The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-10-25


me that my apartment was needed Tor the us
Of lodger who would do what had nc
elected to do-pay for its use 1t was plair
that something or somebody must bo done
but how to do either was past my ingenuity
Suddenly it flashed on my mind that wa
fool. It was fortunate discovery.
"Ycs!" said to myself. 81 am fool
or rather, as-for o fool will be ne
longer"
As said this came very near trembling
over pork.barrel, and made remark con
cerning distractions in the street which wa
more forciblo than chaste. heard low
laugh, and looked up. There stood stout
wcll-dressed man in tho door Of the store
house before me. glanced at the sigr
over the door, which bore the word "Gro
ccries." My mind was made up. l stepped
in, and walked toward the counting-r>om
The stout man followed and accostcd me.
..What can we do for you?" he asked.
81 don't know" said I. "That is pre-.
cisely what want to find out"
The stout man stared at me. went on
~ am six feet, lacking half.inch, in my
stockings, and, as you see, broad-shoulder'
cd" l said. 81 have been brought up a
gentleman, and have not cent. have had
nothing to eat since yesterday at noon. No!
you need not do that" added, as | saw
him make movement to his vest pocket.
I" Begging is out Of my line. l want work,
II you have any,"
"wcll." he replied. 81 expect q vacancy
in my second clerks place shortly, butt
81 know nothing about bookkeeping"
interrupted.
"My porter goes away to-day -he il
about to set up retail store; but as you
are gentleman -
"l'll take that" said; Z" IL you'll take
me without any recommendation but my
MUSCLE"
He laughed. "You are about the oldest
customer" said he, "that l have come
across recently; but think I'll try you, II
you're not above making yourself useful, and
can content yourself with nine dollars a
week."
"Nine dollars week J" exclaimed. at
is gold miner What am to go at first p
"Thc FIRST thing is to get your breakfast,
and the next to rig yourself out in pair Of
ovcralls and blue frock. The breakfast
you can get at Fulton Market; the other
things at the slop-shop around the corner.
When you come back there are thirty bags
Of coffee to be delivered to an order, and tho
carmen will be here in an hour. Ill advance
you three dollars ON your weeks wages
IIerc!" . ... ... .. ..
Every good" said I, taking the money ;
'I'll be back in halt an hour. Your new
porter's name is Lovatt."
or I went. ! had royal brcakfist-beef'
steaks, coffee, Observation-Disclosures say moth.
ing OF pickle; aud having dispatched them,
turned to and had them over again. AZ.
ter that bought my blue shirt and ovcraIls,
put them on. and went back to the store.
house with my coat on my arm. looking a,
the proprietor's name ON tho door-post rs
entered.
"llere I am, Mr.. Banks" said; and
Mr.. Banks sent me to the hcad-clerk, who
told mo what to do at the moment, and did
it.
I found cheap boarding-house at a
convenient distance from the store, and
worried my way along faithfully and maniul.
ly. grew to like the work. ate hearth.
ly, and slept soundly. Only once felt a
trcmor. was ono day rolling some barrels
from car into the store-housc, when saw
former fashionable acquaintance picking
his way along the sidewalk. What had
brought him to that quarter | did not know
but | REDEEMED when | saw him. He did
not see me, however; and would not proba.
bly, have recognized me il ho had.
My employer paid no further attention tc
me after the first day. One day, however
about three months after first took the
place, the chief clerk called to me;
"Lovatt," he said, "coms here. notice
that you calculate very we'll, and write O
good hand. Mr.. Greene that was the name
Of our new second clerk j is sick abcd to-day
Couldn't you help me with this lot Of in
voices?"
"I'll try, If you show mo what you
want" .-...... -..I
He explained, and went ut the task.
have already sa'd that was apt at figures
and l gotthrough quito npidly; and leaving
the result on the desk, went back to my
bags and barrels. Presently Mr. Banks
came in and went into the counting-room
HO had been there only about quarter O
an hour when he called mo to him.
"Sit down. he said, when entered.-
"Mr, Lpscombc tells me that you gave hin
material aid to-day. As Greene is too sicl
to come here at present, suppose you tax,
his place in the counting.rcom till he 70
covers"
VERY good" replied; and, removin,
my overalls, j perched myself at the desk.
The result was that poor Greene never re
covered, and retained his situation.
was only twelve dollars week. but il was
step.
Thrs' weeks afterward another pair Of in
cidents occurred. I was at the desk, arrans
ing papers and copying into the ipvoice-book
when Mr.. Banks came In.
..V ..