STANLEY, THE EXPLORER

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9017, 17 March 1908, Page 2

STANLEY, THE EXPLORER

HIS EXPERIENCES WHEN A SMALL BOY.

When the late Henry M. Stauley first arrived at New Orleans as a cabin-boy on a sailing siiip from Liverpool, and before he had made the acquaintance of the Stanley whose name he afterwards was to assume, he was forced to various shifts to earu a living.

Among other positions for which he applied was that of office-boy in one of tne newspaper offices. His bright appearauce impressed the man in charge, who engaged him, aud told him he could begin his duties in iialf-au-hour, it fclleu beii'g pearly six o'clock in thg evening, ami that iiis hours oi: work would last to some time alter midnight.

As the boy started out, the man noticed he was bare-footed.

"Run home aud get your shoes and stockings," said the man. "I haven't got any," answered the boy.

"Can't you get some?" "I don'fc know, sir. I'll ti^ffh "Come back at six with shoes and stockings, and it's all right. It' you don't, we can't take you," answered the man, turning away, while the future explorer went out with a harder problem before him thau finding Livingstone. He sat down on the steps outside, and, after some minutes' thought, went back into the anteroom again aud faced the boy who was iv charge during the day. who had overheard the conversation. "See here," said the applicant. ' have you got another pair of shoes aud stockings?" "No." " Wlien do you go off duty?" "Six o'clock." "Same time as I go on. Now, I'll tell you what I'll do—l'll give you half-a-dollar (2s) for the use of your shoes and stockings each night for a week. I'll leave 'em under the desk for you every morning when I go away, so you can wear 'em during the day.'' "Well," answered the boy slowly, "I'll do it if you'll write me an order ou the cashier."

The order was duly written, the future Sir Henry put on the. shoes aud stockings, and euttffcl upon his first journalistic duties. W