Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-12-26
NEWSBOYS AT DINNER.
Entertain ed at Local Restaurant
Through LiberalitY Of j. B. Henderson

Through the kindness and iiberality Of
j. +. Henderson, Christmas day was made
a happy one fer the newsbovs of BUrling-
ton who were serN cd with a bountifUl di1-
rcr yesterday at the star restaurant. 1t
may be a matter of surprise to many to
learn that there ere about 100 boys who act
as carriers or peddlers for the various
papers sold In Burlington. but nearly that
number of tickets We're disposed of and
every boy that was in any way connected
with that branch of the newspaper work
was remembered, and over halt of them
accepted the invitation.
At about 1l:3o the boys began to pile into
the restaurant and the pace resounde1
with their merry clatter and shouts. The
neTsbOys Of Burlington are unlike those
of the larger G ties for lnlny of them come
from families who have splendid Christ
mas dinners at home Int there are also
many of them to whom turkey, chicken
and other Christmas dclicaclcs were things
known by hoarsay rather than by actual
knowledge.
The rear 'oom in tie restaurant was de-
voted to tho boys and they were allowed
to frolic and eat to their hearts content.
They did not all sit down TO the tables at
CnCC but came in pairs, by tErees and in
groups. Some We're DIRE ssed their best.
while others wore the only suit they pos
sess. All the faces were shining from tho
recent use of soap ard water and the
pleasant smiles and happy talk would
have warmed the coolest heart. The boys
kept the walters busy renlling the plates,
from which the dime. disappeared al
most as soon as it was brought On. Aside
from turkey ard chicken, the menu con-
sisted Of peas. corn, cranberry sauce, APP
pie, custard mince and other kinds of pie,
The boys w-re allowed to eat until they
could hold no moro and such expressions
as / feel as though | shudld bust" were
things were dispc sed of.
In an adjoining room the regular patrons
Of the restaurant were served with their
usual meal and the happy laughs OF the
boys that could be plainly heard gladden.
ed and made brighter some of the older
cnes who were lonely and away from their
friends.
Such a dinner as the nne given yester-
day by Mr. Henderson is a new feature
in Burlington, although in some Of the
larger cities it has been the custom OF
some libcral-hearted citizen to remember,
In such way, the little men WHO are try
ing to carr an honest living. In a city
like burlington too little thought has per-
haps been given to the boys and In some
cases Christmas cay has had no signii-
canoe, but such a feast as was given yes
terday sets their minds TO wondering what
the meaning of it all is ard they not only
get the benefit of a good square meal hut
they also learn the tue sigrihcance of the
day.
TO see the boys and hear them express
their gratitude although their benehcent
friend was not present. was a pleasure to
the few who knew of the idea and wero
Interested enough to DROP in and see tho
boys for momont 1t was n handsome
thing for citizen &c do ard he would havo
moro than been repaid could he have
heard thu sayings Of the boys after they
were through Their feelings were PEI