Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-06-06
VOL. 3.----NO. 80.

Philippe, IN hls days OF early exile, than
as commonplace, though equally in
,eresting Ito a right thinking mind) young
gentleman in yellow stockings. 1t is a
fact, however, as indisputable as that
Uncle John is now worth thirty or forty
thousand pounds.
Emerging from the charity school, and
exchanging the leather shorts and yell
low stockings for corduroys and gray
worsted socks, Uncle John obtained the
appointment of ofIice-boy to a Temple
attorney. His duties were muliiferious
sweeping The Office and serving wrts.
cleaning boots, and copying declarations.
His emoluments were not large--seven
shilings week and '.iind himself"
which was less difficult, poor boy, than
to find anything for himself. But I'm
Gle John persevered aud was not dis
heartened. Helwed literally on crust,
and regaled himself only with the savo-
ry smells issuing from the cooks shop,
which was not only an economical luxu.
.ry, but had the advantage of aaording a
stimulus TO the Imagination. He actual
ly saved two shilings week odt of his
salary, not TO mention an occasional do
nation Of shilling on high days and
holidays from his master.
Uncle John was never idle. When
he had nothing TO do for hiss master,
which was rarely the case, he used TO
take pen and any loose piece of paper
or parchment, aad copy, or initiate. the
lawyers engrossing hand-known as
court hand-tiil he became good pen
man in This cramped style OF wiring
Having accomplished this object, Uncle
John determined to shelter himself'
getting a situation as copying clerk instead
of office-boy. lie succeeded in his at
lemr:s, and was installed in another az
iorney's Office as engrossing clerk at
twelve shilIings week--a salary which
appeared to HIM at the time enormous.
But riches did not turn his head. The
only increase which he made in his pre-
vious expenditure, was in wearing ra.
ther acleaner shirt, and disra rarding cor
duroys for some more gen.eel material.
Uncle John was too wise and too .seIl-de-
nying 10 be seduced inside the cook 5
shop yet.
lie was now saving at least six shil-
lings week, which is els a year! For
four years no change took place I'M his
condition. He still lived in his solitary
garfei; worked hard all day, and borrow
ed law books from the arlicled clerks in
the Office, which he read at home al
night. AT home! poor fellow--what a
name for his miserable lille room up in
the tiles of a house in the narrow court
OF Fleet Street! But Uncle John was a
brave fellow, and worked on without
stopping 10 sentamenialize.
A promotion now took place in the
Office, and Uncle John was made chief
common-law clerk, at one pound week.
He had rendered himself quite compe-
lenl for the duties by his midnight stud
les. lie was never absent from his post,
never forgot anything, and was neverill;
for he had the strength of horse. II is
suspected that about this lime Uncle
John paid one or two visits to the cook s
shop; but it must not be supposed that
the visits were more than one or two.--
As rule, Uncle John dined on a piece
of the cheapest meat he could purchase,
boiled by himself in his garret.
lie was wise enough, however, 10 be
very neat in his dress, and thereby gain
ed the credit Of being a very respectable
young man in the eyes of his employer;
for it is very remarkable fact that clerks
are always expected TO dress like gen
tlemen, when their salaries are not even
large enough to buy them food.
Another four years passed away, when,
one day, Uncle john, having duly screw
ed up his courage, walked into his mas
ter's private room, and, after a little pre-
liminary hesitation, ven,ured to hipl
that he wonld like to be articled!
The master stared--the clerk remain
ed silently awaiting his answer.
"Are you aware inquired the form
er, "that the expense Of ihsAiamp, &C.,
is one hundred and twenty Pounds!
Uncle John toas aware OF il, and he
was prepared with the money. He had
saved il out of his miserable salary.
The master stared still more. Blu,
after short time, he consented to arii-
Gle Uncle John, and to continue his sala,
ry during the term of his articles. I'm
Gle John was in ecstacies, and SO far for.
got his usual prudence tina, evening, as
to indulge IN half-a-pint Of bad port wine
"a taste. by the way, which he has re-
tanned to this day.
He was now happy man. Every
},hing was Sin train" now TO make him,
one day, gentleman by Act of Par
liament''- Attorneys are facetiously
termed. Itwould certainly require some.
thing more than even the omnipotence
of an Act of Parliament to confer the
character on some of the fraternity.
Daring the first year of his articles
the managing clerk died, and Uncle
John was promoted to that Office, with
a salary of two hundred a year. Here
was, indeed, rise in life-from sever
shillings week to two hundred year
Happy Uncle John! But you deserved
ii all; for you had plenty Of the courage
which is prepared for all ills, and en-
dures those which it cannot cOnuuer.