The Dolores star., 1923-08-24
The Life of a
Newsboy
By JOHN PALMER
20. 1922. Western Newspaper UnionJ

po!s-HNe, perhaps, and what he
didn't know, in the way of worldly
wisdom, was not knowledge. You
couldn't feaze Henry.
Observe! Spruce business man.
Paper boyp
Henry whips out the paper demand
ed, catches the penny tossed to him,
Hips In the air, and
"Poiperi Poiper, sirr'
Benevolent elderly gentleman, gold
pince-nez, cane.
'Oh, mister, l can't change a nickel
Sir. l haven't sold no poipers yet.
The big boys snatches the customers
away, sir"
"Oh. keep the change, my lad" says
the old gentleman benevolently, and
looks little wistfully at Henry as he
passes on.
"Heyi Poipe de new kid"
The new kid isn't Henry. The new
KID is 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. fellersl Poiper, sir I
Soak 'imI''
The new kid sees the swarming pha-
lanx bearing down on him, and fees
Next moment he is under crowd OF
half dozen infuriated rivals, kicking
and punching him.
That little fellow ought to be IL
school, says the truant school officer
as he catches sight of Henry, who
having sold out his stock, is on hir
way to 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.
stop! You boy therer
The truant officer is short-legged and
puffy. Henry sees an alley blocked by
a paper cart. In an instant he is un-
der the cart, stops to make gesture
at the truant officer, and is out under
the horses hoofs. He darts through
hole in the bottom of fence.
Hey, cheese 1t, fellers, de schools
after us!"
The game is instantly abandoned,
there Is scattering flight. Henry
walks loftlly away toward the busi-
ness section. 1t is midday. In side
street stands fruit vender, his bar.
row piled high with tempting apples,
oranges and bananas. Snitch Hoakum,
Henry's friend, is trailing along be-
hind.
Henry casually pockets three apples,
two bananas and couple of plums.
"Hey! Where's da mon'T'
Henry turns and puts his thumb to
his nose. The Italian darts at him.
Henry fees, but his legs are too short
and he sees no friendly hole in the
fence. Out come the apples one by
one, the orange, the bananas, thrown
to the wolves, as one might say. At
the corner of the block the Italian,
having recovered all his property.
turns and departs, shouting abuse.
Henry meets Snitch around the
corner.
"Whadya get, Snitchy?" he asks.
Snitch produces four apples, two
oranges, a handful Of peanuts and a
whole bunch Of bananas from under
his ragged coat. He has taken them
from the abandoned stand. The pair
divide their treasures and sit down
in doorway.
Afternoon wanes. They are lined
up among crowd, waiting for the
damp Issues as they come from the
press. Henry takes his. He has an
uptown pitch In the afternoon. He
won 1t at craps, but he would have
fought for 1t if necessary.
Jumping on cars and off again
clinging to the tallboards of wagons,
Henry reaches his pitch In no time. A
tall, lean youth has usurped 1t. He
grins defiance at Henry. Henry leaps
at him and kicks him In the shins
grapple.
"You big bully, aren't you ashamed
to hit that little boy?" demands an
elderly lady. Henry instantly bursts
into sobs.
"What did he hit you for, my little
fellowf"
"'Cos l won't give i'm all me money
lady. He's me big brudder, he Is, an
he never done no honest work in his
life"
"You ought to be ashamed Of your
self. Wouldn't you like a nice hot
cup Of milk, my little man. and some
thing to eat?"
Gee, lady, I'd like a plate of buck
wheats."
They enter the restaurant. Henry
piles in. Twelve cakes disappear In
the place where they are meant
to go.
"You poor little fellow, haven't you
got any homer asks the old lady as
they leave.
Henry rubs his eyes with his
knuckles. "Yes'nl, but me foither's ou,