River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-16
TEE ROUSTABOUT.

- nv -
Dan was what they called .rousta-
bout around the Office The Office
was large daily newspaper establish
ment in lively western city.
Danwas ten years old, and small for
his age. He had the old look that most
boys have when they have known moth
ing but neglect and poverty all their
lives. He had been poorly fed, badly
clothed and entirely neglected all his
life. In regard 20 who and what his
parents We're, Dams mind was blank;
It might as well have been 50, for had
Dan been enlightened in regard to his
parentagc, the knowledge would not
have reflected much honor upon him,
nor would it have given him pleasure.
They had never had any love for little
Dan, and had deliberately deserted him
when he was less than six years old.
He had been left in a garrett with a
brother two years older than himself;
but even this brother had deserted him,
and Dan was entirely alone.
The hoy whose place Dan had
taken had fallen down the elevator
way in the Morning Advertiser
Office one evening, and had
received such severe injuries that he
would never be able TO walk without
crutches.
Its our busiest night said the
foreman of the office. I'VE cannot get
along without another boy at once. I'll
90 down on the street, and see if | can
not pick up some little lad who can ill
poor Thompson's place until l can get
some one permanently.
Dan was the first 'sittle lad MIR.
Hopkins, the foreman, happened to
meet
1t was an extremely cold night in
January. The ground was white with
snow. The night was clear. and there
was what some one has called san
eager and nipping air" Mr.. Hopkins
buttoned his overcoat up tight under
his chin, and wound great scarf
around his head before stepping out of
! the office.
He had gone but half block when
he Tan against Dan, who was on the
lookout for some open entry or cellar
way into which he might Slip for the
night If nothing better offered, he
knew of a great hogshead in the rear
of a crockery store, into which he could
| drag his pinched and chilled little body
| There was little straw in the hogs
| head in which Dan thought he might
''cuddle up as snug as bug in a rug"
as he expressed it.
Hello said Mr. Hopkins. catching
sight of Dan in the glare that came
| from a shop window. I'm looking for
! a boy; you want iob?"
| Yes, sir, replied Dan eagerly;
I'm do it for five cents, sir, whatever
it is.
I'm give you twenty-five cents, if
Guy are bright enough to do what |
want done tonight, replied Mr.. Hop
kins.
The night boy in the office of the
Morning Advertiser had to report for
| duty at. six in the evening. and from
that time until four i'm the morning he
was subject to the beck and call of the
| foreman and the editors in the various
parts of the office He was sent on
errands to the post-office and the tele-
graph office. He went out after cigars.
and not unfrequently after beer and
wine, if the editors happened to be in a
conyiyial mood, which condition they
they happened to be in pretty often.
Dan thought. He proved himself to
be 50 bright and obliging that Mr.. Hop
kins had decided on keeping him per-
manently; an act OF kindness and char
ity for which | hope he may be re-
warded,
Dams position was not as pleasant as
it might have been but the two dollars
he received every Saturday night made
amends for certain unpleasant and an
moving things Most of the editors and
reporters were lively young fellows,
who made lian the object of many of
their Jokes and tricks.
The printers must have their sport
with 1.-THE kid. as they called Dan,
when he passed through the composing
room, rs he often had occasion to do
They meant no unkindness. and
often sent nickel or dime flying
after him instead of ball of paper,
or some equally Objectionable thing
But Dan could not help wishing
that they would keep their
cigar stumps to themselves. and
was inclined to resent the liberties they
took with his nose and ears, when in
their more mischicvous moods they
twcakod those parts of Dan at their
own pleasure. Rut Dan was quite con-
cent 70 rcDaia III tie Advertiser office.
I'm in Clover he declared to a
boy he had known in less prosperous
days. I'm warm all the time and get
three square meals every day, and often
have fifty or sepeatF=tiyG cents left Of Il
Saturday night after paying for my
meals, Look at them there
Them there" consisted of pair of
entirely new boots-something Dan had
never had before in all his life.
Bought EN- with my own money!
he said triumphantly,
Bun ii was slow work saving money
out of two dollars week. aud Dams
clothes were thin and ragged. He
needed new suit very much.
He slept in the Advertiser building,
sometimes on the engine floor close to
the fires, sometimes in tie editorial
rooms on Pile Of exchanges, He
might sleep there until the janitor
made his rounds In the morning. when
Dan would be routed out of what he
thought was a very snug bed; then he
would stow himself in any corner he
could find, aud sleep until he had to 60
on duty at night think it was rather
hard task for so little a fellow, and
one who ought to have been IN school, |
Dan thought himself that he ought |
to be in school, but was very much |
afraid that he would never be able to |
20 10 school at all. Seems rs if I've |
got to hustle for my own Twin - he
would say.
one night In March Dan was Ill. |
He tried TO do his work as usual. but |
felt so badly that he could hardly walk |
around The foreman noticed tho |