The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-05-28
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he owed, and six dollars oyery week,
besides earning, by odd jobs and
light porterage, from twoto three dol
lars. His wife rarely leta week go
without3producing her ono OF two dol
lars by neecdle.work. Little com.
forts gradually creps in notwithstand.
Ing all their debts were not yet paid
off. This was inevitable.
BY the end Of twelve months Cor.
don found himself clear of debt, and
in q good sitaation in store at five
hundred dollars o year.
$50 much for Cline, Faith, Ener.
gy,' he said to himself, as ho walked
backwards and forwards, in his com.
fortable little home, one evening,
thinking Of the incidents of the year,
and theresults that had followed. i
woulanot have believed it. Scarce.
ly a twelycmonth has passed, and
here am I, q sober man and out Of
dcbt.s'ssafs
Though still very far from the ad.
vanced position in the world you held
q few years ago, and to which you
can never more attain,' said a dcs-
ponding voice within him. "a man
nevershas but one chance for attain
ing case and competence in this life.
If hesneglects that, he need not waste
his time in any useless struggles
thine, Faith, Energy!' spoke out
another voice. 'Ifono year has done
SO much for you, what will not five,
ten, or twenty years do? Rcdouble
yourtenergies, have confidence in tho
future, and time will make all right
IeWill have faith in time. l will
have energy.' responded the man iu
Gordon, speaking aloud.
From that time Gordon and lis
wife lived with even strictcr economy
than ever, in order to lay by a little
money with which he could, at some
future time, rc.commence his own
business, which was profitable. There
was still only a single shop in town,
andtha. was the one owned by his
old employer, who had, in fact, built
himself up on his downfall, when he
took to drinking, and ncglecting his
business. On less han aathousand
dollars Gordon did not think of com.
mencing business. Less than that
he knew would make the effort a
doubtful one. This amount he cx.
pected to save in about five years.
sIwo years of this time had elapsed.
andaGordon had four hundred dollars
invested and bearing interest. He
stiiIheld his situation at FIVE hundred
dollars per annum. The only shop
yet established in the town for doing
the work for which he was qualified
both as journeyman and master work.
man, Masthat owned and still carried
onby his old employer, who had, Of
late, fallen into habits Of dissipation
and neglected his business.
One evening, while Gordon was
reading at homo in his comfortable
little sitting-room, with his wife be.
side him, engaged with her needle,
and both feeling very contcnted,
there was a rap at tho door. On
opening it Gordon recognized Mr..
Evenly, and politely invited him to
come in. After being seated, his old
employer who showed too plainly the
debasing effects Of frequent intoxica-
ton, said
Gordon, what arc you doing now?'
The reformed man stated the Na
turc of his occupation.
'What salary do you receive ?
asked Evenly.
Five hundred dollars a year.
sDo you like your present en-
ploymeut?'
Yes, very we'll. It is lighter than
my old business, and much cleaner
Would you be willing to come to
work for me again 2 further inquired
Evenly.
Il don't know that I would. My
present situation is permanent, my
employer q very pleasant man, and
my work easy
'Those things are very desirable,
certainly. But I'll tell you what l
want, and what 1 will give you. Per.
haps we can make a bargain. There
issno man in town who understands
our business better than you do
That | am free to admit. Hereto
foreI have been my own manager;
but / am satisfied that it will be for
my own interest to have competent
foreman in my establishment. If l
cansfind one to suit nc l will give
him liberal wages. You will do ex.
actly; andaif you will take charge of
my shop, | will make your wages
iifteen dollars q week. What do you
say to tliat?'
4 rather think replied Gordon,
shat will accept your offer. Five
dollars o week advance in wages for