Chapter 7: Newsboy
May 2, 2023 | Author: Yue Shang Xintou
"Sir, hello... we heard you were looking for us?"
Inside the Messenger Newspaper, several boys, dressed in clearly ill-fitting clothes and wearing newsboy caps, huddled together, cautiously asking Colin.
Due to prolonged malnutrition, the Newsboys all looked extremely thin, and their complexions were more sallow than those of their peers.
In fact, children suffered the most during the Great Depression.
According to later statistics, the proportion of malnourished children in some states at that time even exceeded 90%. This also led to a significant issue during World War II when children who grew up during the Great Depression were conscripted: nearly 40% of young men were physically unfit for service, commonly exhibiting poor eyesight, heart and circulatory system diseases, deformed arms and legs, and mental disorders.
This included the famous Captain America, Steve Rogers, who was a young man who grew up during the Great Depression.
His emaciated appearance before receiving the Super-Soldier Serum was a true reflection of most adult men during that period.
"That's right."
Putting down the pen in his hand, Colin smiled at the Newsboys in front of him and spoke in a kind tone.
Thanks to the delivery person mentioned by Old John, he finally managed to find the Newsboys.
"May I be so bold as to ask..."
Colin's kind attitude eased the Newsboys' anxious hearts.
The children exchanged glances, and finally, one boy, about twelve or thirteen years old and seemingly the leader, mustered up his courage and spoke to Colin: "Sir, why did you ask us to come here? If it's about the newspaper prices, I'm sorry, I cannot agree, sir, because it concerns the livelihood of all Newsboys. We're barely earning anything from The Messenger Newspaper lately."
Upon mentioning the price, the children gathered around, collectively raising their voices.
For a Newsboy, every cent of a newspaper's price was a matter of utmost importance.
The 1899 Newsboy Strike was triggered by a 10-cent difference per bundle. At that time, Newspaper Tycoons raised the price of each newspaper bundle by 10 cents for their own benefit, cutting the Newsboys' profits and making it almost impossible for them to make a living. For this reason, the Newsboys decided to strike, protesting the expensive newspapers, and ultimately achieved victory.
"No, quite the opposite."
Colin shook his head, looking at the Newsboys gathered before him.
Most of them were not even ten years old, yet they already had to struggle for their livelihood.
"My purpose in inviting you here is not to raise prices, but to give you money."
"Give money?!"
Colin's words, as expected, caused a stir among the Newsboys. They exchanged glances, their young, sallow faces filled with surprise.
Not only were the Newsboys surprised, but even Old John was equally astonished by Colin's words.
Beside him, he opened his mouth to say something, but Colin's gaze stopped him.
"Sir, thank you for your generosity."
Once the commotion quieted down, the leading Newsboy spoke, looking at Colin with his freckled little face. Although his voice carried a hint of excitement, his demeanor was unexpectedly calm as he said, "But, could you tell us the reason? We are just a group of ordinary Newsboys, working hard every day to deliver newspapers just to make a living. If your purpose is to use us for some illegal activities, I am sorry, but although we are poor, every penny we earn is the result of hard work and effort, which allows us to live with peace of mind every day."
The leading Newsboy's words awakened the children who had been immersed in joy, and they all turned their gaze towards Colin.
Feeling the Newsboys' gazes, Colin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
He naturally had no intention of using the Newsboys for any so-called illegal activities, but the leading Newsboy's neither humble nor overbearing attitude left a deep impression on him.
This made Colin unable to help but ask, "What's your name?"
"Jimmy, sir."
Colin nodded, remembering the leading Newsboy's name.
He then continued, "Very well, Jimmy, regarding your concerns, I can assure you that the purpose of my calling you here concerns the newspaper, The Messenger Newspaper. What we are going to discuss next will solely be related to it."
"Phew..."
Colin's words were a reassurance, settling the Newsboys' anxious hearts.
After listening carefully to Colin's words, Newsboy Jimmy spoke, "We are willing to trust you, sir. So, what do we need to do to get the money?"
"It's simple."
Looking at the Newsboys whose eyes were filled with hope, Colin smiled slightly, "I just need you to learn a few lyrics..."
The lyrics Colin spoke were not many; in just a few minutes, the Newsboys present had already memorized them.
Muttering the lyrics repeatedly, Jimmy looked at Colin, his expression for the first time showing a hint of confusion: "Sir, is this truly the only reason you called us? We only need to sing these lyrics to get a 5-cent discount per bundle of newspapers?"
"That's right."
Colin nodded, looking at Newsboy Jimmy's slightly freckled face, and replied with a smile, "Not just the Newsboys who came to the Messenger Newspaper, but you can also go back and tell the other Newsboys this news: as long as they memorize these few lyrics and promise to sing them when selling The Messenger Newspaper, they can all receive the same discount from me when purchasing newspapers."
A 5-cent purchase discount was enough to sway the low-income Newsboys.
It should be noted that the initial trigger for the Newsboy strike was merely 10 cents.
Moreover, under the current Great Depression, all industries were struggling, and Newsboys were no exception.
Therefore, after a slight hesitation, the Newsboys quickly agreed to Colin's request.
"Colin, no, Boss..."
Watching the Newsboys leave joyfully, Old John's face in the Messenger Newspaper couldn't help but show a hint of worry.
He turned to look at Colin and couldn't help but say, "Are you really planning to lower the price of the newspaper? I'm afraid if..."
A 5-cent discount per bundle, though seemingly small, would become a huge burden for the already precarious Messenger Newspaper once it accumulated, potentially even leading to a crisis with a slight misstep.
Concerned about his own job, Old John felt it necessary to say more.
"Perhaps, we could try having Little John run to more places, take some..."
(end of chapter)