The St. Louis Republic., 1902-03-16
HOBBS LOVED .
BY LITTLE CHILDREN.

Conspicuous amid the host of friends and
acauaintances who called at the home OF
Billy Hobbs after his death to offer con-
dolences to the bereaved family were the
cfildren OF the neighborhood. OF all the
tributes paid to the virtues of the popular
st. Louisan. none. perhaps. was more sin.
cere pathetic or remarkable than the grief
exhibited by the little ones to whom Billy
Hobbs had been at once parent. counselor,
friend and benefactor.
Throughout the day these little ones
singly. In groups or accompanied by theiS
elders, called at the house to look their
last upon the beloved features Of their one
time friend and companion in many a frolio,
and their manifestations Of grief moved
their elders TO deepest emotion.
MIR. Hobbs was known far and wide and
beloved by the children OF st. Louis. In
his immediate neighborhood his circle Of
az een S.yy HSSy
knew him by sight and reputation, and the
recollection OF his many kindnesses. and
he knew them all by sight and name. His
comings to and goings from home were
heralded by the gathering of troops OF
merry children OF all ages who saluted him
who ran to clasp his knee and touch his
hand and accompany him to the car or
home. He greeted each one by name. with
great his hurry.
II by chance the youngsters were so deep
" occupied in some pastime as to overlook
his advent into the street on returning
home. his familiar whistle was sufficient
10 recall them to sense of their temporary
forSetfulness. and In a moment he would be
surrounded by shouting group. tagging
around him TO the threshold Of his home.
They recognized in him; with that tele-
children. nature companion to their own.
They found In him a sincere friend and a
delightful companion. a sympathizer with
fyS
their infantile pleasures. and benefactor
to whom their liShtest expressed wish was
an imperative command.
At no time was Billy Hobbs so thor
cughly and delightfully."- in his true element
as when SuIr1Gnded by q noisy crowd OF
gins ut his coat tails. climbing on his
knees or gathered around him in astonished
tales our of fs his ferva Raa Tgaaeri%
CLEANED from fairy-book lore. Then II was
that he threw aside, dull care and became
again one OF themselves. He was never 70
worried by the abstruse problems OF busi-
hess or politics that he could not snatch an
nour rom ms mnltifarious duties to amuse
continually devising ways ard means to
contribute to their store Of pleasure. and
year. Christmas and the Fourth OF July,
were the demands upon his time so exten.
sive that any but a man OF his exceeding
good nature would have found the task be-
yond his strength and patience
At Christmastide he was especially in de.
iiidllu pN youngsters ds TcpteSeHtdtlN0
OF Santa Claus. the patron saint and gift
Eiyer. He embodied in his person all those
beloved attributes of the jolly. good saint
as pictured In chidhoods fancy. and when
ever he appeared such IN the home, the
public school or the Coliseum. the little ones
went fairly wild with JOY. To many of
them ne the only. real and truly
Santa Claus and in the desoate home on
Cook avenue the tears shed by many Of his
former little piayfellows were shed in tho
belief that henceforth their Christmases
uld be jcyless because of the cruel TAX
irg OF of jolly Santa.
II was the custom of Billy Hobbs on
the Fourth of July for many years to pro-
vide celebration for the young folks Of
the neighborhood with an elaborate exhi-
bition of fireworks. The display provided by
Mr.. Hobbs was always one of the most
complete and extensive. embracing a multi.
tude of pyrotechnics especially dear to the
hearts az children. The children came to
lcok upon this annual pyrotechnical display
as their own. and Mr.. Hobbs. in order that
all might enjoy Ii to the utmost, used 70
erect a platform whereon they could ST
and witness the spectacle to the best ad-
vantage Future anniversaries OF the
glorious Fourth will be shorn Of much or
the enthusiasm with which past Fourths
were invested by the efforts Of .Bfly
Hobbs to nre the youthful heart Wash pe-
trtotic Esal