—Rychard Fink, in the introduction to Ragged Dick and Mark, the Match Boy, by Horatio Alger

"The down-town Newsboys' Lodging House was at that time located at the corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets. It occupied the fifth and sixth stories of the building then known as the "Sun" building, owned by Moses S. Beach, the publisher of that journal. In the year 1868 circumstances rendered it expedient to remove the Lodge to a building in Park Place. It is to be hoped that at some day not far distant the Children's Aid Society, who carry on this beneficent institution, will be able to erect a building of their own in some eligible locality, which can be permanently devoted to a purpose so praiseworthy.

"Ben and Mark soon reached the enterance to the Lodge on Fulton Street. They ascended several flights of narrow stairs until they reached the top story. Then, opening a door at the left, they found themselves in the main room of the Lodge. It was a low-studded room of considerable dimensions, amply supplied with windows, looking out on Fulton and Nassau Streets. At the side nearest the door was a low platform, seperated from the rest of the room by a railing. On this platform were a table and two or three chairs. This was the place for the superintendent, and for gentlemen who from time to time address the boys.

. . .

"Mark took out his hoard of money, and showed it to the superintendent, who was surprised at the amount.

"'How did you get so much?' he asked.

"'Part of it was given me,' said Mark.

"'What are you going to do with it? You don't need it all?'

"'Will you keep it for me, sir?'

"'I will put as much of it as you can spare into the bank for you. This is our bank.'

"He pointed to a table beside the railing on the outside. The top of it was pierced with narrow slits, each having a number attached. Each compartment was assigned to any boy who desired it, and his daily earnings were dropped in at the end of the day. Once a month the bank was opened, and the depositor was at liberty to withdraw his savings if he desired it. This is an excellent arrangement, as it has a tendancy to teach frugal habits to the young patrons of the Lodge. Extravagance is one of their besetting sins. Many average a dollar and over as daily earnings, yet are always ragged and out at elbows, and often are unsupplied with the small price of a night's lodging at the Home. The money is squandered on gambling, cigars, and theatre-going, while the same sum would make them comfortable and independant of charity. The disposition to save is generally the first encouraging symptom in a street boy, and shows that he has really a desire to rise above his circumstances, and gain a respectable position in the world.

. . .

"A room opposite the main room had been fitted up with a few of the principal appliances of a gymnasium, and these were already in use by quite a number of the boys.

. . .

"The rooms on the floor below are used for lodging. Tiers of neat beds, some like those in a steamboat or a hospital, filled a large room. They were very neat in appearance, and looked comfortable. In order to insure their continuing neat, the superintendent requires such as need it to wash their feet before retiring to bed.

"The supper was of course plain, but of good quality and sufficient quantity."