The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-08-21

p1crure out OF the box and carefully
placed IL in his pocket. After politely
offering the reporter a cigarette. which
was accepted, he pocketed the box. To
draw him into conversation, the re-
porter asked him whether all newsboys
PLAYED fair.
Nav. Sometimes dey skin. Den I
skin too. Dey don't play sweats much
now. Dey plays craps. Dye play
crapsi It's seven r eleven. Dey'H go
shy q won't fletcher fay. A feller's got
to keep his eye skinned"
The most elaborate questioning did
not elicit clear explanation OF the
term 'faying."
do you ever fight with other boysr'
asked the reporter.
sometimes. Not much. De cops
chases us when we fight"
About how often do you fightf"
"Ain't tell ys l dom fight muchf'
This was said evasively. The reporter
tried again.
Now tell me how often you fight"
In a sullen voice Tug answered:
Jaw, about wunst day. Sometimes
twicet."
Every day in the week.
Nav. I don fight Sundays. / only
had one fight SUNDAYS. n it wuz n
Eyetalian. Dey dom fight square,
Eyetalians dom. Sometimes dey kick a
Teller n hItcher below de belt. If dey
go fer t kick l grab'm by de foot and
dumps'm on der head every time. Wuns,
/ hadder fight on Sunday, n got black
eye"
From the other fellowi"
Nav. From de ole woman. She
hit me wild a broomstick for stayin
out"
Did you ever stealf'
Yep. Stole flowers off de dago feI
lickin' me. He kicked me fer sellin
papers, n got behind him n swiped
lot a flowers, n sa-a-ay, ye'd orter seen
i'm chase me. 1t WIZ de funniest ting
y ever SEEN If wuz bigger I'd smash
de face off i'm on sight, de -
-p
His profanity would have done credit
to a tough of long standing. A boy
came in the Sun office just then with g
bundle, and be happened to look at Tug.
1t was deadly insult.
"Haw v lookin' at2' demanded Tus
in a savage voice.
The little boy was cowed and turned
away. while Tug said:
~ look at me like dat again I'll
break yer jaw. Seer
The reporter explained to Tug that nc
insult had been intended, and to soothe
him spoke about school.
Have you ever been to school, Tugf
"Ye-e-s, Went for year n got sict
Nv it. Schools no good. All ye de
dere is t read n write n smell, n i
don do We no good. See? Kin l read
A little kin read de baseball scor,
an de extrees, n OATS all l need.
kin write Just little, but I'd like t SCI
the bloke dat can skin ME in countin
change. You betcher sweet life he can
do it. Seer
Have you ever been to the country
"Ye-e-s. Lots. Wunst l went on d.
newsboys' 'scursIon, n den often goe:
on de bridge. Our nine, de Youps
Cherries, went out t Prospec' Parf
wuust nd played game dere. Some
times goes to de Park, when l get {
hitch on a truck all de way. A fellei
can't blow in car fare when he amt get
tin much
do you ever 60 to theatre3"
Nav. Only wunst. l went to d.
Thalia teater an Teller wild mug OF
i'm made me tired"
Would you like to goT'
Nav. It's no fun
What would you like to do. any
way"
Tug became plunged in thought anc
finally he said with a grin:
Milk shakes n cigarettes.
you haven't told me your name yet
willie Smit'. De boys call me Tug
cause Willie's' sissy name"
What does your father dor
He works longshOre. / got a sister
too, but she stays home Il helps de oil