The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-05
n Very Funny Little Business.
Robert Makes a Good Income From
THE KNOCKER-UP.

1t isn't evry boy who can earn 4
shillings a week and yet have each
and every day free 10 play in or to at
tend school.
'Robert is in business now. He
gives me his money every Saturday
night" says Roberts mother proudly.
Indeed? What line are you in?
Didn't I see you over on the rink with
the other boys this afternoon" Robert
is asked.
I'm a knocker-up?" he answers.
"Old Mr.. Woods was the knocker-up
ell this time, bur he's a sickly body,
and so bad with the rheumatic that he
was glad to get rid of the job. hand
him over sixpence each week for the
good WILL
1t was in a Lancashire cottage that
Shis conversation took place. IN
quaint country village, called Walton
lie dale nestled among the hills near
Preston. There are big cotton mills at
a little distance, and, looking from the
window the next morning the ledger
from over the sea sees Robert engaged
at his task. It is but little after
o'clock and the sun does not dream of
getting up yet, but the sleepers in the
long rows OF red brick cottages must
prepare for work.
Rap, tapi tap, tap. tap" sounds
the metal knocker on the door of the
end cottage in the row. Time to get
upI" calls Robert Justify. when there
is no answering sound within. Then
he steps down off IF the little steps
(doorsteps and facings as clean as con-
slant scrubbing can make them), and
his clogs click sharply on the pave
Rat. tap tap-i-t-tap, tap, tap" he
knocks, contriving variations in the
tune
"AH right" shouts a cherry voice
inside. and an upper window opens and
a girls tousled head appears. Kinder
iate this mornin'. Nina; better
hurry" leases Robert, looking I'D.
Then he goes his way. rapping in
sistently on the on the black knock
ers. sometimes experimenting his sum-
mons with words when occasion de-
Eaands Presidently he has made the
tour of that row of homes and goes
into the street behind to waken the
slumberers there. II is getting a little
lighter then. and the growing daylight
helps him with his work In all. he is
not absent more than an hour attend
ing to business
''The Sedleys sleep like logs, I have
always TO knock them up a second
time after / finish my rounds" he
tells. as he eats his morning porridge.
People are so Different. The Nc
Firms spring out-of bed almost before
my hand is off the knocker."
Do you like the business?'' the
ledger asks.
First rate" the boy answers as he
gulps down a thick piece OF parkin.
It's great fun and it makes me awful
hungry. Not so jolly in winter
though" he adds. Il have to take a
lantern then. and I yell at Mr.. Sedley's
Window till I'm hoarse."
Inquiry develops that the Walton lie
telle folks pay three pence ha' penny
week TO the knocker-up, but the
Farn1dale people, over the bridge. only
give three pence Robert has a crony
who is in the business there, and he
KNOWS. Roberts mother has thrifty,
energetic helpers. for Rese. his ten
year-old sister. takes in a ably TO
nurse every Saturday afternoon and
makes a tidy sixpence." to quote her
own words. by so doing. The baby's
mother works in the factory and
wants Saturday for her outing. the
woman VINO olives with her and who
minds the baby all the week. seeking
the Same recreation. REESE puts the
baby in It's perambulator. fixes It's
bottle OF milk and carries it out on
the links for she afternoon. only oc-
casionally does she have TO bring i
home and give it hot dring and Trot
il UP and down because II is fretful.
EGYPTIAN MAGIC.
The Egyptian cobra is not unlike its
Asiatic cousin, except in the absence OF
the curious spectacle-like mark which
distinguishes the latter. Although il is
the most poisonous reptile known to in
habit northern Africa, it is the favorite
among the snake charmers. These con-
iurers know how to render this serpent
rigidly unconscious by pressing the nape
of its neck with finger. This act ap-
pears to throw the reptile into cara-