ious farmers in the West, while one
of the same family, remaining here, would soon be heard of in Sing Sing
or the city prisons.

The history of the growth of the "Nineteenth-street Gang" is only one
example of the histories of scores of similar bands of ruffians now in
process of formation in the low quarters of the city.

Our preventive agency was now placed, through the especial assistance of
one of our trustees, in a better building, in Eighteenth Street. Here we
had all our moral "disinfectants" under one roof, in the best possible
efficiency.

The person to be appointed Superintendent, whom I had accidentally
encountered, was a "canny Scotchman," and proved singularly adapted to
the work. I feared at first that he was "too pious" for his place; as
experience shows that a little leaven of carnal habits, and the jolly
good nature which Religion ought only to increase, but which, when
misapplied, it does sometimes somewhat contract, is useful in
influencing these young heathen of the street. Perhaps they are so far
down in the moral scale, that too strict a standard, when first applied
to them, tends to repel or discourage them.

I particularly dreaded our friend's devotional exercises. But time and
experience soon wore off the Scotch Presbyterian starch, and showed that
the "root of the matter" was in him. The first quality needed in such a
position is patience--a spirit which is never discouraged by ingratitude
or wearied out by ill conduct. This our apparently somewhat
sternly-righteous superintendent could attempt to show.

Then, next, the guide of such lads must be just--inflexibly just--and
exact in the smallest particulars; for, of all things which a street-boy
feels, is first any neglect of obligations.

This virtue was easy to the superintendent. He had, too, in him a deep
well of kindness for the forlorn and unfortunate, which the lads soon
appreciated. To my great satisfaction, at this time a gentleman threw
himself into the movement, who possessed those qualities which always
command success, and especially the peculiarities with which boys
instinctively sympathize.

He was gifted with a certain vitality of temperament and rich power of
enjoyment of everything human, which the rough lads felt immediately. He
evidently liked horses and dogs; a drive four-in-hand, and a gallop "to
hounds," were plainly things not opposed to his taste. He appreciated a
good dinner (as the boys happily discovered), an