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The Street World

A waif noticed by American Red Cross personnel as she wandered through Irkutsk’s freight yards in 1919.

American Red Cross representatives in Siberia during the Civil War encountered this homeless girl, who approached them with the words "Please help my brother!"

A homeless girl with her infant brother in Siberia during the Civil War.

Homeless youths photographed at large around the Soviet Union.

Homeless youths photographed at large around the Soviet Union.

Homeless youths photographed at large around the Soviet Union.

Homeless youths photographed at large around the Soviet Union.

A street girl in Moscow featured on the cover of an émigré publication.

Waifs seeking refuge in a vacant shed.

A boy discovered in a haystack outside Saratov.

A pair at the mouth of their burrow near Khar’kov (where they lived before entering an institution).

A group huddled for warmth in a garbage bin.

Two pictures spliced together—each showing children discovered living in a dump.

Accommodations in a caldron used by construction workers during the day to melt asphalt.

A boy observed living in a den of adult thieves in Saratov.

Four young travelers in their "berths" underneath trains.

Four young travelers in their "berths" underneath trains.

A beggar.

A scuffle over begging receipts.

Drawings by former besprizornye in Khar’kov showing street children stealing luggage from a train car (fig. 20), belongings of people sleeping overnight in a station (fig. 21), produce and the contents of a pocket (fig. 22), and cigarettes (fig. 23).

Drawings by former besprizornye in Khar’kov showing street children stealing luggage from a train car (fig. 20), belongings of people sleeping overnight in a station (fig. 21), produce and the contents of a pocket (fig. 22), and cigarettes (fig. 23).

Drawings by former besprizornye in Khar’kov showing street children stealing luggage from a train car (fig. 20), belongings of people sleeping overnight in a station (fig. 21), produce and the contents of a pocket (fig. 22), and cigarettes (fig. 23).

Drawings by former besprizornye in Khar’kov showing street children stealing luggage from a train car (fig. 20), belongings of people sleeping overnight in a station (fig. 21), produce and the contents of a pocket (fig. 22), and cigarettes (fig. 23).

Groups of waifs playing cards, a favorite pastime among those accustomed to the street. The trio in figure 24 is perched on top of a train.

Groups of waifs playing cards, a favorite pastime among those accustomed to the street.

Groups of waifs playing cards, a favorite pastime among those accustomed to the street.

Patterns for tattoos worn by children at the Moscow Labor Home.