 But he drew his skill as a writer and speaker from the many nights when, as a growing boy, huddled beside a coal oil lamp for light and warmth, he studied the bible and Shakespeare.As a journalist, he saw first-hand the misery of the street children of his day – youngsters often only five or six years old selling newspapers or begging for money so their parents could pay for drink.He was indignant that these children were being educated for a life of crime and that nobody seemed to care.