The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-21


TONS for the sale Of newspapers and periodicals.
There also cODgegated about, and radating from
the same focus something less than thousand news
boys a class Of little bpeds, made up OF elements
which in all the world besides would be considered
without the scope OF either analysis or synthesis
These noisy juveniles drive the business, but
OF course pay rent All mercantile branches have
their leading article whether carried on within doors
or in the outer world, aud the newspaper business
forms exception. The New York HERALD holds
the same indsputabe pre- em,nencein that tradethat
| sugar and coffee do IN country grocery store. 10
| have the HERALD then, Ia absolutely Necessary; to
get it first is great advantage. For some years past,
the Publisher Of this paper has been in the practice
Of sending it on to the ycnders ~ TINS cy outside
the msil IL packages addressed to EACH SO as 10 ad
NIT of an easy distribution at the depot IN kenslng.
ton and without any further interference on the part
of the post Office. III the onset the boys az well as
shopkeepers receive their supplies regularly and al
l the same time; the point OF reception being ~ Inc
Exchange, and nearly two miles from the depot me
boys however becsIne dsc0ntented with the course
OF things, and resolved to lers the matter III tnoh
own hands. They held meeting at the corner OF
street, OF course and decided TO establish forth
With, an "lndian Express In furherance Of this
+, object, they appointed committee to survey the
route, and in especial reference to the air line doc
trine. Tho Iesult without going into detail, was
that tie plan was PIT into successful operation on
the succeeding morning and as each express boy
prohibited from running more than three squares
before allowing himself to he relieved by the next
on the line, at least thirty minutes gained over
tie shopkeepers and local dealers.
Now, when an ipdisidual rents place In one Of
our principal thorous hfares, whatever may be his
business lac becomes at once an object OF interest
to the party not Of progress. The shopkeepers re-
ereG to- took the usual interest under this humane
tendency OF things, and the morning after the one
which recorded the success OF the boy found the
enterprise of these frendless little imps character
ised as the most reprehensible OF Outrages. The
democratic papers, however, took up the gauntlet,
and finally, conquered peace;" and it was said,
that the Guadalupe Hidalgo adjustment was all on
the side of the boys.
Well, now, as the Yankees say, about three weeks
after the events referred to, that Is about eighteen
months ago, while. sitting. in my office in Walnut
street tile Exchange, for shall have to be lit
tie personal in this singular record, saw the door
open, ard HERALD boy enter with large bundle of
unfolded papers Without raising his eyes, or no
tcing single object around him, he stepped up to
a case which lay near the entrance, and finding it
just tie right height, and of sufficient width, he laid
his papers upon the top and began at to straight
en- them ont, and fold them in a manner suitable to
the street trade. Watched him until became quite
Interested in the sober, taciturn selfpossessed meth
cd with which he handled the damp almost smoking
sheets. lie was stumpy little fellow, about eight
years old wore round brown jacket, and had on his
head leather cap without rim or border and so old
that every particle Of colorng matter had long before
evapolated leaving the ground about The shade OF his
own complexion. Luckily, there was no one about
to disturb him, and his job was suon over When the
last paper was folded, he snatched up the bundle,
few at the door and the usual cry OF "Heres the
HERALp. was heralded forth, in voice possessing
cannot say at this momeet that | thought Of the
HERALD boy again that whole day, nor did the next
morning uutil his reappearapcc arrested my atten-
ticn. His manner, looks and operations, were pre-
cisely tue same the second that they had been
the first occasion; and he was Elso equally lucky
in not being disturbed On the morning OF the third
day looked out for him, and was rather grat6ed
TO him enter as before. After this gave orders
that the HERALD boy should not be nteup in
Of his return and that the upon which he was
in the habit Of folding his papers should be allowed
to remain in the same place until Withdrawn by its
owner.
Sunday now interviewed, but the next morning
found the HERALD boy beside the case, aud at his
usual work The next morning it was the same, and
the next, until his visits became much part of
the clock work of the establishment that they ceased
to be regarded by any one but myself. After about
four weeks the case of merchandise was Withdrawn,
but had its place supplied by two smaller ones be
fore the usual hour, and they were adopted by the
| little laborer without discovering the change.
During the whole Of this time, the HERALD boy had
kept his counsel, nor had he, to my knowledge,
spoken to soul in the establishment. He was
ignorant Of any interest that had been awakened in
bis favor, and also of the individual to whom he was
indebted for the inmunities he had been allowed to
enjoy.
After three weeks regular use the two boxes were
also WITHDRAWN then caused the door slides to be
placed upon small trussels aud located in the same
place. These were also adopted. On one occasion
gentleman coming in out OF the snow, laid his UNI
brella upon this convenient place. but discovered it
just in time to have the top slide turned over, so as
to present dry surtace.
Now, thsusands who read these lines il they
should ever be honored especially in the South,
! will say to themselves, Why did he not give the
little ant Of boy ten dollars and send him home;
would have done 80 ~ Reader, you never were
| mere mistaken in your life The same hereditary
| impulse crossed my bosom an hundred times, but it
was checked by the wisdom aich even had
! cleaned from experience. ! would rather have coz
| tended with that boy for quarter OF cent; that
would have tended to confirm him in his habits Of
industry ard economy, whereas ten dollars thrown
carelcssy u his hand would have tended with no
less effect to shame him from his humble pursuits
! The worst Of all virtues is mistaken charity; Ike
the spirit OF abolition, to crafty an inconsidcrate
impulse it hazards the happiness of millions
Through the whole Of that coolest Of cold winters
! the HERALD boy came end went as consistently rs
| tie sun. One bleak stormy day in March, think
about noon, | experienced what the world calls
| pIeseutmeHt; | elt that something was wrong, or
that something wrong was about 10 happen was
| restless uneasy, nervous. Finally, an idea struck
me- ] called W tie 9atchnlan and asked him il the
| HERALD boy had been there that morning. lie told
me he had lot; but thinking or rather hoping tuas
| he might bc mistaken adjourned the matter over
until next mcrning When the usual hour approach
ed fixed my eyes anyiCGsly upon the door. but the
hour came ana passed by without any signs OF The
HFEALp boy. Tic next day and the next, watch
| pointed as before On the morning tf the fourth,
stationed myself outside tie door, ano the 1rst news
boy tl,ot passed ! stopped him and inquired after
| the HIRAID boy; but he knew nothing of him. nor
could after the most yigilaut search throughout the
1lole day gain the slightest knowledge OF lis
whereabouts, or Of anything connected with Gu1h
icing as / was able to d,sc1l1c.
Although Lad frequently spoken Of .he HERALD
boy. / had concealed the rteres! ! felt in hini rs
do Il cir weaknesses, bat now that be had dliap
peaied elt less reluctance at having ny feelings
csnvas,cd INQUIRED from, day to day al tie differ
ent shops End paper Offices, but al TO 10 pir
pose visited the Remington depot at The distribu
ting hous, thinking il possible that he had been
transferred to the "Indan Express but was again
disappointed After week or ~ OF frnitiess inyet
tgatiou / thought OF the House OF Reruge, that
greet big cage for littlo bios. | accordingly made
provision ard on bright porning i'll the early part
Of April, repairt to that Establishment, and made
| my business Snovn 10 an Official. 81 cant tell
sad he after had described the HERALD boy, but
VIC rot EN- here Of most any pattern; yon cln look
tLr1ue and Sc II you see him" ook biri 4 his
| 1...,t II 49,