One of the most remarkable jobs that I know is that of a little man who runs down High Street, Belfast, in order to earn a livelihood.
After every scamper down the road, which is one of the busiest in the city, he drives back in a taxi-cab. I understand that he is employed by taxi-drivers, who pay him a shilling apiece every week. The wage is not so absurd as it seems; for I hear that he has more than fifty employers.
Only two taxi-cabs are allowed to remain at a time at the High Street corner of Lombard Street, and only one may stand at Castle Junction.
When one of these cabs is hired the little man - not even his employers know his name, for he is a deaf mute - runs as fast as his legs can carry him to the Albert Memorial, where there is a larger taxi-cab stand, whence he brings up the next car in order of waiting.
One of the drivers tells me that it is a wonder that the little man has not been killed long ago; for he always takes to the road. Nevertheless, he not only reaches his goal unharmed, but actually helps other people to avoid the traffic.
The Irish Times, May 30th,1931