The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-19
BIZ SHEAR DETER MINITION.
The Small Texan Stranded In New York
Got His Bu.iness Stnrt as NeMsboy.

got HIS business start as NewsbOy.
Shorty the Barber is the title the newsboys,
bootblacks, and other inhabitants OF City Hall
Park have bestowed upon n brown-faced,
healthy-looking little lad of II. Shorty is
a comparative stranger, even in the park
where there are so many unknowns. He arrived
from Dallas. Tex, one day last week on "a cattle
train, and when he had the nerve to ask the
boss for his pay for attending the cattle. he re-
ceived u kick and IA cCif, and found himself
stranded in the metropolis. not knowing
where he was going to get his next
meal. There was no use in his seeking
justice, he argued, as nobody would take his
word against the all-powerful cattle boss, who
could claim with truth that he had furnished
shorty with a 81 suit of jeans and had fed him
for three weeks because he had 10 have him to
help care for the cattle. Shorty was a sturdy
little American lad, and was not disconnected at
the thought that an atom like himself would
never be noticed by anybody except the Gerry
society. So he just clenched his chubby fists
and started on, to hustle for his living. Natu:
lions, found himself staring through, -
window in the Registers Office at n clerk
clipping sheets, of paper with a big pair OF
shears. Out OF doors ON every side there were
little fellows OF his own size and age selling
papers and blacking boots, but he had not even
the limited capital required I. launch out in
lie divided his attention between the Regis
ter,S clerk and a crowd OF h9odlums gathered
on IN the stoop shooting craps: lie lo1ged TO Join
ment of the crap game, but he was penniless, and
the capitslistic crap shooters had no use
look on he was bound to be pummelied
against being ho0d0oed. Suddenly an idea
suggested itself 10 him ~ he caught sight OF u
paralyzrd. and shorty saw the clerk lay down
the shears. He walked over to the open win
dow, and in a ~falterinR tone said:
Hey, mister, lend US yer shears fer a few
The CLERK, turned in surprise at the request
and weighed shorty up from head 10 foot.
What do you want'em for :" he asked.
II tist wanted ter make a few cents cuttin'!
feller's hair" replied shorty. pointing toward
The clerk looked at Gimpy and an amused
"Al right, here ware, Now mind, young man.
II YOU attempt TO run of with them I'll have You
Thank YER said Shorty. as II the arrest was
He took the shears. and, approaching ths
Does any OF youse fellers want yer hair cutf
Cause II you do. kin do 1t good, an it'll only
shorty eyed Gimpy as he made this announce
ment, and the lame lad became interested. Tbs
and the players stared at shorty.
T" Holy smoke! will yer git ON ter der size of
IT," said Red Brannigan, no bigger than shorty
himself, but his remark was irowned down BY
the Others.
TO on, ulLnpS, You heeds a cut nlt one.
said one OF the group,
Well. I'm in tn habit Of hsvin' a shampoo
wild me haircut, an you can't do that, kin yer 2"
Yer bet yer life | kim said shorty, and
Gimpy WAS induced To submit Ia the operation.
The other lads crowded around and hOwled
with delight at ShOTty's efforts. Gimpy's hair
WAS as thick as tow. IL was tangled up into
knots and kinks. and ShOrty's job was not an
easy one. The shears were not very sharp
either. and at every clip Gimpy's fare
assumed an expression OF pain. The fob was
finally completed and Gimpy's head. shOrn as IL
was in terraces, might have been a living pic
ture ~ the CITY Han steps in hair; but he did not
mind appearances. lie ran his hand over II and
seemed satisfied TO know that his hair was gone.
Dyer trust - be querisd, fishing ia his
pockets for the required nickel.
No. said shorty, clutChing the shears in .
threatening manner.
How about der shampoo - asked Gimpy.
That's all right but pay fer der haircut"
The crowd chimed In IN shorty's favor and
Gimpy had To pay.
Now, II yer wants a shampoo" said Shorty
as he Pncketed the i've pennies, yer kin 90
over to der fountain"
Shorty's tonsorial abilities created such =
favorable impression that Two more newsboyA
derldcd tn try il, and even Red Branuigan was
induced Ia undergo the operation. The Regis
ister's clerk, who watched the proceedings from
the window, received ms shears back and
Shorty went mp Park rOw 90 get a square meal.
lie had enough money LEFT Ia buy a stock OF pa
pcrs and hU H. "A uGwsbOy now.