Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Linkboy \Link"boy`\ (-boi`), Linkman \Link"man\ (-m[a^]n), n.
   [See 1st {Link}.]
   A boy or man that carried a link or torch to light
   passengers.

Source : WordNet®

linkboy
     n : (formerly) an attendant hired to carry a torch for
         pedestrians in dark streets [syn: {linkman}]