The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-25
GATHERING IN THE TRUANTS.
a u,ork of Real Danger and Lots of Excitement
JomsHmes-Raids Nscsssasy

how a girl Of 10, went down to the street
and brought him back with her. He had
| evidently told his pals what was up. though,
for when reached the door found myself
facing as tough lot of boys as you could
see anywhere They were members OF
gang that hangs around that neighborhood.
-Jeers and yells greeted me, and one
fellow tried to catch me behind. / clapped
| handcuff on my prisoner. and, pulling
out my billy. began to lay about me, at the
same time trying to push my way through
| the crowd.
But it kept growing bigger and was
pressing closer. became a regular storm
centre, and could see myself with broken
head. Not liking the prospect. whistled
for help. The gang had made few passes,
| but hadn't yet reached me when two police
men came running up. We cleared a
pathway in short order. and l got my boy
around to the school. That's the sort OF
| experiepce we have now and then in carrying
the blessings of education to the East Side.
Boys have a great fear Of being sent
away that is, OF being placed in the Truants'
Home, but after being released I've heard
some say they would like to 20 back. They
grow very fond of the place. To be sent
| there ceases to be a punishment. The
| home ia much more attractive than the
places they have been accustomed to call
| by that name
A big brick building surrounded by
lawns and trees not far from Richmond
Hill on Long Island, is where the truants
| of New York are housed, fed and taught
! A boy whose good conduct has given him
! special place in the confidence OF his
| teachers entertained there for little while
the other day visitor who was waiting
for the principal
dis place is all right" said the boy.
| aDe grub's fine. Yer git meat an pudd'n .
an yer kin have all yer want except when
we got marks. Den we got to git
along on just bread. But dis dom widout
| meat fer bein' bad amt nuthin' to de quiet.
DE quiet? Why, dat's little room
up on de top floor. 1t has big window
dat looks out on the trees an grass, but
| when we're in dey lock de shutters an
it's just light enough fer yer to see de
notices on de walls. Deere amt nuthin'
fur ye to do but just sit an think, an some
times dey keep yer in dere fer a whole
Qay anu filSit. Vcu VAIN AO iLAoi o
O. dat, 80 I'm good now"
When a visitor enters a school room at
the home the boys. at the command Of
the teacher, rise in their places like small
soldiers and give military salute. Out
| in the gymnasium they drill every morn
| ing to music Of drum and fife corps Of
| their own.
They are farmers as we'll as soldiers.
They have planted and harvested about
| 800 bushels Of potatoes. and considerable
! quantities of tomatoes. turnips, beans and
| other vegetables since spring. They have
also made hay. built large chicken coop.
| and done other kinds of very practical
work around the spacious grounds. This
| Is a part OF the manual training course.
The boys retire to small white beds in a
long dormitory at s o'clock at night and
are up at Q for breakfast, followed by mill
tary drill. On the second floor Of the little
chapel. which is a separate building, is a
hos pital but it rarely has an inmate, The
boys grow in weight and general health
in few weeks after they come to the home
and most of them would be very glad to
remain there were it not for the restrictions
on their liberty.