It was arranged that the next morning I should go to the office of a
daily paper--buy a bundle of copies; and try to dispose of them at a
profit.
Early the next morning, Stormy started off to his work on the ship, and
I to a newspaper office.
I reached the place too early to get out the papers; but found several
boys waiting like myself. I joined their company, listened to them, and
was much interested in their conversation, without very clearly
comprehending what they were talking about.
I could distinctly hear every word they said; but the meaning of the
words I knew not, for the most of them were slang phrases--such as I had
never heard before.
I could see that they were very fast boys--much faster than I was--
although the "Rolling Stone" had not been for several years rolling
through the streets of Dublin, without learning some city sharpness.
I entered into conversation with two of the boys, in order to find out
something of the business of news-vending; and could see from their
manner that they regarded me, as they would have said, "not all thar."
They pretended to give me such information as I required; but I
afterwards learnt that they had not told me one word of truth.
When the papers were published, I went in with the others, put down a
half dollar, and received in exchange the correct number of copies. I
hurried out, walked some distance from the office, and commenced
offering my wares for sale.
On turning down a wide street, I met three gentlemen, each of whom took
a copy out of my hands and gave me a picayune in return.
I was doing business for myself--buying and selling; and in my soul
arose a feeling of independence and pride that has never been so
thoroughly awakened since.
I passed along the street, till I came to a large hotel, where I saw two
other gentlemen under the verandah.
I went up to them, offered my goods as before, and each took a
newspaper. As one of them offered me payment for his copy, I had hardly
the strength to hand him the paper and take his money. I nearly dropped
to the pavement. The man was Captain Brannon, of the ship "Hope," to
whom I had been apprenticed!
I moved away from him as fast as my trembling limbs would carry me; and
the glance which I could not help throwing over my shoulder, told me
that I had not been recognised.
This was the man, who had promised to treat me as he would his own son;
and yet during a long voyage had taken so little notice of me, that I
could thus transact business with him, without being recognised!
By twelve o'clock my work for the day was finished; and I returned to
the lodging-house with a dollar in picayune pieces--having made a
hundred per cent on my capital.