The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-06
street"-stays at safe distance to see that

street"-stays at safe distance to see that
he is not robbed.
Jack Robinson in the world of the peri
patetic paper and flower merchants is
known only as "Montie" Robinson, the
prince of "button-holes, as those who
veud them call the small bouquets.
During the week days this wee mite
makes 50 for only two or three hours;
work, and Saturday night be sleeps in his
pants so he can wake up at O'clock in the
morning and 90 out and sell the big Sun
day papers.
"For Sunday is the best day of all for
selling papers," said MONTE" as he
stopped for q moment to talk last night
Every one buys papers and button
holes Sundays, so then / work all day and
j make twice as much as usual" 10 re-
Spouse to the question the amateur Front
street merchant replied: II like to sell
'button-holeS' better than papers, for they
don't cost Sc much and | make more on
each one"
A youth of seven years, be has the first
business principles in nutshell. But
then he has had great experience. for be
has been selling buttonholes two years,
ever since he was five years old, Just
large enough to talk plainly.
Monte believes he is one of the pioneers
of San Francisco, for he said. Just think,
I've lived here seven Years!" To be sure
he Is only seven, but seven is a lar2e
figure to him.
Just then wel-dressed lady purchased
bouquet gave him five cents extra, and
Montie; lifting his hat politely. said
THANK you"
who taught you to lift your hat ?''
my mother and nv teacher" was the
reply. I'VE learn all sorts OF politene IS
at school. l go to school every day and
I'm second to the smarsest boy in my
room. l can spell anything," and he began
spelling words of alarming length.
He was questioned concerning the trib-
ulatOnS of his business life, and replied
ION, yes. II every boy don't keep in his
place every other one robs bin. [ stay
here on MONTGOMERY street all of the time.
Once in awhile | go to the large hotels
where have regular customers. Do you
know any millionairos ?" be abruptly
queried. well, l DO, and | have some
Tor regular customers. There's Jim Flood,
isn't be millionaire two or three times
He's one Of them. and Mr.. Sands Forman,
who used to be Supervisor, and Mr.. Walk
1ngton, hardware merchant; they're al
my customersW and Montie's large eye:
beamed as his small chest expanded
with business pride. He regards lions
wild bears and millionalreS in the same
class as terrorlZng species.
These men have given him extra quarters
ana dimes and ne has very warm regard
for them. Are the people you accOst IN
kind to you ever?" was asked and MONTE
giggled. Yes, there's one man whC
always shouts, Get out of here and jus
laugh at him. l don't care" and he wa!
fairly convnlSed with the idea of beinl
hurt because he was told to "get out o.
here"
Monte lives on Harrison street and b,
says be gives all his money to his mother
When talking he has habit of stoppipi
suddenly and thinking for several seconds
1t was after one of these pauses while h,
was discussing the newspapers of this city
and a recent temporary boycott by tn
newsboys that he earnestly demanded
do you know what boycott means p
Eyes, Ii is 10 refuse to buy a certain arti
Gle that one has been accustomed Il
using"
Monte was not satisfied with that def
milton aud he explained, with slow i'm
pressiveness, gesticulating with his fore
finger, mo. boycott means if boy buy
a boycotted paper the other boys will
grab 'sm, and tear 'em up."
MONTE is not only student, financie
and socialist, but politician as we'll. ii
has quite pronounced views about the va
rious candidates. He first asked to hav
one question settled. He had been debai
ing with a man about how many cand
dates could be in the field for one Office
wished, but his opponent had said thf
only five could contend for an office. III
was greatly relieved when informed ths
he was correct
Mr.. Ebert is Montis's candidate for th
mayoralty, and his pockets are full OF e)ei
ton cards. "Do you want electric cars o
Kearny sIreet? he eagerly questioned