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.” That same little boy, who was given a warning by a fellow companion with a little authority, today receives a salary of eight hundred dollars a year in an important commercial position. In every city of our land there are hundreds of boys like this “good boy at home,” who on the street surprises their most intimate friends by their wickedness. [Illustration: “TROW DE CIGARETTE AWAY.” _See Page 74_ ] The newsboy cannot gain admission to many of the boys clubs, debating clubs, athletic clubs, and is often debarred from many of our greatest christian associations, because he is a being within himself, he stands alone in his class, a creation of his own acts and deeds, and goes upon the street at that age when environment molds his future, and generally molds it bad. A question is often asked, what would become of a boy if he were left to himself, with no training, no guidance, no education. A boy of the street, who is dead to home influences, or worse, who is driven out to make a living for himself by heartless parents or guardians, or unfortunate conditions of life, and there are hundreds of them in every city, becomes a power in himself. For evil, first. “For the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” If left alone the evil will get the upper hand. The street teaches irregular habits and restlessness. The following incident will show how diligent were the boys, not officers, in watching their companions.