Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1870 — The Broker’s Errand Boy. [ARTICLE]

The Broker’s Errand Boy.

It is doubtful whether In any part of the world as “ smart’* a boy can be found as the stock or gold broker’s errand boy in New York. Quick in hjs movements, prompt in carrying ont, and strictly adhering to the letter of the orders with which he Is intrusted, at the same time comprehending their import, he forms an important and indispensable part of a brokers office. A mistake or act of carelessness on bis part is, not nnireqnently, of serious consequence to his employer. What is first required of him is, that ho be thoroughly acquainted with the “ street,” which means that he must know where to find any of the hundreds of brokers’ offices to which he may be sent He mast also be familiar with the offices of “ outside customers,” in more distant parts of the city. It is in the delivery of notices to the latter that celerity is particularly needed, the broker being anxious that his customers shall, with the least loss of time, obtain information of the purchase or sale made for their account, And that the notified price shall correspond with the published quotations for the same hour or quarter of an hour of the day. A person finding himself suddenly jostled or pushed aside, while walking in Wall street or in any of the adjoining streets, may at once take it for granted that the offender is one of these messengers, hurrying upon his errand; and he may see the legs of the youthfril scamp in flying motion, half a block ahead. If occasionally two boys of this class are met dallying on the sidewalk and playing off practical jokes upon one another, one may feel sure that both are on the return from their errands, enjoying a boyish solace of not more than a few moments’ duration, for fear of consequences when getting back to their respective employers. All the business transacted among the brokers at the different boards has, subsequently, to be “ compared ’’ at their offices. This “ comparing ” requires the utmost attention and accuracy. Book in hand, the office boy rushes into the broker’s office and calls out: ‘ So and so” has bought of or sold to you so many shares of stock, naming the description, or so much gold, at such a price——regular—buyer three, or cash, as the case may be. When other “ comparing” bovs are before him, he has to wait his turn, at which he gets impatient, and beguiles the time with whistling or with bantering his comrades. The moment he gets his answer from the clerk: “ All right,” or “No report," or “There is a discrepancy,” he makes a note in his book, and flies off to “compare” with other brokers. Besides these duties, the most trustworthy of the boys haVe to make bank deposits, deliver stock, and collect checks, all of which require alertness, judgment and caution. The age of the brokers’ errand boy varies from thirteen years to seventeen; beyond that age he has outgrown his occupation, and is generally promoted to a clerkship in the office where he has served, or he looks for a similar situation filsowbcfCi Most of the boys are well behaved and polite, some are pert and rude, and even under this imprepriety of conduct, a good trait of character lies hidden, viz., zeal for the interest of the employer. Time and better sense cure tbeisnlt, while Urn good quality is likely to remain.— York Post.