CHAPTER IX.

HOMELESS BOYS--THE NEWSBOYS' LODGING-HOUSE.

Their Relation to the World, like that of the Indians to Civilization--Life of the Street-boy--His Lightheartedness--His Moral Code--His Religion--Few Addicted to Drinking--Their Generosity--Policy-tickets--Choice of Night Resting-places--Necessity to treat them as Independent Dealers--First Lodging-house for Newsboys In the World--Mr. Tracy--Plans of the Boys for a Scrimmage--Their Defeat--Remarks about their Beds--Origin of the Night-school--And the Sunday Meeting--Surprise at the Golden Rule--Belief in Miracles--Pathos of their songs--The Savings'-bank--Breaking up of Gambling and Money Wasting--Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor--Their Fitness for the Work--Immense Number of Lodgers--The Influence of the House--Payments by the Lads--Description of Rooms--The New Building--Extracts from Journal Statistics...................................................pp. 97-113