The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1923-06-21
The Life of a
Newsboy
By JOHN PALMER
&c, 1922, Western Newspaper Union.)

he WAS the lllLIcSl OIL I'LL tuc new
boys-tive, perhaps, and what h
didn't know, in the way Of world
wisdom, was not knowledge. 70
couldn't feaze Henry.
Observe! Spruce business mar
'Paper boyl'
Henry whips out the paper demand
ed, catches the penny tossed to him
fips in the air, and
"Poiperl Poiper, sir?"
Benevolent elderly gentleman, golt
pince-nez, cane.
"Oh, mister, I,can't change a nickel
sir. L 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, ant
looks a little wistfully at Henry as he
passes ID.
"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, fellersl 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 a dozen Infatuated rivals, kicking
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.
stop! You boy therel"
The truant officer is short-legged and
puffy. Henry sees an alley blocked by
d 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, f~ellers, de schools
after usl"
The game Is instantly abandoned,
there is a scattering flight. Henry
1nft{7r, or,ou {or,nrI fho hx1c{
ness section. 1t is midday. In a side
street stands a fruit vender, his bar
ROY piled high with tempting apples,
and bananas. Snitch Hoakum,
Henry's friend, is trailing along be-
hind.
Henry casually pockets three apples,
,wo bananas and a couple of plums.
Hey! Where's da mon'?"
Henry turns and puts his thumb to
IFS nose The Italian darts at him.
Henry fees, but his legs are too short
md he sees no friendly hole in the
ence. Out come the apples one by
me, the orange, the bananas, thrown
o the wolves, as one might say. At
he corner of the block the italian,
Iaving recovered all his property,
urns and departs, shouting abuse.
Henry meets Snitch around the
orner.
"Whadya get, Snitchy?" he asks.
Snitch produces four apples, two
ranges, q handful Of peanuts and a
bunch Of bananas from under
is ragged coat. He has taken them
the abandoned stand The pair
wide their treasures and sit down
l a doorway.
Afternoon wanes. They are lined
p among a crowd, waiting for the
amp issues as they come from the
Henry takes his. He has an
ptown pitch in the afternoon. He
on it at craps, but he would have
,ught for it if necessary.
Jumping on cars and off again,
inging to the tailboards Of wagons,
enry reaches his pitch in no time. A
II, lean youth has usurped it. He
.ins defiance at Henry. Henry leaps
him and kicks him In the shins.
a moment they are in a deadly
"You big bully, aren't you ashamed
hit that little boy?" demands an
derby lady. Henry instantly bursts !
to sObs. =!
"What did he hit you for, my little /
!
"'Cos I won't give i'm all me money, !
1y. He's me big brudder, he Is, an !
never done no honest work In his :
e." !
"You ought to be ashamed Of your {
If. Wouldn't you like a nice hot (
D of milk, my little man, and some 8
ing to eatY" {
Gee, lady, I'd like a plate Of buck. s
e
they enter the restaurant. Henry {
es in. Twelve cakes disappear In s
) place where they are meant q
go. 5
You poor little fellow, haven't you 8
any homer" asks the old lady as s
leave. 3
Henry rubs his eyes with his s