The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1922-11-23
The Life of a
Newsboy
By JOHN PALMER


lie was the littlest Of all the new:
Doys-five, perhaps, and what h
didn't know, in the way of world
wisdom, was not knowledge. 70
couldn't feaze Henry.
Observed Spruce business mar
Paper boy!"
Henry whips out the paper demand
ed, catches the penny tossed to him
Tips in the air, and
"Poiperl Poiper, sirY"
Benevolent elderly gentleman, golt
pince-nez. cane.
"Oh, mister, 1 can't change a nickel
sir. | haven't sold no poipers yet
The big boys snatches the customer.
away, sir"
"Oh, keep the change, my lad" says
the old gentleman ~benevolently, and
looks a little wistfully at Henry as he
passes on.
Hey Poipe de new kidd"
The new kid isn't Henry. The new
kid is a lanky fellow of eight or nine,
who has invaded the precincts sacred
to Henry and those of his friends who
have won their pitch by fists and sheer
diablerie.
Soak i'm, fellers! Poiper, sir
Soak 'iml"
The new kid sees the swarming pha-
lanx bearing down on him, and fees.
Next moment he Is under a crowd of
half q do1op ipfur;oto1 rivoIe L;oItor
and punching him.
THAT little fellow ought to be in
school," says the truant school officer,
as he catches sight of Henry, who,
having sold out his stock, is on his
way to a rendezvous where much of
the mornings earnings is about to
change hands at craps.
That little fellow has seen the tru-
ant officer before the truant officer has
spotted him. He is away like the
wind.
"Stopl You boy there!"
The truant officer is short-legged and
puffy. Henry sees an alley blocked by
a paper cart. In an instant he is I'M
der the cart. stops to make a gesture
at the truant officer, and is out under
the horses hoofs. He darts through
a hole in the bottom of a fence.
"Hey, cheese it, %fellers, de schools
after usl"
The game is instantly abandoned,
is a scattering flight. Henry
walks loftily away toward the busi-
ness section. 1t is midday. In a side
street stands a fruit vender, his bar
piled high with tempting apples,
and bananas. Snitch Hoakum,
denry's friend, is trailing along be-
aind.
Henry casually pockets three apples,
.wo bananas and a couple Of plums.
"Heyl Where's da mon'?"
Henry turns and puts his thumb to
is nose. The Italian darts at him.
Henry fees, but his legs are too short
nd he sees no friendly hole in the
Out come the apples one by
ne, the orange, the bananas, thrown
0 the wolves, as one might say. At
he corner Of the block the Italian,
aving recovered all his property,
lrns and departs, shouting abuse.
Henry meets Snitch around the
"Whadya get, Snitchy2" he asks.
Snitch produces four apples, two
a handful of peanuts and a
hole bunch of bananas from under
ragged coat. He has taken them
ON the abandoned stand. The pair
their treasures and sit down
a doorway.
Afternoon wanes. They are lined
, among a crowd, waiting for the
mp issues as they come from the
'ess. Henry takes his. He has an
)town pitch in the afternoon. He
on 1t at craps, but he would have
ught for it if necessary.
Jumping IN cars and off again,
to the tailboards Of wagons, |
enry reaches his pitch in no time. A
II, lean youth has usurped 1t. He
ms defiance at Henry. Henry leaps
him and kicks him in the shins. |
a moment they are In a deadly
apple.
you big bully, aren't you ashamed
hit that little boy" demands an
ierly lady. Henry instantly bursts
% sObs. T
What did he hit you for, my little
Zoos l won't give i'm all me money, !
ly. He's me big brudder, he Is, an
never done no honest work in his 4
Z
ought to be ashamed of your |
t. Wouldn't you like a nice hot J
Of milk, my little man, and some !
ng to eatY ]
Gee, lady, I'd like a plate of buck :
They enter the restaurant. Henry :
IS In. Twelve cakes disappear in
place where they are meant
go.
You poor little fellow, haven't you
any homer" asks the old lady as
y leave.