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Child Toilers Of Boston Streets

Creator: Emma E. Brown (author)
Date: 1879
Publisher: D. Lothrop and Company, Boston
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10  Figure 11  Figure 12  Figure 13

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47  

"Begging the gentleman to wait a few moments, I looked over my books," said the officer, "found the boy's number which the gentleman had noticed upon his badge, and in the course of fifteen minutes the lad stood before us. He hung down his head when we began to question him, and I feared, at first, that the boy was guilty; but the alacrity with which he handed the gentleman his change, and his repeated declarations that he came back to his stand just as quick as he could, but the gentleman had gone, quite satisfied the latter, and we both concluded it was better to let the little fellow go. But you can see by this instance what kind of reins we hold over the boys, and how quickly any misdemeanor on their part renders them liable to forfeiture of 'license.'"

48  

In selling papers, the old proverb holds true -- it is the "early bird that gets the worm," and a deal of competition is shown among these enterprising little venders.

49  

The several editions are hardly out of press, before our newsboys are "on the spot; "and Herald, Journal, Globe, Advertiser, Traveller, Times, Transcript, and Post are sounded through the streets by three hundred pairs of lungs, long before the ink is dry.

50  

But if you want to see a genuine "rush," look into Williams Court some afternoon between the hours of three and four. For the "five o'clock edition," as it is called, though really ready for distribution an hour or two earlier, is the most important issue of the day; and the "hand to hand" scramble then, for the first sheets as they come from the printers, is an exciting scene, well worth witnessing.

51  

In the peculiar, weird light of the narrow Court, the little urchins rushing, tumbling, screaming, hurrying hither and thither, and reaching pell-mell one over, the other, look more like little elves than actual children; but while you are wondering where they have all come from, so suddenly, and why it is they do not get into some inextricable tangle, there comes an unexpected lull- in another instant the court is deserted, and up and down Washington street, on Tremont Row, at the depots, the ferries, the different street corners, the entrance to theatre, concert and lecture rooms, on the horse-cars, the Common, the gardens, the various public squares, the evening trains -- no matter where you turn, the newsboy's shrill cry pierces your brain.

52  

During "elections," the little fellows are frequently up all night; and any "special" news matter, -- as a great fire, a murder, or a disaster at sea, -- is always locked upon as a windfall, because of the "extra" sales it will bring. The Sunday papers all give them a larger percentage of profit, than the dailies; but through the week more Heralds are sold upon the street than any other of our city journals.

53  

It would be interesting if we could trace out the histories of our little newsboys, as, one after another, they outgrow their street occupations, and seek more manly employments.

54  

Sometimes, they learn a trade, enter shops or set up business for themselves; and to one lad who has proved himself especially worthy, I am told a fine position has been given, in one of our leading newspaper establishments. The life of a newsboy, as you see, is certainly one that is full of temptation, full of hardship; but always proves a good training school, if right influences can only be thrown about the

55  

THE SHOVEL BRIGADE.

56  

"My eyes, Mike! here's a job sure's fun! Wake up, old fellow, I say!"

57  

"Heigho! What's up, Jack?" yawns sleepy Mike from the farthest corner of the old mat that has served them both for a bed.

58  

"Big snowstorm -- reg'lar nor'easter -- foot and half deep, and not a sidewalk shovelled yet! Hurry up, old Lazybones, or Teddy and Jim'll be ahead of us!"

59  

It is hardly light, and Jack, as he rubs off a corner of the frosty pane, can see nothing in the street below but one unbroken mass of pure white snow. How pretty Ferry Court looks in its new dress! Why! even the old ash-heaps, the refuse barrels, and the broken bottles, stand out like so many groups of carved marble.

60  

But that isn't what Jack is thinking about, as he stands there at the window with hands in his pocket! The truth is, the little fellow is cold, hungry and sleepy -- he was out last night till nearly midnight selling newspapers,- and though he wouldn't miss these extra ''jobs" for the world, he doesn't quite relish the idea of starting off without his breakfast.

61  

"I say, Mike, do yer think they'll give us a bite at the big house 'round the corner?"

62  

"Like enough, Jack, there's a jolly fat cook there! but hold on a minute. It's dry snow just like powder. We'll need the big broom and shovel both."

63  

"All right. Start along, Slow-coach, I'll take one and you take t'other."

64  

And Jack, foremost in everything, leads off with the great iron shovel shouldered like a musket, while Mike, with the old twig broom, lags on behind.

65  

Half way down the street they meet little Nicholas Grasaro, who means to get a "job," too, before it is time to give his customers a "shine." They are old comrades -- the three boys, -- for though Nicholas is only a boot-black not "up" in the newspaper trade like Jack and Mike, they all belong to the same "fraternity," and meet daily at the "Newsboys' and Bootblacks' School," down on North Margin Street.

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