MR. MICHAEL DAVITT AS A PRINTER'S BOY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6063, 23 April 1881, Page 7

MR. MICHAEL DAVITT AS A PRINTER'S BOY.

i TilEiollowing was published in the Burnley Free Press, March 14, ISG3, headed "A Persevering Printer's Devil :"—" About IS months ago I took into my employ a poor Irish lad of tbe.name of.Michael Davitt, who had lost his right arm in the mill. My wish was to furnish him with the means of getting his living as a letter-carrier, since which time he has dono odd jobs in the office as well as being errand lad. Yesterday (1-eb-ruary 2) being fair day liere, my printer was not at work, and a posting bill having been ordered this boy commenced the task hiinsf.lf with his lcffhaiul, and in three hours ami a-half ho fully completed a very neat bill, an impression of which I have given to Martin, your traveller, who has seen the boy, and who observed that he had only a left arm to work with" , ; the other having been taken oil above the elbow. The boy put the! chase and furniture round the type, and drove in the quoins, and when I entered the office lie was alongside the imposing stone with the. form'standing on its edge'concocting a plan to get it on the press, which was in an adjoining room. - Not a letter dropped ofit, and 'eveii the bills were worked off and the form lifted, and only a single letter remained _on the press. Some apprentices woultl : feol grateful if they, could with Uvo hands cper r