Evening star., 1896-10-24
A Noble Charity Devoted to Their
Help and Succor.
HOUSED IN A COMFORTABLE HOME
The Work of the Newsboys and
ChiIdren's Aid Society.
T II E n E W UILD IN Ct

altogether pleasant and genial, and not a
third of those who uttered il, and there
were thirty-one little boys and girls who
joined in giving 1t, who could pronounce
the syllahles. To the stranger to whom
1t was extended it was striking and sig
ricant in a number of ways, and IL the
| milk of human kindness in him had ever
been clabbered the simple words would
have sweetened it again. And when he
tells the story every ore will know the
reason why. The charities of a great city
are sealed to the knowledge of the great
majority of the population. They are on
the neither side of the hum and hustle Of
bust. ess and society. Some sweet women
and noble men are their intimates and
delight in the pathetic beauty they pre-
sent, smiling through their tears. ofttimes
at misery appeased and suffering solaced
To Others they are known only as some
thing to be supported with regular sub
scriptions given, unfor tunately, sometimes
grudgingly but to the general public they
are virtually unknown. Were there more
familiarity with them few would feel the
pressing needs that often tear upon them
all.
The little ones who greeted the stranger
SO heartily last night were the recipients of
the generous bounty of one of the truest
and nobfest charities in Washington or
anywhere else. They were gathered in tie
lecture room of the new building of the
Newsboys and Children's Aid Society ard
had beer learning their evening lessons.
The oldest children were colored girl, not
more than eleven years old, and colored
boy of about the same age, and the others
ran down the scale of juvenlity to a little
tot Of a girl, round dumping and
as pretty as a peach, scarcely more than
three years old and already with history
The New Building.
The strangers coming had been unherald-
nd
minutes before had met Mr.. John b. Wight
the treasurer of the society, who had in
vited him to take peep at the home. That
peep was extended into a visit to every
part Of the home, and the creation of i'm
Iressions II would do many another a world
of good to receive. Mr.. Wight did not even
ring the bell when the new building of the
home was reached. He opened the street
door and uShered the reporter into room
to the left of the entrance, a pleasant
apartment designed for a reading room,
with five windows assuring plenty of light
In daytime ard two double chandeliers for
evening illumination. Then he went in
search Of the superintendent, Miss Nor
daunt Wilson, and was back in a moment
fer she had heard the intruGers and was
already comir &.
Miss Wilson is a young Englishwoman
remarkably young, indeed, for the import
| ant work she has in hand, but at the sa an&
time remarkably fitted for it, Her attra ct
i've face. lighted by large and enthusiastic
blue eyes, plays with a variety of express
sions as she talks about her charges. and
20 properly describe one would truthfully
say she is the epitome of energy and earn
estnesS. The best proof of her splendid at
tainments in her position is in the perfect
behavior of the children; their courteous
polteness, their scrupulous neatness and
the affection with which they one and all
regard her.
Well Behaved and Orderly.
"They are very, very good children"
said Miss Wilson. with a delightful Eng
lish infection and pardonably proud en-
phasis. I'VE have no unruly bad ones
now; indeed, we seldom have" Then she
showed the visitors through. The new
building, which will first be described,
occupies the rear of the large lot at the
southeast corner of Sd and c streets and
is separated from the main building, 'the
George Maulsby Memorial Home" by
large yard. 54x75 feet, which is used as
playground The structure has just been
completed, and is to be called the new
gymnasium hall and dormitory. 1t is of
modern construction throughout, and per-
feet in its hygienic and convenient appoint
ments Back Of the reading room and en-
trance hail, to the right of which is toilet
room fitted with stationary washstands OF
the latest description and closets, is ;he
gymnasium. large apartment 24X4o feet.
Its brick walls are painted red, and viii
make good ball alleys for the youngsters.
There are no furnishings or athletic ap-
pliances in the gymnasium yet, so the
charitaby inclined have good opportunity
to exercise heart Instinct
There is q small coat room in front,
where the boys will leave their hats and
overcoats, IL they have any. When they
are through playing If they have been
good, they will be given a ticket admitting
them the next night, but If they have been
bad they will be corrected by not getting
the privilege for night or two, simple
l>,,f o6a 70 inGnrQ good
havior.
The second floor is taken up by the lee
ture hall. This commodious apartment is
fitted up with school desks and there are
rolling partitions, which can be iet down
from the ceiling, by which 1t may be
divided into several class rooms, If desired.
1t was here the little ones were surprised,
as described above.
Where the Boys VIII Sleep.
The upper floor is the dormitory. 1t is
revelation of arrangement for comfort,
convenience and safety. There are fifteen
cozy little rooms, besides the superintend-
ents room, and the linen closet. where the
bed clothes and towels are kept. each to
contain an iron bedstead, a chair and
strip of carpet. These rooms are parti-
toned Off with wire netting. filled with
plaster, at once fire and vermin-proof, and
the front Of each above the door is of OPEN
work wire netting. This was arranged SO
that the rooms could be lighted from cleo
trio globes hung in the hall that divides
the apartments, and which are controlled
by switch in the superintendent room.
These rooms cost SIS each to be furnished,
and they may be endowed by persons and
given distinctive names, like beds in hos
pitfalls, on the payment Of that sum yearly.
These rooms will be devoted to the accom-
mediation of boys who work. such as news
boys, and charge of ten cents a night
will be made for single night, with five
cents for breakfast. Some of the working
boys who now live at the home pay 81 and
$1.25 per week for room, board and laun-
dry. And each boy must take a bath be-
fore going to bed. On the first floor, ad-
joining the reading room, is the bath room.
a large room filled with porcelain-lined
tub and a modern shower bath, with a cir
cular deluge and a rubber sheet to sur
round the bather.
There are lockers built up against the
walls where the boys clothes will be kept,
and when they retire they will be allowed
to take to their rooms only their pants and
n;ghtgown. The entire building is electric
lighted and steam heated, the plant for the
latter equipment being located in the main
building at the corner of street.
..-.. The George Maulsby Home.
Leaving the structure Just described Miss
Wilson escorted Mr.. Wight and the reporter
to the Maulsby Home, across the play
ground. This was once one Of the finest
residences in Washington, and 1t still pre-