A hard-won comment in the “newspaper” post (hard-won because it’s been like Blue Heck trying to comment here or anywhere else, lately. Most days I cannot even answer the nice people who chime in with memories and other nice things to say) spoke of my friend Mike’s own experience as a Paper-Boy.
I’ll let him tell it in his own words (in italics):
GRIT !!! I used to read about this tremendous money maker in the backs of comic books as a kid, along with the seed pack business and joke magic cards for sale. I used to ask my parents if I could start selling GRIT and they'd always dismiss me. ("why NOT??? It says earn money for college! Don't you want me to go to college?" answer: "It's not a real paper, Mike, it's just junk to take your money.") Today is the first day in my life I have heard of a soul that has actually laid eyes on a hard copy of that paper.
There was a hefty commission, and prizes for the enterprising:
Once I came of suitable age (12 or 13) I started delivering the "real" paper on my bike. The now-defunct Richmond News-Leader. The RNL was one fo two survivors of a newspaper Darwin-fest in the 40's, when there were two mornings, the Times and the Dispatch, and two afternoons, the News and the Daily Leader. The local news-baron Bryan
At over 160 customers, I had the largest afternoon route in
At over 160 customers, I had the largest afternoon route in
Yes, AHHHH, Youth. The enterprising, get-up-early, hit the doorstep every time youth. And so are titans born.
Paper routes and pickles. There's a blast from the past. I bet kids now would be shocked at the idea of fishing a pickle out of a jar and handing it over in a paper cone.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile. Everybody needs a tasty pickle from one of the jars at the country store.
ReplyDeleteYep, that man can WRITE! Between him, JessieBear, Miss Maggie and YOU, my dear, it's a wonder that I have the nerve to put pen to paper (metaphorically speaking, of course).
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