"'All the newsboys of New York have a bad name; but we should show ourselves, and show them, that we are no fools; that we can become as respectable as any of their countrymen, for some of you poor boys can do something for your country-for Franklin, Webster, Clay, were poor boys once, and even Commodore V. C. Perry or Math. C. Perry. But even George Law, and Vanderbilt, and Astor--some of the richest men of New York--and Math. and V. C. Perry were nothing but printers, and in the navy on Lake Erie. And look at Winfield Scott. So now, boys, stand up and let them see you have got the real stuff in you. Come out here and make respectable and honorable men, so they can say, there, that boy was once a newsboy. "'Now, boys, you all know I have tried everything. I have been a newsboy and when that got slack, you know I have smashed baggage. I have sold nuts; I have peddled, I have worked on the rolling billows up the canal. I was a boot-black; and you know when I sold papers I was at the top of our profession. I had a good stand of my own, but I found that all would not do. I could not get along, but I am now going ahead. I have a first-rate home, ten dollars a month, and my board; and I tell you, fellows, that is a great deal more than I could scrape up my best times in New York. We are all on an equality, my boys, out here, so long as we keep yourselves respectable. "'Mr. O'Connor, tell Fatty or F. John Pettibone, to send me a Christmas number of _Frank Leslie's_ and _Harper's Weekly,_ a _Weekly News_ or some other pictorials to read, especially the _Newsboys' Pictorial,_ if it comes out. No old papers, or else none. If they would get some other boys to get me some books. I want something to read. "I hope this letter will find you in good health, as it leaves me. Mr. O'Connor, I expect an answer before two weeks--a letter and a paper. Write to me all about the Lodging-house. With this I close my letter, with much respect to all. "'I remain your truly obedient friend, "'J. K.'" CHAPTER XXII. A PRACTICAL PHILANTHROPIST AMONG THE YOUNG "ROUGHS." A sketch of the long and successful efforts for the improvement of the dangerous classes we have been describing would be imperfect without an account of THE OFFICE OF THE CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY.