Jobs
Beginning at the age of 7, if Bob wanted spending money, he had to earn it. He and his brother Leonard sold papers on O Street in downtown Lincoln. He and Leonard would get out of Park School and run like crazy to the newspaper office on 9th and Que Streets. It was a first-come, first-served basis to get a batch of papers to sell. In those days, a paper boy would stand on a corner or walk up and down the street and holler, "Lincoln Journal Paper, get your Lincoln Journal Paper here." His earnings for the day usually amounted to about 55 cents which he took home to his mom. She would give him a nickel spending money.
The most exciting times selling papers were at the end of World War II. On VE Day (Victory in Europe) and VJ Day (Victory in Japan) Bob was uptown selling papers surrounded by people celebrating in the streets.
Bob's mom did give the boys 15 cents a week allowance to go to a show on Saturday. The show cost 9 cents and he could buy a penny jawbreaker to suck on during the show and have 5 cents for an ice cream cone to eat on the walk home.
During high school, Bob didn't participate in sports activities. He did hold down an after school job. There was a cafe not far from Lincoln High called the Chat and Chew. He would go there after school to do the cleanup work.
The Beanery
Bob had another job working all night on Friday nights at The Beanery. This was a cafe located on railroad property right across from the old Round House. The parents of his friend Larry Miller owned the cafe. What Bob remembers as being the best part about this job was he and Larry could eat all they wanted.
Working at the Beanery led to his job on the Railroad which he held for 44 years. The boss who did the hiring came into the Beanery and got to know Bob. He told him to come and see him when he graduated from high school if he wanted to work on the railroad.
