The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-10
TELEGRAPH MESSENGER
BOYS OPPORTUNITY


oss GSusu c%STueu Al OosAsCs
When the telegraph messenger,
a1uIrYn9 In answer to a city CALL
round tho mistress Of the mansion
mAsooned and trembling on top OF
tae dtntnE-room table. he valiantiy
vneA6ed her Assailant In single COM
nat ana straightway slew him. carry
mn on the mouse trumphantly by its
tsil He collected his fee from the
erateful princess and returned to the
telegraph once, convinced that there
vas no life to be compared with that
OF ths messenger boy When, late In
the day, he pushed his wheel Ave miles
through mud. rain and dark to de-
aver death message in the suburbs
OF the city. he was not SO sure about
the desirability Of his job.
These are but two incidents in the
varied life of telegraph messenger
lie which calls into play whatever
STOCK he has OF tact. quickness. per-
severance, courtesy. honesty. pluck,
indeed all the qualities the ownership
OF which spells Success for any boy
/ or man.
Is this life of the telegraph mes
senger a desira BILE one? Is II a school
IN which he is to be made or to be
inarred? These are important ques-
.tons for many parents, for there are
thousands of lads thus employed and
the messenger school is turning out
hundreds of graduates every year.
There has been some prejudice in
sAe past against this form of employ
rnent, due to misrepresentation as to
the character and conditions of their
work. On the other hand. in the past
lew years the newspapers have found
worth printing the multiplying in
stances-sometimes amusing, some
| hnles grave-where these boys have
oeea called upon to perform Curiously
unique services and other services Of
trust and RESPONSE billty. in all of which
they have rendered a good account OF
themselves. The fact is that all walks
OF business life. and particularly in
the telegraph companies the ranks
are full of men, even In position of the
highest RESPONSE bility, who began their
careers as messenger boys. Distin-
9uished and well known examples are
Andrew Carnegie and Thomas A.
Edison.
The telegraph companies point to
the opportunity which this employ
ment offers TO the boys-opportunity
10 show the stuff they are made of and
opportunity to secure by merit better
employment, for they constantly come
Yin contact with employers on the look
y
companies are often asked to supply
messengers to Ali temporarily the
places OF unSkilled empoyes away on
vacations. and to perform services on
special occasions. In their daily duties
the boys are brought into personal
contact with business and professio nal
men. and when these men have
permanent positions to fill they fire.
quently pick messengers who have
come under their observation or ask
the telegraph manager to recommend
bright boys. Indeed. the telegraph
companies complain that II IS i'm
possible 70 keep for any lengtS of
time their best boys. for these are
quickly taken from them
Thus there is no doubt bout the
opportunity Now what about the
kraining? The telegraph companies are
|employing boys and young men 10 do
work that the community must have
done. Only active. strong youths are
|ft for the service. Can 1t fail to be
|good for such boys TO be thus en-
gaged-earnlng an honest living. ex-
|ercising their ouoyant brains and
muscles in the active world OF affairs
and gaining practical education such
las few occupations open to them.
what are they learning? They are
learning that honesty. industry. cour-
Iage. energy and resourCefulness are
necessary qualities for success. they
| are learning independence and the
Happiness that comes from steady en-
)pioyment. from self-support. They
Isoon realize what qualities they must
cultivate 10 win out in the race. IL
lis an interesting and exciting occupa-
|tion If boy must work for living
lat an early age, where can he find a
better or more rugged school In which
Ito test and build his character The
day is full and active. He
Lis largely in the open air, getting the
physical exercise. the variety OF scene
land the variety of occupation that ap-
|peals to the youthful Imagination and
|is SO necessary fer his best develop
|ment
The companies who employ these
boys have their welfare very much
|at heart, They do not knowingly suffer
|any boy to be exposed to bad influences
Through his employment Suitable and
|eAnitary quarters and baths are fur
|nished for them: club rooms and
libraries; educational classes Of the
Young Mems Christian Associations
Throughout the country: personal in
|struction by the managers-in all
kinds OF ways are the companies striv-
|ing to improve the standard. moral
|aervice, for 1t is a highly important
branch. II is the connecting link be-
tween each company and the public:
|ths boys by their conduct make friends
|or enemies for their employers. and
the latter. II actuated by no other than
b purely selfish motive. are bound to
train these boys to serve the public
and honestly.
Our schools and colleges are striv-
ing by organized athletics to All up the
idle hours Of their students lives with
3 kind OF training which will develop
he fearless resourceful man. The mos
6enger boy gets this training as a part
Of hts days work.
The public will learn, II the sub
1ect Is intelligently investigated that
the messenger boy Is not only a very
useful person. but one who Is entitled
10 the respect and confidence OF those
who employ him. His Is an exacting
lob; it does not wait on fair weather
ana II requires accuracy. ouicknese
and tact, besides the common virtues
81 honesty and industry. 1t is a mat
ter for congratulation that such a
large proportion of the boys meet
these requirements. and that they do
meet them is the reas that so many
81 them climb to high places in all
walks Of business life.