The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-11


affectionately called the sailor lad from
the days of Admiral Nalson and our own
Pual Jones, is to at last have home In
this city aud pleasant one too. His
leisure hours when off duty in this city
or when waiting for chance to ship for
another voyage can be enjoyaDly passed
away i'll the pleasant we'll lighted and
neatly furnished rooms in the block at
1868 Fore street, where the Portland Corps
of Foreign Consuls have obtained rooms
especially for s'Jaok 81 entertainment.
The PRSSH has before told its readers
something about this most excellent
scheme of the Corps of Consuls which is
being ably put into execution by the
British Consul, Mr.. Heating. and those
who are identified with him In this
matter. The quarters which Mr.. Keating
and his fellow oonsuls selected for
Jacks" play rooms, are happily
situated in that part Of the city where
tho most Of the sailors congregate. The
rooms are at the corner Of Market and
Fore streets in q large brick block, and
are just near enough to the bounding
blue" of Old Osoan to make "Jack" feel
at home. There is to be a reading room,
which the good citizens of Portland are
asked to keep supplied with all of the
good literature, magazines and periodicals
which Jack as well as any other man
likes to see Then theirs 10 to be large
entertainment hall. with stage at one
end and during the long winter evenings
which are coming, series OF first class
entertainments will be given for
"Jack's" amusement. Then, too, those
who have the matter in charge hope to
be able to supply the sailors with good
cup of tea or coffee at small price, when
they want it, and perhaps with some nf
the good things which the forecastle does
not often see.
| These rooms are to be in charge of q
| janitor, who will look after "Jaok's''
comfort, care for the rooms and be an all
round friend to the sailors who visit the
place. The janitor will also visit every
incoming vessel and invite the sailors to
visit the rooms and make themselves at
home there, while they remain In the
city.
Ultimately it 10 hoped that nice clean
lodging house may be started In connec-
ton with this sailors retreat. which
will be self supporting and keep Jack
out of the hands of the land sharks who
are ever ready to devour him or his pay.
| The 9entlsmsn who have this affair In
charge have been literally treated by the
steamship lines now running into this
city and by our own merchants. The
crews of some Of the English steamers
have cleaned out the rooms, painted
them and aided in fixing them up.
Lumber dealers have donated the neces
saIy lumber and others have given money
10 aid in the work. The gentlemen who
are managing this most worthy charity
now want aome settees, chairs and tables
suitable for the reading and entertain
ment room, games Of checkers, back
CANNON or ofher games, lamps.
kitchen range and large stovo capable
OF heating the Iooms; old magazine.
and periodicals and other reading matter
az we'll as pictures to adorn the place. il
is to be hoped that people VIII" can supply
these things will lend their sssistance in
giving "Jack' pleasant resort where he
can pass his leisure hours. Mr. William
Irish has been Voluntarily experimenting
the fitting up of the rooms and anyone
who can supply any OF the articles needed
| will find Mr.. Irish ct the rooms ready te
receive my and all donations.