The delivery boys made their money from the tips they received, Ehrich usually made about 3.00 a week. The family continued to be very poor. In December 1887 the family was about to be evicted from their apartment. Ehrich had an idea to pin a little card on all the packages he delivered a week before Christmas. The card read, Christmas is coming.
Turkeys are fat.
Please drop a quarter in the messenger boy s hat. Ehrich came home with a great deal of money earned from tips. He did this every day until Christmas. He gave the money to his mother and the family was able to pay the rent. For the next several years Ehrich had many other odd jobs.