Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-28

- HEN Nat Davis left Sam Taylor at ths
W shanty he had single thought II
W. his MINI to find work In Jersey
City.
His strength was not so great as it had
been in the rollicking, rambling days of idle
ness at Newton, but he felt sanguine OF being
able to handle most anything that came along
and was very anxious to surprise Sam by max
ing a success of his undertaking.
For two hours after reaching the busy
streets of the city, Nat went from store to
store and from factory to factory, inquiring
for work.
He had fixed himself up as neatly as pos
sible, and his open, smiling face won him
many a pleasant welcome, but no work. Not
even the promise of it greeted him, and at
noon he sat down on doorstep and munched
a cracker, in thoughtful and somewhat
gloomy mood.
1t began to occur to him that boy with
out references or experience stood very poor
chance of securing desirable employment.
Drudges there were plenty.
Gradually, he renewed his efforts later,
Mats attention became conferred on the tree
lances of industry -representatiyes OF that
vast army Of workers who, as peddlers or can
vassers make their living by going from door
to door.
Nat had followed one OF these, curiously
watching the mans method of business to
some profit.
The man took the alley or rear entrance
to houses, and seemed to deal entirely with
the servants. He would knock at the kitchen
door, politely lift his hat to the servant, and
asked if she had any empty bottles to sell.
If so, he would make memorandum of the
house, request her to have the bottles ready
in half an hour, and say that his partner
would be along with the wagon and give her
a choice from some cheap jewelry, tinware
or ribbons in exchange for the bottles:
= on'f RI Of hat
kind" reflected Nat, as he watched the man.
~ nose two men must make living out of
it, or they wouldn't follow the business"
Bottles? Yes, I've got bottles, heaps OF
voice rang out ON Mats hearing, as the man
he had been watching approached a kitchen
door.
I'VE give a fair price for useless bottles,
madam" remarked the suave peddler
that does" responded the vinegarish domes.
tic, Its shame, the trouble you fellows
make"
"You seem to have grievance" insinuated
the polite peddler.
comes along and tells me to get my bottles
ready. | does it. In little while, bang
bang, goes a knock at the front door, and uT
the front steps I'd just cleaned comes the
over the piazza, and said, as glib as you please
would l excuse him, but he couldn't find the
number of the house from the rear, anG
missus she just told me it wasn't my place
to sell bottles. but to tend to my kitchen
duties So"
Slant went the door, and the man. Injured
to like experience, went off laughing, ant
Nat stood stock still and tried to estimat,
the possible value and utility of an idea tha
the overheard conversation had suggested t.
his mind.
81 believe-I've-struck-
Nat spoke the words refcctively, and, will
slow steps, he walked along the alley to tn,
next street.
He had an idea, and he glanced sharply a
every shed and fence as he passed.
He looked up and down the street, walked
on, and paused at the door of paint shop
For moment he fingered irresolute.
"It's risk, but l can't miss it. If there
figures" he decided at last; and he opene,
the door and entered the shop.
A little white paint, little black paint, il
separate cans, and two brushes-old one
would do, he told the shopkeeper-and h
smiled with pleasure as the man, after glanc
at his neat collar, clean. boots and brigh
face, brought out the required articles, and il
response to Mats inquiry as to the charge
replied, carelessly:
"Oh, nothing-glad to get rid of the oil
truck"
''Thank you-thank you, sir" cried Nat
spontaneously.
Out on the street, he watched closely tn
curb, until, in an ash box he found a smooth
clean piece of board; and this, with the can
and brushes, be carried to vacant lot, ga
down and began operations.
He trimmed the board to round-corne