A District Messenger Boy and a Necktie Party

District Messenger Boy and a
Necktie Party, A

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Necktie Party
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Title: A District Messenger Boy and a Necktie Party
Author: James Otis
Release Date: June, 2004 [EBook #5882] [Yes, we are more than one

year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on September 15,
2002]
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A DISTRICT MESSENGER BOY AND A NECKTIE PARTY
BY
JAMES OTIS

AUTHOR OF "TOBY TYLER," "TEDDY AND CARROTS,"
"JENNY WREN'S BOARDING-HOUSE," "THE BOY CAPTAIN,"
"LITTLE JOE," ETC., ETC.
CONTENTS.

A DISTRICT MESSENGER BOY.
I. UNWILLING PASSENGERS II. HOME AGAIN
DAN HARDY'S CRIPPY
A NECKTIE PARTY. I. SI'S SCHEME II. AGGIE'S SCHEME III.
TOM'S SCHEME
A DISTRICT MESSENGER BOY.

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 am going to Providence by the Sound steamer that sails in an
hour and a half; take these tickets, go to the office of the boat, get the
key of the stateroom I have engaged 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 him carried directly from the
carriage to his berth."
" I will wait for you, sir."
" What are the rates?"
"For an hour and a half, ninety cents, sir, and car fare extra if you want
me to get 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 gentleman pointed out
to him in one corner of the office, and, staggering 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 messenger 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 means so difficult a job as some
that had been assigned 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 stateroom key,
since he had the proper tickets, and, after caring for the baggage, it was
only necessary to wait near the gang-plank until his employer should
appear.
It was by no means hard work for Joe to wait for the gentleman; in the
bustle and confusion everywhere around him he found plenty to occupy
his mind, and, forgetting 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 more than an hour, waiting for the
gentleman and his sick friend.
" He's got to come pretty soon, or else his stateroom won't do him much
good," Joe said to himself as he stood close by the gang-plank with the
key in his hand, ready to deliver it without delay.
But although carriage after carriage was