Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-09
How 10 be a Nan.

Not long Since, boy of some seventeen
years of age, called on "a merchant doing a
large bu-ine.. ia New York. Being busily
employed at the time, the boy had to wait lit
tie before getting an opportunity for the inter-
view Occasionally the merchant cast
glance at him, as he stood respectfully at
short distance. lie was rather poorly clad,
and showed evidence of pretty hard work
but his face indicated honesty and common
sense. with firm and energetic manlncs-
under the somewhat rude exterior. 4 prac-
tised business man require but brief EXAMINE
at,on of a boy to declare u- 10 his weight and
worth of character.
When at liberty the merchant said
Well my Young friend what can do for
you 27
" called, sir, be replied, to ask you
for situation as engineer. ! was told YOU
were having new engine built and want
you to give me the place. ia ike to run it
Tor you"
Are you ana cngnecr3' asked the gonte-
man.
No, sir, but . eau be, lac answered set
ting his lips firmly together standing square
/ ~ before the gentleman, and looking him full
in the face. Is | don't understand the business
we" / Ano" so'l''i''ns '' i| .iYIsN' ~,
VS. 81 r9I, 6e IA ,5 SlegsI' ,a ai'l d,,te ''
His earnc,; but determined manner pleas-
ed the merchant lie was having new en-
eine built for certain department of his
I bu.iue... and could of course have AS many
experienced operators as be desired. IL was
NO object for him 10 take up an uexperienc-
ed how and sttempt 10 train him. mo- object
excepi to helm the bow. Such deeds he was
noted for. a fact which no doubt had en-
lcoursaed the bow TO make his application.
What are you doing now p" he inouired
Working In machine shop in Brook
Ilvn. | have been fireman. and often worked
the engine. think ! could get along pretty
well with one now, If anybody win have d
little patience With me"
What wages do you get ?"
d. Five dollars a week. sir.n
3. What do YOU DO with YOUR money ?"
Sc Give it to my mother. sir"
Give it to your mother Humph What
does your mother do with it 2'
;. Wcll. YOU see, there is mother and sister
and me. and mother takes sewing. But il
goes pretty hard, you know. They dom
give much for sewing, and it's pretty hare
work too. And then, with ali The othei
work she has to do, you know she cannot get
along very fast at that rate. So help all
can. If | could get an engineers place
could yet more wages, and it would make II
easier for mother"
% How do Won spend your evenings ?" ask
ed the gentleman.
81 attend the free school at the Cooper
Institute, studying mechanics" he replied
=" spend all the time ! ci~eet studying,
know | can be an engineer"
&" Do YOU ever drink liquor ?"
He looked up with an expression of aston
. ishment ON his countenance, that such ques
+ tion should be asked. but answered firmly
" No sir
1, Do YOU chew, or smoke or 90 to tn
theater3''
Neyer-cant afford it. Mother need
T the money And if She didn't, | could max
better use Of it. I'd like to have som
hooks. if | could only spare the money to
ltbcm
" Do Won 90 to church or Sunday school ?
He held down his head, pretending t
a brush the dust oft the floor with his foot an
L renlied. +" No. sir"
:" WHY not ~ asked fhe gentleman, III
he sbarnlv.
AZ haven't any clothes ft to wear he re
plied. q" Il takes all the money | can g
ior MS 10 i've and can't have any clothes.
q He looked down at mis- coarse and well wor
II snit 6 1t didn't use to be so when fathe
d was liyin. | was brought up to 60 to churc