CHAPTER XIII.
Do you believe a boy that is good at home, one who is cared for and loved as we often see an only child, could possibly do anything bad on the streets, away from home influence?
A neatly dressed boy, a carrier, whose parents “wanted him to learn the trade of the street, to give him self-reliance and business tact, and all that the street teaches without much effort,” when through with his little route of carrying papers insisted upon going, “to the heart of the city and selling papers on special occasions, extras.”
Before Boyville was fully organized the president’s attention was called to this little fellow—as being “a perfect nuisance. He was impudent, frequently used profane language and was one of the worst boys on the street.” At that time the association had but one (boy) officer. He was told to watch this boy. See that he was corrected. “And, above everything not to lose him because he was bad.” Within a month the officer reported “the boy’s parents were among the best in the city, good Christian people, attending church every Sunday, and the boy a regular prize-winner for perfect attendance at Sunday-school. When this boy was away from home, out of sight of his parents—he was a little terror.”
“Well, what did you do with him?” was asked the officer.
“I takes his papers, an’ shows him as how to sell ’em. How to say thank you when he sells to a gemmen or a ladies. And how’s not to be the whole thing when on the street working. He cut out swearing de furst thing. He was easy doing, all he wanted wus guidin.”
“What did he say to your work?”
“When I puts twenty cents in his hand, an’ says this is yourn, he gets wise, he gets next to a good thing and is now working on de square. He is de boss seller on de street an’ no boy kin sell on de corners and swear, or steal. He fights ’em. He does.”