Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 199, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1912 — Depraved Benevolence. [ARTICLE]

Depraved Benevolence.

“One of the queerest old human freaks in New York shows up around the police station whenever there is a report of runaway boys in town," said a policeman. “His purpose would not be exactly approved by the Bible societies. He does not want to lecture the boys or send them home or improve their morals in any way. He simply -wants to gratify their thwarted ambition and show them Coney island and the Bowery before they are yanked back home by-angry parents. That is what most of them run away for—to nee Coney island and the Bowery—and this old codger argues that any boy who. has grit enough to stand the hardships of a stolen ride to New York ought to be allowed to see those places. His benevolence isn’t all wind, either. He is willing to foot the bills if the boys will be allowed to go; but very few of them are. That Is breaks the old gentleman’s heart. He lays aside a small Sum of money each year for this peculiar charity.”