He found a job as office boy at the Chicago Telegram and started work there in 1884 , just before his 17th birthday .
Dunne had taken the college - track curriculum at West Division , but his poor grades scuttled any such plans .
Dunne found a job as office boy at the Chicago Telegram and started work there in 1884 , just before Dunne 's 17th birthday .
Dunne had taken the college - track curriculum at West Division , but his poor grades scuttled any such plans .