Christmas morning came without a cloud in sight. The sun was warm. It
was an ideal Christmas day. The boys were to meet at eleven o’clock,
but fifty newsies were playing around the corners of the post-office
as early as seven o’clock and at ten o’clock they came in groups of
five and ten from every direction. When the gentleman appeared he
was considerably embarrassed at the noisy reception. The boys formed
in line by twos and as the hundred and fifty marched down the street
yelling at the tops of their voices the good people of the city stood
on the sidewalks wondering what had broken loose. The boys when near
their destination, arriving at the top of a hill, without warning made
a break for the bottom, like a flock of sheep scattering down a hill.
They ran screaming as only boys can. At the door of the building,
where they were to have their Christmas dinner, they were met by six
policemen, who held them at bay, requiring them to go up stairs single
file.
The tables presented a sight that even grown people considered, “one of
the most attractive layouts ever seen in the city.”
Flowers, fruit of all kinds, with “a mountain of turkey” and candy “to
burn,” greeted the boys. In just five minutes after the newsies were
seated there was not an orange, an apple, a banana or a piece of candy
in sight. All disappeared as if by magic. Ice cream and pie were first
to receive attention. Turkey and chicken were later in demand. In half
an hour the tables were cleared of everything that looked good to eat.
Not only were the pockets of the boys filled with oranges and apples
but their shirt-waists and pant-legs were bulged out with the things
that pleased them most. Only six fights were recorded worthy of notice.
An entertainment followed the dinner. It was the kind and character
they could understand and appreciate. Interesting and earnest talks by
newspaper representatives, were sandwiched between acts. The object
of the gathering was well defined by the members of the press. Their
gentleman friend wanted the sellers and bootblacks to start a Newsboys’
Association. This was received with the usual noisy approval. He
wanted an association which the boys themselves would run; make their
own laws, elect from their own numbers the officers, and everything
connected with the running of the association to be under their
supervision. On that Christmas day one hundred and two boys were
enrolled in the new association, and their gentleman friend elected
president, with Jimmy as vice-president.
The president was requested “to get busy,” and, “prepare rules an’ such
things as we can work by.”
After this meeting, Jimmy’s friend was known as “Mr. President.”
_PART SECOND_