New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-21
AT HOUSE OF REFUGE.
Erhibit of Work Of Delinquent
Bous on Rand0lPs Island.

This is the week of the annual exhibition al
the House of Refuge, on RanqalPs Island. In q
lower hall Of the big main building are col
lected maps, neatly written compositions bas-
kets made of raffia and various other specimens
OF the school work for the last year of these
youthful delinquents. In point Of excellence it
compares very favorably with the work done in
public schools.
There Is one boy at least over there who thinks
that as to manners the public schools are not
to be mentioned in the same breath with their
school. One day the teacher of his class reproved
a boy for using an improper expression. the
other boys were indignant with the offender
rsWhat'd he say?" inquired the first one, who
had not heard.
"Never mind said the teacher. Its some
thing I don't want TO hear again
However, by means Of their wireless teleg-
raphy the words had been passed along. The
first boy fixed the naughty one with an angry
glare
HUH" he remarked; don't go bringing your
public school ways in here and spelling our
class
Since the ChiIEren's Court became a fact the
House of Refuge receives a more uniformly in
subordinate class Of boys. The Children's Court
weeds out the boys, and many who formerly
would have been put away" are now simply
paroled. The House OF Refuge certainly gets
be told OF mild faced little fellow that he is
said 10 be the best piCkpocket in New York. >"
and of another manly looking youth, who is
helping a teacher mount a map, that he has been
convicted several times of burglary, and served
term at Elmira- Many Of the boys, however,
have simply been wild
"Nv little brother didn't do anything bad"
said a young Jewish girl who was going over
in the boat yesterday. But he didn't like to
20 10 school, so mamma she said she thought it
best to put him where he'd have TO 60 And he
likes ii fine. He's learning lots.
Most Of them Try, but. like the rest Of the
world they find il hard to do right. There is
one little fellow, stubborn and understood. named
Smith, said Miss Arnold, principal of the school.
-'Oh, but he hard case! Time after time
had him before me. talking, scolding, punish
ing him. At last he began 10 mend. One day
he wrote me a letter. telling ne proudly that he
hadn't had bad mark in four weeks And
Miss Arnold he wrote in his round hand, it's
hard be good four weeks q"
Many of the boys who 20 out from the institu-
ton keep in touch with IL for years. a promise
TO write to Miss Arnold" or 70 any of the
teachers is usually sacredly kept. Often they
come back 10 visit One big fellow 'hoboed it,
on freight trains from Albany 10 keep a promise
he had given TO visit his old teachers. One of
the visitors last Sunday a former House
OF Refuge boy, who is earning $50 month
in New York. He'll never set the North River
on fire" said of the teachers but he's a
steady fellow now. and has saved 500 When
he has saved 5000 he's going 10 be married. He
brought his sweetheart with him last Sunday"
Another boy who learned the printers trade
the island is now earning S25 a week in New
York OF course. some do badly after being
discharged One boy who was a member Of
the Paul Kelly gang was sent to the House
of Refuge He was such model boy there that
his time was shortened considerably. Back in
New York, however, he got in with the gang
again, and was soon recommitted. He is there
still.
A great deal is made OF the military side of the
training. II was fine thing 10 see the boys 800
strong. IN their khaki uniforms turn out yes
terday for the regimental drill. Many of These
boys go into the army and navy afterward
II is touching TO see the indications of con-
alteration and delic2cy that blossom among
these boys Not long ago one of the teachers
said, "a party Of people from New York visited
the island, and one Of them vas a lame man
Ihey went 10 the greenhouse. One OF my bows
ives on DUTY there. AfterWa-d this boy vas