The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-20

for himself. It costs the customer no
more than IL would II the boy had to
take a car I'm and out to deliver the mes
sage, and the boy gets q return for the
money he has invested In his bike In
this way many Of the boys have paid
for their wheels out OF car fare charges
saved. while the customer is out nothing
and In on rapid transit OF his message
THAT IL the prologue to the story Of the
reverse Of tips.
MIN
THE other day." said the ofIlcer. - well.
known drug arm Of this city rang for .
messenger. The boy who answered went
on his wheel. There was package OF
medicine to go to the very outskirts Of tho
city. The druggist offered the boy Is cents.
The boy. according to rules. said two bitA'
What for said the druggist. Car fare.'
said the boy. But you have a wheel said
the druggist. and I won't pay car fare;
ride you wheel out there The boy refused.
was reported and the Office sustained him.
1t was none OF the druggists business how
his medicine got to its destination. whether
on street car. or bike or an a.rship. but
he was unwilling to allow the boy to earn
the car fare by wheeling out the distance
another boy rode on the cars. the drugg:st
paying his fare.
us 1t any wonder the boys look for Gus
toners where the tips come easy.
well. that Is about the inside Of the
works" sad the oficer: Ego talk to the
boys"
Y Mx
''Well. suppose you've got the whole
show" said the messenger boy who wanted
a "chanct," sarcasticaliy.
ibid he say anything about messenger
boys standin' In l.ne all night at the box
once OF a theater waitin' TO buy tickets.
with rain ard sleet coming down all
night? Did he say anything about goin'
to house to get message and then tryin'
to deliver II. and the party not BEN at
home and the messenger goin' back and
the party sendin' the note rcfuain' to pay?
Did he say anvthin' about goin' on calls
one after another to locgin' house where
there's five floors and box On each noor
and the messenger never bein' able to ind
out who rung? Did he sag anythn' about
answerin' cail where the package they'd
give you to deliver was bigger than you?
Did he say anythin' about being cussed for
bein' slow when you'd been cussed oil along
the street for riding fast,
'T'll bet you he didn't. No mere win
you. messenger boy II a messenger boy
ana all he's got to 60 IL to keep his month
shut and make his legs ny and then be call
ed a turtle" and with deep disgust he
swer was: "Ah. g'wan- You'll only josh
U.S."
" "
The messenger boys OF Seattle may be
an exception TO the rule. but certain II Is
that more than 20 per cent Of the boys
who have entered the service have after
a year or two. left II for better positions
positions IN which the knowledge they had
gained IN messenger work enables them 10
fiil- In this city there are today no less
than four successful buAlness men who,
as boys. were messengers They learned
how TO buy. what people wanted In the line
they undertook. who would pay and who
would not. and many other things that
served them In after life.
The life Of 4 messenger boy Is not all
fun. frolsc and tips. While he may see all
sides Of life. II he has sense what he sees
IL n warning away Or bsckoning hand
Go easy with the boys" SAID a veteran.
Theyn be usen. good or bad usen, some
dsv. and mebhe you'ii help make EN-
Many are the odd characters on the
force. FAITH" tells ~ once WHY the boy
that answers 10 the sobriquet was No nam.
I'd: so does Bones" and Shorty. ana
Lengthy" and Red" bat when you ccme
20 the Mystery and the Shadow. and
similar titles. there r. generally q story
arising from caii ansveres behind the be-
.touaI u the nickname They are 4 happy
lot. not ovsrworked. and better paid than
boys a the same age in other calssnxa
Not every boy can 10 a messenger boy
IL takes peculiar nfress which the of
hc>rs are quick 20 recognize. and then the
force IN formed By selecting boys one by
ore ont % the scores that offes. but fail
70 a. on trial
WAGNER concArt fnnfwff MnAfnna