Part 1 (1/2)
A District Messenger Boy and a Necktie Party
by James Otis
CHAPTER I
UNWILLING PassENGERS
”What is your name, boy?”
”Joe Curtis, sir”
”And your number? ”
” Two hundred and ninety-seven”
” Very well, now listen to what I say, and see that you do exactly as I tell you I a to Providence by the Sound steao to the office of the boat, get the key of the staterooed and paid for, and put these satchels in it”
”Yes, sir”
”Then wait near the gangway of the steamer until I come, for I shall probably be late, as I have to take a sick friend with me Be sure to have the room ready, so that I can have hie to his berth”
” I ait for you, sir”
” What are the rates?”
”For an hour and a half, ninety cents, sir, and car fare extra if you want et there in a hurry”
” Very well, here is a dollar, and see that you do exactly as I have told you”
Joe touched his cap, took the two valises that the gentleering under the heavy weight, started for the nearest elevated railroad station Joe was scarcely large enough to carry the valises; but, when he succeeded in getting a situation in the er service, he knew that he would have plenty of hard work to do, and was fully prepared for it
Besides, this acting the part of porter was by no ned to him in the past six weeks, and he went about it as philosophically as if he had been a man, instead of a boy only twelve years old
Arrived at the dock, he had no trouble in getting the stateroo for the baggage, it was only necessary to wait near the gang-plank until his employer should appear
It was by no entleman; in the bustle and confusion everywhere around hi how hard he had struggled to get the baggage down there, he thought he had been particularly fortunate in being assigned to the work
The moments went by so fast that, when the last bell sounded, and Joe heard the cry of ”All ashore that's going,” he could hardly believe it possible that he had been on the boat entleot to coood,” Joe said to hi-plank with the key in his hand, ready to deliver it without delay
But although carriage after carriage was driven up just in tiet on the boat, Joe's ean to understand that, unless he made some decided move at once, he would be carried away