HAD served as messenger about a year, when Colo-
nel 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 peri-
ods 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 as-
signed 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 re-
sented 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. Every penny that
I could save I knew was needed at home. My parents
were wise and nothing was withheld from me. I knew
every week the receipts of each of the three who were
working -- my father, my mother, and myself. I also
knew all the expenditures. We consulted upon the addi-
tions that could be made to our scanty stock of furniture
and clothing and every new small article obtained was
a source of joy. There never was a family more united.

Day by day, as mother could spare a silver half-
dollar, it was carefully placed in a stocking and hid un-
til two hundred were gathered, when I obtained a draft

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