By further questioning it was learned that the clothes he had on were given to him some two months ago and had not been taken off since he put them on. This may seem strange, but it is only one of the dozen of cases where parents do not require the removal of their boy’s clothes when they go to bed.
The peculiar odor coming from boys who are treated in this shameful manner will prove this. This boy walked from a neighboring city, or stole a ride on some freight-train. He had been shining shoes around the market-space for a month or more, and declared that to be in the push, to be recognized by men, and to secure business, it was necessary to swear and be tough.
“I wouldn’t be a bootblack,” he said, “if I couldn’t swear, the men wouldn’t shine if I didn’t.”
The newsboys who frequented the market were very much put out by this boy’s swearing and general tough appearance, so when opportunity favored they began their missionary work, with the result of persuading the shiner to accompany them to the president’s office.
The boy had a very attractive face. He was worth saving.
“So, you come to see me about joining the association,” said the president.
The boy replied: “The boys say I can make more money if I cut out swearin’ an’ belong to the association.”
“They tell me you swear and sometimes don’t know how to give correct change to your customers. If that’s so you are just the kind of a boy we want. You little hustling fellows make our best young men. You don’t wait until someone comes to you for a shine. I have seen you follow a man who had red shoes a whole square. You will make a good business man, and these little boys, friends of yours, are just the kind of boys who will help you, will bring you business, will tell you where to get something good to eat, and I think we can throw away your old ragged clothes and get a new suit, how would you like that?”