Frank, the Telegraph Boy.
Frank was employed in one of the up-town offices of the company. For the information of such of my young readers as live in the country it may be explained that large numbers of houses and offices in the city are connected with the offices of the District Telegraph by machines, through which, at any time in the day or night, a messenger may be summoned for any purpose. It is only necessary to raise a knob in the box provided, and a bell is rung in the office of the company. Of course there is more or less transient business besides that of the regular subscribers.
Boys, on arriving at the office, seat themselves, and are called upon in order. A boy just returned from an errand hangs up his hat, and takes his place at the foot of the line. He will not be called upon again till all who are ahead of him have been despatched in one direction or another.
Frank was curious to know what would be his first duty, and waited eagerly for his turn to come.
At length it came.
"Go to No. — Madison avenue," said the superintendent.
A few minutes later Frank was ascending the steps of a handsome brown-stone residence.