CHAPTER V.
THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE I had served as messenger about a year, when Colonel John P.Glass, the manager of the downstairs office, who came in contact with the public, began selecting me occasionally to watch the office for a few minutes during his absence.

As Mr.Glass was a highly popular man, and had political aspirations, these periods of absence became longer and more frequent, so that I soon became an adept in his branch of the work.

I received messages from the public and saw that those that came from the operating-room were properly assigned to the boys for prompt delivery.
This was a trying position for a boy to fill, and at that time I was not popular with the other boys, who resented my exemption from part of my legitimate work.

I was also taxed with being penurious in my habits--mean, as the boys had it.

I did not spend my extra dimes, but they knew not the reason.