The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-02
NEWS|ES FEAST ON ;
FAT OF THE LAND
Sixty-fve Youngsters Do Full
Justice to Spread
ONE MAKES A SPEECH
Well Known Citizens Also Attend AS
Guests and Have Words of Cheer
for the Little Merchants.
Ate for As Minutes.
ONE MAKES A SPEECH


mingham yesterday afternoon at the Al
bert restaurant by their friends, the
three local newspapers, and number Oh
prominent men, was an occasion that
will be long remembered by the taithful
little merchants, and their appreciation
from the very beginning was manifested
on every contented face and their enjoy
ment at times bordered on the hilarious.
There were about 65 boys present and
double that many appetites. The young
sters gathered around the New year )
banquet table with the greatest entnus-
iasm and expectation and left 1t Juphaht
and totally satisfied, with no earthly de-
sire bearing upon them.
The feast was spread on a long table
running the entire length of the hall, and
at the head of the board sat the big
men," When the first course was served
a glance down the long table revealed
sight animating and unique. Inc httle
fellows, many of whom call the streets
their home, surveyed the banquet board
with a look of wonderment and admira-
ton.
Many of the little fellows, rough but
always ready, picked up the menu cards,
glanced over them and then looked
around with expressions of perplexity
plain and simple No worry was caused
from this source. however, for the Rev.
DIR. John w. Stage opened the occasion
with a prayer and then the onslaught
began.
And those boys fairly went through
the dinner. It was the intention at the
beginning to serve the dinner in courses,
but the courses were soon completely
mixed up, and while one future Presi-
dent was eating mince pie and sliced to-
matoes, a Mayor tome was lacking roast
beef and sweet corn.
Ate for as Minutes.
And a Jolly set this Every little fell
low, pleased beyond expression, put his
dinner away with a vengeance, and be-
tween mouthfus discussed the probabili-
ties for business during Birmingham's
first dry" year. This went on for 40
| minutes, everyone busy over a well filled
plate, and then a halt was called.
| Between the dinner and the dessert
| talks made The boys listened atten-
| lively to the interesting and appealing
talks. Every man spoke to the little
fellows encouragingly, and every boy
apparently took the words of wisdom to
heart.
The Rev. DIR. Stage, as POSTMASTER, in
| troduced the various speakers, and ex-
cused himself from making a long speech
by telling the story of the danger of
tickling a mules hind foot with a tooth
pick Col. T. G. Bush was the first
| speaker. His talk was on 1.-THE American
Boy" Colonel Bush told the boys that
| he did not agree with DR.. johnson that
"a boy should be put into a barrel and
fed through the bunghole until he is Is
| years DID, but said he thought it was
| proper for him to assert himself and to
have the liberties due him. He said that
the way is open for every boy, that the
ladder is clear, and all you have to do
is to take hold of the rungs and go up
The second speaker was James j. Smith
| of the Ledger. Mr.. Smith spoke touch
ingly of 1.-The Street Seller" He told
of his vast and many experiences with
newsies, and spoke to the boys with the
feeling that only man who knows them
! can speak He said that he always con-
sidered the newsboys as merchants, Iva
ones, and nothing more NOR less. He
warned them against the many tempta-
lions thrown in their way, and plead with
| them to avoid the many bad habits, such
as gambling swearing and the like.
Judge Feagin Makes Talk.
Judge NJ B. Feagn was called upon
/ to speak upon THE Birmingham Boys
| club of today" Judge Feagin spoke in
appreciation of what the club has done
during the five years of it's existence, and
discussed several points along the re-
! form line. He made a strong appeal to
the young fellows to always be honest
| and upright in all they do, and in his
| conclusion spoke with much encourage
ment and promise to them.
| Clyde Hudson, a 14-year-old boy spoke
| of :" he Birmingham newspapers with
much apparent appreciation and lauded
| them in behalf of the boys present
| These speeches were followed by short
| talks by Mayor George B. Ward and
Superintendent of the Boys club, L. H.
/ Putnam
! John H. Kennybrook was called upon
to say word in behalf of The Age-Her
aid and spoke to the boys with the thor
! ough understanding that his experience
with them has given him. Mr. Kenny
brook said among other things:
"This gathering today is somewhat diff
ferent from the way you boys and |
generally meet and l want to congratu-
late everyone of you on your splendid
behaviour this afternoon. AS a rule,
every one of you in the sound of my
voice know 1t requires all my energies
Ato keep you quiet about the time for
the paper to go to press every morning,
and 1 expect If l didn't keep an extra
sharp lookout you would. tear The Age
Herald building, mail room, press room,
composing room and editorial rooms all
in one, completely off it's foundation
.'You are not bad though, you are just
full of mischief and no boy is a real
boy unless he has some mischief in him.
| used to be one of you myself. l ex-
pect | managed to keep everybody around
me on the jump.
1.-THE Ledger News and Age-Herald
appreciate you boys and the good work
YOU have done for them, and 1t is with d
glad heart that they have you here as
their guests this afternoon. Yous repre-
sent Birmnghams future business men,
and want to say this is the finest and