Year: 1867

There were few happier boys in the city
last night than the newsboys. For the first
time in the life of many one of them they
bad on Thanksgiving day a home. And
they enjoyed it.


In the evening they had their dinner in.
one of the long rooms of their lodging house,
on Poplar street. The tables were set,
which were covered with as nicely cooked
and prepared food as was set on any table in
the city, yesterday-turkey. potatoes, squash,
celery, eranberries, apple and pumpkin pies
and apples. Shortly after seven o'clock the
boys formed in line in the gymnasium, and
at the whistle Of their leader came to order,
and at the second whistle passed down to
the tables. Newsboys always have an eye
OPEN" but when they saw the abundant
dinner provided for them their eyes opened
much wider than usual, and some of them
had to put their hands behind them and hold
hard, so as to wait until orders to :. fall to-
should be issued. When all had reached
their places, they were seated at a signal,
and after blessing had been asked by Mr..
Lawrence, the Superintendent. they were
told to commence dinner. Then there a
very lively display of knives and forks;
breast, leg and wing were attacked with
Irresistible impulse, and for time the inter
est in the feast was all-absorbing.


As appetite began to be satisfied look of
regret appeared on the faces of some of the
boys as they saw the great abundance re-
naming; still they had done all they could
under the circumstances it wasn't their
fault if anything was left. After the pies
had been eaten, the greatest treat was given
them in the shape of ice cream. This had
been sent by Mr. Thompson, Of Clinton
street. and was not at all inferior to the
quality usually furnished by that confection-
er. There were sixteen turkeys sent. six
teen pies. two barrels Of apples. besides the
eranberries and manv other things. About
fifty boys partook Of the dinner, and were all
satisfied.


After dinner the boys went again to the
large room, and were addressed by DR..
Perry of New York. himself once news
boy: bv Mr. James G. Cooper of this
journal, whose interest in newsbovs extends
through period Of over twenty years. and
by Captain Jacobs of the police Each ad
dress was very interesting, Mr.. Perry's es-
pecially so, on account of the circum stances
of his early life. while Captain Jacobs and
Mr.. Cooper were listened to with the deep.
est attention.


Between the addresses hymns were sung
by the boys, who sailed into'' them with
their usual vigor. and sang them well. The
suggestion that vote Of thanks should be
given to the ladies and gentlemen who had
furnished the dinner and who had addressed
them, was unanimously adopted by show
of hands, one roguish fellow gravely rising
when the vote was taken, in order that his
hand night surely he seeC.


The institution seemed to be in the most
perfect order. Everything was clean; the
beds were as sweet as the most particular
could desire; the floors were as white as
those of New England kitchens are proverb
iallv said to be; and the boys were all wash
ed; their clothing WAS generally clean and
in good order their hair was brushed nice
", and they presented very neat appear
ance. They were under good subiection too.
Those who have been at dinner heretofore
provided for these boys, will remember that
there was considerable disorder A polished
bone of turkey would be SHE'D by boy
across the table into another boys eye ; loud
conversation would ensue, and the dinner
once eaten. the boys were hardly manage
able Last night the boys were under good
control; they behaved themselves, thus
shoving the nece ,sity and value Of contip-
u-d discipline They find here home. kind
treatment, pleasant place. and friendly
interest, 50 that thev can get start in
line of usefulness, which they would other
wise be unable to Brooklyn Union.