Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-07-29
for the aIsnug fulks.



Not long since a boy of some seven
teen years of age called on a merchan
doing large business in New York
Being busily employed at the time, tn
boy had to wait little before gettin
an opportunity for an interview. Occs
sionally the merchant cast q glance q
him as he stood respectfully at shor
distance. He was rather poorly clad
and showed evidences of pretty har
work; but his face indicated honest
and common sense, with q firm and en-
| ergetic manliness, under the somewhs
rude exterior. A practical business ma
| requires but brief examination of bo
to declare as to his weight and worth Q
! character.
When at liberty, the merchant said:
Well, my young friend, what can
do for yeu?'
II called, sir" he replied, "to ask yol
for situation as an engineer. / wa
told you were having new engin
| built, and 1 want you to give me tn
! place, I'd like to run it for YOU"
Are you an engineer" as the gentle
man.
mo, sir; but 1 can be-" he answered
setting his lips firmly together, standin,
squarely before the gentleman, anG
looking him full in the face. "I dom
understand the business well; 1 know
something Of it, though. But / can b,
an engineer and will be. And 1 wisi
you would give me chance"
His modest but determined manne
pleased the merchant. He was havinl
q new engine built for certain depart
ment of his business and could of cours,
have as many experienced operators a
he desired. 1t was no object for him Il
take ny an inexperienced boy and at
tempt to train him; no object except Il
help the boy. Such deeds he was noteC
for; fact which no doubt had eneour
aged the boy to make the application.
what are you doing nOw?" he in
9uired. @
"Working in a machine-shop, in
Brooklyn. l have been fireman, and
often worked the engine. 1 think ]
! could get along pretty well with one
now, if anybody will have little pa
tience with me-"
What wages do you get?"
Five dollars q week, SIR"
"What do you do with your money!
"Giye it to my mother, sir" m.
"Give it to your mother! hump!
hump what does your mother do with
it?"
'Well, you see, there is mother, sister
and me; and mother takes in sewing
But iG goes pretty hard yeu know. They
don't give much for sewing, and it's
pretty hard work, too. And then with
the other work she has to do, you know
she cannot get along very fast at that
rate, so help her all can. I'll could
get an engineers place could get more
wages, and it would make it easier for
mother"
"How do you spend your evenings?''
asked the gentleman.
81 attend the free schools at the Coop
er Institute, studying meohAfiics," he
replied. II spend all the time I can
get studying. know 1 can be an engi-
neer."
"Do you ever drink liquor?n
He looked up with an expression OF
establishment on his countenance that
such question should be asked, but
answered firmly;
mo, SIR"
"Do you chew, or smoke. or go.to the
theatre?'
"Never-can't afford it. Mother needs
the money. And if she didn't / could
make better use of it. I'd like to have
some books ifI could spare the money
to get them"
"Do you go to church or Sunday
school?h
He held down his head, pretending to
brush the dust of the floor with his
foot, and replied, mo, sir"
"Why not?" asked the merchant, q
little sharply.
replied. ut takes all the money / can
srcf for IN uo. nd T hnu
clothes.n He looked down at his coarse
and well worn suit. at didn't use 10 be
SO when father was living. was brought
up to 90 to church and sunday school.
Ill can get to be an engineer L shall go
again. | know L can run an engine
Telling him to call at certain time,
when he expected his engine would be
in use, and he would talk further with
him, he dismissed him. "But, he must
have that engine" said the merchant to
a friend to whom he related the cireum
stance. He will make a man, that boy
will. A boy who is determined to do
something; who gives his mother all of
his Nancy to tighten her burdens; who
does not use tobacco, and does not go to
the theatres; who spends his evenings
in study after working all day, such a
boy would make man, and deserves to
be helped. have not told him so, but
shall take him and put him under one
OF my engineers until he is fully capable
of taking charge, then let him have the
engine. He will get twenty dollars a
week then instead of five, and be able
to tighten a mothers burdens, have
clothes to wear to church, and buy books
to aid in his business"
A noble boy, though hidden among
4 lsA.
garbs, will work out and show his man.
tuous, and willing to endure. he will in
due time conquer.-Mother's Journal.