American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-07
YOUR MASTER AND MY EMPLOYER
OR, SERVING OUT MY TINE.

YOUR MASTER AND MY EMPLOYER;
OR, SERVING OUT MY TIME.
WRITTEN By ROSWELL ALLYN FOR NEW YORK SUM-
(Concluded.)
Arthur had served out his time Mr. Will
liams called him into his Office, and asked him
to sit down.
You are twenty-on to-day, Arthur, l be-
lieve % was the question put to him.
"Yes, sir, this is the day."
"And you have served out your time ?" said
Mr.. Williams. .r @
~ have, sir; and am glad have done so.
Sometimes have been tempted to feel discon-
tented and uneasy by what has been said to me,
and with the idea that could do better Be-
sides that, thought it would be long time to
work before could be a journeyman."
"Well, what do you think now. You may
speak as plain as you choose. l will take no
offence"
"Why," said Arthur, 81 think-no, / am
certain-that have done the best thing could
have DONE"
"Why do you think so ?" inquired the master.
swell, sir, one thing is, | have had q steady
place to work in. / have sometimes felt sorry
to see young men and old men come into the
shop and look for work, and go away sadly, as
though they were disappointed. have often
thought perhaps little work and q little pay
might give great deal of happiness to some
sorrowful family who were in want because the
father had no work" Il
Mr. Williams listened attentively, and his eye
showed his feeling as he heard his apprentice so
truly describe his own thoughts, and he said
g 1t is very true, Arthur; have heard many
n sorrowful tale from such men, and l am glad
to know you have the heart to feel for another" I"
'.Well, then, there was Bill Henderson p
"Bill Henderson! Who was he ?"
"Why, don't you remember boy you so
often asked to go, with me to Bible Class, and
to church, and to spend his evenings at home
who went away five years ago"
.'0h, yes! | remember him. I'm afraid he
didn't gain any thing by it."
Il think he would say so, himself' replied
Arthur. Il saw him about six months ago,
but he had poor story to tell and he looked
as though he did not keep the best of company
After he went away from you used to see him,
and / always felt more inclined than ever to
stay out my full time"
"Well, have you any other reason ?" inquired
Mr.. Williams
eyes, sir; have had good place, and
have had good adviser in you, and know |
shall always remember you wherever 60 But
there was one thing which | shall never forget,
or the effect it had upon me. If you please
will tell it,"
$50 on, Arthur"
"Well, SIR when was about sixteen, and
some strange notions had got into my head,
was at one time discontented, and had even an
idea of going off to be my own master. |
thought | could get more wages, and l wanted
to make all | could; and, besides, it seemed to
me to be such long time to work more than
five years longer before was out of my time.
Well, one Wednesday evening | went to church
to hear the weekly lecture; and, as it was early,
| sat down and began thinking about the mat
ter. i had read, short time before, some
facts in regard to the condition of working-men
in Europe, England and Ireland and they
came into my mind / began to think of the
wages l was getting, and how much | would
earn if was at my liberty. | thought of the
long time had to serve, and the whole thing
was fully before my mind. After | had got
through with it | said TO myself, That is very
well so far; and | guess I'll leave Mr.. Will
liams But before do it I'll look at the other
side; there are always two sides to n aues-
ton So, began by comparing my condition
with that of millions of workng-men in Europe,
and said to myself, Il am only a boy, getting
$3.50 n week. / live pretty well, and can
dress as neatly as any working boy need dress,
if he is wise to his own interests
There are hundreds of thousands and millions
as ] do, and they have families to support
They eat meat as a luxury only three or four
times year, on holidays, and have it once or
twice every day. They have no books, or very
few, and no newspapers, while / have all | can
use, and take paper of my own. Surely
have a happy lot compared with theirs; and to
tell you the truth, SIR said Arthur, 81 could
not help thanking g cd with tear that had SO
many blessings, and asked that he would forgive
my rebellious desires
"Then again, | said to myself, But see how
long T" and thought would see how that argu-
ment would hold. | asked myself, q Is there
something that happened FIVE years ago that
you can remember? In a moment my life
from a child rushed over my memory, and
cried out, How short 1t seems 1t is only like
yesterday! | made up my mind on the spot
that the time would 90 fast enough; when IL was
past would look back at that evening only as
yesterday; and that would regret that | had
not lived better. | resolved to put away my
discomfort and to live as knew should wish
had lived, please God to spare me till to-day.
And here l am, sir, and it's all true, just as
have told you. You know how | have lived, but
| wish had lived hundred times better"
Mr.. Williams looked at Arthur in silence.
His admiration for his apprentice was not
greater than his surprise at the working Of his
mind, or than his respect for his virtues and
his modesty.
Arthur" at last he said, when his pent-up
emotions allowed him to speak "I sincerely
congratulate you on this occasion, and l am