New-York tribune., 1908-12-26
"NEWSlES" AT JOY TAP
". n. FLEISS, JR, HOST.
Hundreds of Youngsters Make
Merry at Christmas Feast.

gamc dinner where the eaters were game. not
the eaten-that was the newsboys' Christmas feast
provided last night in the Brace Memorial News
bows. Lodging House. No. u New Chambers street
by William NJ. Fliess jr. The happiness OF PoN-
erty without responsibility, of boyhood unchecked
Of sporting blood untaned. Of divine independence
shone from the eyes Of those noisy neWsies'
thrilled in their laughter barked IN their shouts
And envy not pity stirred the hearts of the men
and women who had left comfortable homes, In
immaculate attire. watch the children of the
street absorb their little mountains OF food.
No separate courses, no cocktails and caviar no
after-dinner speeches were needed 10 make that
dinner palatable. 10 separate mind from stomach
TO create buoyancy OF spirits big bowl OF thlcK
steaning soup; plate heaped with turkey, pota-
toes and mashed turnips; cupful OF smoking
coffee and a whole pie round as the smiling
face Of the sun. greeted each separate appetite
simultaneously, and caused gorge TO rise Not
bit OF space wasted on these long, white
tables, fanked by their narrow, red benches Big
punches OF celery took the place OF inediole deco
rations and appealed infinitely nloreto the artis-
tic souls of the grimy little guests than would How
ers or ferns.
All ages from FIVE 20 twenty represented.
and big boy and infant sat side by side in perfect
ccnradeship since age counts for little IN the free
masonry of the street Some pinched white little
faces there were but not many, 20 set on by COM
parison the wind Redeemed cheeks OF most OF the
throng None had overcoat; some were even
without Jackets, but they al looked warm. One
young man Of six marched in with drum which
matched his countenance for expansive roundness
and noisy Christmas cheer He sat down with II
strapped 10 his side, which crowded his neighbor
somewhat. but there complaint, for not
even ''nevsy' could entertain the thought OF
separating him for a moment from such present
The feast started O'Clock, but at o'clock
there many places stin empty and waiting for
the late ''eI.ras' with OF the Johnson Burns
prizehght detained many OF the older boys who
had important stands. And for the reason
there little Of the organized cheering OF former
years for the benefactor and for Superintendent
Heig since Chicago Tom" Wise Joe" and other
leaders still selling 'papes'' at the bridge
entrance. But it "handout till midnight"
and time enough TO stick de Job" and get IN
on de feed" too.
Il was hard. though. on the shivering. shuf-
ing line Of beggared outcasts which hugged the
Brace Memorial building three sides waiting
until all the 'newses'' had got theirs" Here was
Christmas buoysncy, only hopeless patience in
wasted faces IN huddled forms, in gnawing hunger
which sprang not from red blood. That dim, silent
fringe which pressed tight up against the brick
walls II seeking warmth and sustenance from
the contact, expressed the sntithesis Of the
within. Emphasis Of this not wanting
groups Of bosterous ''newsies." Gathering down
the stairs bursting out Of the door, hailed diff
erent members OF the company.
Hungry, BilT'
Wait till next Christmas"
And the replies. accompanied by Wan smiles
Say kid. what dey hendin' outT'
Are ye Ieaven' enough fer us?'
These men were to get what the ''newsies' left
and yet all either, for following them would
come the women the tattered hags OF the night
And SO the feast, begun IN brightness. would end
with the saddest chapter OF civilization.
The women did not line up They shrank from
the Etares OF passersby. and waited until the last
before crawling forth from their lairs
Two thousand neWsboys and homeless and
women fed through the generosity Of Nr.
Fliess who provides a feast every Christmas.
His father began giving these annual dinners forty
FIVE years ago. and his is continuing them in
his memory. Seven hundred pounds of turkey,
three hundred Of ham. four barrels of potatoes and
four OF turnps fifteen hundred pies and countless
gallons of coffee, tea and soup the principal
items OF his provision last night Two hundred
applicants were seated at time There
disorder
One man. arriving late when the last dishes
being cleared away, was referred to Mr. Heig.
Mister he said Il came from Peeksk walk
ing all the way, and most famished. Can
have something 10 eat?"
There IS q cup Of tea coffee left, anyway.
and a piece OF bread. Give It him." Mr. Heig
said. turning to his assistants.
Presently plate Of stearning turkey and vege-
tables was placed in front Of the man. Mr.. Heig
said one OF the girls helping in the kitchen, who
hadn't anything since morning. had Insisted
that her share 60 to the traveller.
Mr.. Heig said the closing OF many manufacturing
adrift The Newsboys Lodging House had be-
fr1endess lads IN the city. and in the last year
had sheltered 3.s44 different boys.