San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-08-21
LARGE PART TAKEN BY THE OFFICE
BOY OF A DAILY PAPER.
His Well Developed Nerve Is Calculated
to Carry Him Through Life a Winner.
Other Positions of Some Importance, Yet
They Shrink When Compared with His.

Among all the attaches of big newspaper
there is one who imagines himself the head
and front of the concern, the pre-eminent
manager of the office, but for whose untiring
energies and indomitable will the paper would
never find its way to the subscribers front
doorsteps two hours before sunrise, rain or
shine, every day in the week, including Sun
days. This self important individual on whose
shoulders rests so great responsibility is no
less parsonage than the office boy, the
much abused, greatly maltreated, and ever
moderated youth who spends many sleepless
nights worrying about the editorial conduct
of the paper.
The office boyi is not, properly speaking,
marvel of probity. He is a nearer kin to the
devil He may think he gets up the paper,
but he doesn't. He only assists, and he as
sists in his own peculiar way. He is always
in the way when one doesn't want him, and
is never around when there is an urgent case
on hand which requires his immediate atten-
ton. He is slower than his brother of the
district messenger service, and chews gum,
keeping time with his jaws to all his move
ments But he isn't aware, or pretends not
to be, that there is anything in his general
make up which tends to detract in the least
from the many excellent qualities he thinks
he possesses.
Johnny thinks he has hard struggle for
an existence, but Johnny is mistaken. It's
true he has to run back and forth hundred
times in the course Of a night between the
local and telegraph rooms and the composing
room. 1t is also true that everybody wants
him at the same time, and on such occasions
he has to bring his fine Judgment as news
paper man into play and decide on the spur
of the moment whom to serve first. The
copy in the local room must be carried into
the composing room Immediately; likewise
big bundle of news that has just arrived
by the lightning process over a copper wire.
The foreman, too, has some proofs which
must be taken at once to the proof reader,
but Johnny, if he is as bright as the average
office youngster, knows just whom to serve
first. Strange to say, he doesn't attempt to
run all three errandS at once. He doesn't go
to the nearest place either, but hurries, after
his own fashion, to the room where he would
stand the best chance of getting blowing
up If he didn't answer the call promptly.
Ten minutes later he shuffles into the local
room.
"Did you ringT' he asks.
Ring! Why we've been ringing for you
for the last half hour
mo you haven't, either. I've been sitting
out by the elevator for the last ten minutes
and you haven't rung once during that time"
well, here now, take this copy out and
hurry up about it. Tell Mr. Jones that this
leads the South side murder with display
head"
who was murdered?" asks the boy.
"Peter Brown. Hurry up, now"
who killed hims"
"Oh, Sam Williams killed him in a saloon
row on Clark street. Now take that COPY out
and hurry up about it for the first edition.
"All right, sir. Did he shoot him or stab
himF"
"Will you take that copy ostY" asks the
copy reader, losing his temper.
well, amt | taking it out: What are
you givin' us' Do you take me for streak
of ightningf
This is more than the copy reader can
stand. He jumps up and makes for the fiery
headed youth, but on these occasions Johnm
displays his latent agility. lie invariablv
reaches the door first and slams it in the
others face with the parting admonition that
he's 'gettin too fresh"
Johnny starts out with the COPY after this
little episode, and as he couldn't get the in
formation he wanted verbally he stops on
the way to digest the contents of the copv.
1t is important that he should know every
thing that goes into the paper, but he hasn't
the employees of the local room up
to recognition of that fact yet. He homes
to do so before long. He hopes also to get
raise of salary soon, for he is tired of 'swork.
ing himself to death" for a dollar a week and
car fare
Johnny has one sympathizing friend into
whose willing ear he pours all his woes. This
Is the elevator man. He gives the youngster
all the free rides he wants down to the street
ioor and back and thereby incurs his ever
lasting friendship. Johnny swears bv the
man who manipulates the wire rope that con-
trolls the movements of the elevator cage and
that individual is the only person whom he
recognizes as his superior For him he will
10 any service. He is the only person about
The Office whom Johnny envies his position
and the only one on whom he won't play
.ricks
After Johnny has had one of his frequent
'ows with the copy readers in the local or
room he seeks consolation from his
riend
The office boy is the only person in news
'aPer Office who does just as he p eases. When
he circus comes to town he takes his day off
without asking anybOdy's permission. On
no Fourth Of July he touches off a big fire
Tacker under the proofreader's desk and
ticksa crooked pin in the night EDITORS chair
o get even with that individual for sending (
i'm out after his midnight lunch He never !
means to do any Of these things They and |
hundred other annoying little tricks that |
o Is responsible for are accidents, and when !