The Washington herald., 1908-06-05
Lads Have Great Time in
"MOOn Land"
do" EVERYTHING At LUNA
One Hundred Ncwsics Enjoy Holt
day and Good Time ns Guests Of
The Washington HeraId-TugbOat
Captain and Railroad President
Hear Din ut Distance.

]
"a newsboy to his pal yesterday. while the
pair were enjoying to their greatest ca
paclty the wonders Of Luna Park as
guests OF The Washington Herald.
Two large carloads Of newsboys felt the
same way about their ne be-forgot-
ten trip TO the wonderland on the river.
judging by tell-tale symptoms. such as
facial expressions OF ethereal delight and
verbal calculations Of earthly enjoyment.
When word was sent around that the
time for returning TO Washington had ar
rived, expressions generally worn at fu-
nerals were assumed with such energy It
was thought by men in the party that
their charges had eaten too many peanuts
or drunk too much lemonade.
"MOonIand" to Their Liking.
The boys had planned permanent resi-
dence in the "moonland," and the rude
awakening from their dream nearly
caused them to spout those salty drops.
tabooed by newsboys-real boys-and
known only to so-called Sissy" boys A
sharp. short, struggle with themselves
brought about a change, and their faces
beamed as does the sun at high noon on
the Potomac, which failed, by mistake. TO
shine yesterday.
Assembling at the offices Of The Wash
ington Herald shortly after noon. where
they were given white caps and supplied
with horns. the boys marched in line Of
two abreast 20 the station OF the Wash
ington. Alexandria and Mount Vernon
/ Railway. Twelfth street and Pennsylvania
avenue. Here two special cars were in
readiness 10 carry them TO Luna Park
When the word go" was given nearly a
hundred. black. white. big, and little boys
living in every part OF Washington made
a rush for the platforms Of the cars and
clambered aboard like pirates boarding a
ship in days Of old.
Somebody among the large crowd who
witnessed the embarkatiOn said Jack
| Robinson" but every seat IN the two
large cars was filed before the third
syllable OF the word Robinson" had been
uttered NewsbOys are famous for swift
ness.
Tin Horns Well Used.
During the ride through the Mall.
past the Bureau Of Engraving and Print
ing. over the bridge spanning the Poto-
mac. through Virginia to their destina-
ton. the boys Joined in one long contin-
uous blast on their tin horns. which
caused workers IN the brick yards by the
roadside to poke their heads around cor
ners In CONSERVATION. then wonder. and
finally amusement. when they recognized
the little street lads. So great was the
noise caused by the 100 horns that a
pilot on river boat about two miles
distant thought he heard a signal from
steamer he could not see. and answered
with two long ;oots. Newsboys are Ia
nous for the strength OF their voices.
for many extra pennies are earned by a
superior yell"
Arriving at Luna Park. they abandoned
the cars in less time than they boarded
them. which was going some. They went
up the hill 70 the turnstile, where tick
cts are taken. with a rush that nearly
carried the ticket official of his feet.
When all were on the inside Of the board
fence they were lined up, told 10 assume
expressions and positions in vogue among
human beings. and had their picters
took" Provided with tickets admitting
them 10 all amusemcnts. they were of al
the click Of the shutter on the ''picter
machine" and ten seconds later had In
vaded every stronghold in sight
See Real Vaudeville Show.
footing horns. and not neglocting pea
nuts. they made a personal investigation
OF everything as only newsboys can. After
this preliminary inspection. they were
corralled and punched In the open-air
theater. where a high-class polite vaude-
vile performance was given. Happily the
actors and actresses were appreciative Of
the occasion, and paid little attention to
the fact that during the entire pro-
gramme. consisting Of a number Of acts,
the boys gave exhibitions Of their ability
as musicians by blowing necessarily on
their horns.
The show officials Of the park an
nounced prize OF a S gold piece ito the
man who could ride water horse" Su-
preme silence reigned for brief minute
among the boys while the magnitude OF
the generous offer soaked In.
Go After that Prize.
When they came 70 the realization that
de ting was on de level" there was a
grand stampede for the pond at the bot
tom Of the chute. where the sea horses
were awaiting the coming struggle. Six
OF the sturdiest, bravest and most daring
were chosen and given new bathing suits.
The sun. which had not risen, should
have been q red ball OF fire, slowly dsap-
pearing behind TIE line of green hills,
when the fight between the boys and the
horses was called OF. on account Of dark
ness.
After the tourney with the sea horses
the chute became the center of attrac-
ton. Never before In their lives. prob
/ ably, have the chute attendants had
| such an exciting five minutes as when
100 newsboys took the notion that a
ride down the incline was about the
most desirable thing in life When the
first boatload hit the water the shouts
OF delight were said to have been heard
across the river. At any rate, a rail
/ road president who passed as the cry
split the atmosphere had his car stopped
at the next station. and telegraphed back
TO 90 find out where the wreck had
happened.
Chateau AlphOnse n Wonder.
From the chute the boys went to the
Chateau Alphonse. a house OF mystery
and unknown experiences. even TO news
boys. From the chateau the boys scat
tered in all directions, and in parties OF
two. three. and more. took rides in the
aerial swing, on the roller coaster, threw
baseballs at niger babies for the pur-
pose OF winning cigars which would
have made them sick had they won them.
drank soda, ate candy. chewed chewing
gum, cracked peanuts. played "tag-me-
if-you can" and had good time
The return trip to Washington was
as noisy as the ride TO the park Arriv-
ing in the city, they dispersed e
their homes and went 70 bed early. When
nature overcame the spirits OF boyhood.
they dreamed the dream Of the good and
dreamed the dream Of the happy. for
| they had been good and haunv Ali da,,