From the very beginning of the Boyville association there has scarcely
been a day without something of importance transpiring among the boys.
It has been gradually building up, incidents and noble acts showing the
willingness of these boys not only to do right themselves but to assist
others.
The work so humbly begun in 1892, with one hundred or more members,
mostly the poorest boys of the streets, little outcasts, as they are
often called, developed so rapidly under the self-governing plan,
that in the early part of the year 1905 the books of the Boyville
Newsboys’ Association showed a membership of over three thousand boys
under fourteen years of age. This enrollment includes two hundred and
fifty boys who started with the association as sellers and shiners of
shoes, but who today have graduated from the street. The majority of
this number are engaged in some business, lawyers, doctors, commercial
travelers, clerks or working in some trade, and all ambitious not
only to earn a living for themselves but also to lend a helping hand
to those who are in need, ever having in mind the teachings of the
association. The following will show how well some of the principles
have been remembered and how long they remained intact.
Early in January of 1905, a young man brought to the president an old
pocket-book containing twenty-two dollars and sixty cents ($22.60),
together with some letters, the contents of which revealed the fact
that the owner was a poor woman and had been visiting her relatives to
secure assistance in raising money to pay taxes, long since due, on her
home. Names were given, but no residence.
The president said to the young man: “You know we advertise what the
boys find in the daily papers and do everything we can to seek the
owner and—”
“Yes, sir,” replied the young man, “I know all this and have been
through it many years ago. That is just what I want you to do, please
try to find the rightful owner. I want no compensation, and I don’t
want my name mentioned in any way.”
[Illustration: LINING UP READY TO GO TO CHURCH.]
As it was necessary to know who the finder was, so that after the
expiration of thirty days the money could be returned to him, he
finally gave his name and address. When he had left the office,
something about his eyes reminded the president that he had seen him,
somewhere many years ago. Bringing out the Newsboys’ book he found
among the first names recorded eleven years ago, this young man’s.
Following the name was: “Seller, and shiner, age eleven, poor parents,
smart boy,” and on leaving the street, as a seller, became a graduate
member. So, he was a newsboy eleven years ago, and still retained the
desire to do something for others.
About a week after the money was advertised, a very aged lady called.
She minutely described the contents of the pocket-book; she said: “I
was returning from a visit to my son, where I went to get $22.60 to pay
taxes on my home. This amount included some back taxes. The property
was already advertised for sale. What to do when I lost that money I
did not know. My mental suffering was most intense. I walked from the
depot towards the court house and did not miss my pocket-book until I
crossed the bridge. Yes, this is mine.”
During the recital of her story her eyes were filled with tears,
and she showed the mental strain under which she was laboring. When
the pocket-book and the money were handed to her, the change in her
demeanor was beautiful to behold. When the young man was told to whom
the money belonged and the great good it did, he said:
“No money reward could pay me for this. I am only too glad we found the
owner, especially as it belonged to so poor a woman.”
Does it pay to be a life-member of The Boyville Newsboys’ Association?