer d kind friend secured him an APP
pOintment TO go 10 the country on Fresh Air
Fund. But how can CO." he said speaking as
lips. "and Jamse needs 1t more than me- can't he
go?' And Jamsie went.
Willie ought 10 have education. For GER
tain reasons | do not to have him go to the
free night school. He ought to be helped along
He is worthy OF medal. II he can get an eiu-
some walk in life. \. J. KERR.
995 Broome-s; New-York Sept, % 1896