The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-01-16
HOW TO BE A MAN.

HOW TO BE A MAN.
Not long since boy of some sever
enteen wears of age called on mcr-
chant doing large business in New
York Being busily employed at the
time. the bov had to wait little before
J getting an opportunity for the inter-
) view Occasionally the merchant cast
/ "A glance at him as he stood respectfully
= at short distance. He was rather
, poorly clad, and showed evidences of
pretty hard work; but his face indica-
ted honesty and common-sensc, with a
firm and energetic manliness, under the
somewhat rude exterior. A practiced
business man requires but brief exami-
nation of boy to declare as to his
weight and worth of character.
When at liberty, the merchant said ::
"Well, my young friend, what can l do
for vou?"
Il called, SIR" he replied, ito ask
YOU for situation Us engineer. | was
told YOU were having a new engine
built and want YOU to give me the
place I'd like to run it for you"
Are you an engineer ?" asked the
gentleman.
"No, sir; but l can be" he answer
ed, setting his lips firmly together,
! standing squarely before the gentleman,
4 and looking him full in the face.
1 don't understand the business well; |
know something of it, though. But
/ can be an engineer-and | will be-
And wish you'd give me chance"
His modest but determined manner
| pleased the merchant. He was having
a new engine built for certain depart
ment of his business, and could of course
have as many experienced operators as
he desired. 1t was no object for him
to take up an inexperienced boy and at
stempt to train him; no object exeeptto
help the boy. Such deeds he was no
ted for; fact which no doubt had en-
couraged tho boy to make this applica-
ton.
"What are you doing now?" he in
quircd.
Working in a muchine-shop in
Brooklyn. l have been fireman, and
often worked the engine. l 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 week, sir"
"What do you do with your money?''
"Give it to my mother, sir"
"Give it to your mother! humph
what does your mother do with it ?"
"Well, you see, there is mother and
sister and me; and mother takes in
sewing. But it goes pretty hard, you
know. They don't give much for sew
ing, 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 l help all l
can. If could get an engineers place
could get more wages, and it would
make it easier for mother"
Glow do you spend your evenings p
asked the gentleman. "-'s'
Il attend the free school at the Coop
cr Institute, studying mechanics, :" he
replied. Il spend all the time l can
get studying. l know l can be an en-
gineor."
Do yon ever drink liquor?"
He looked up with an expression O
establishment ON his countenance that
such question should be asked, but
answered firmly: No, sir"
"Do you chew, or smoke, or 60 tc
the theatre?''
Never-cant afford it. Mother
needs the money. And if she didn't,
could make better use of it. I'd like
to have some books if | could only spare
the money to get them"
DO you go to church or Sunday
school ~
He held down his head, pretending
to brush the dust off the floor with his
foot, and replied: mo, sir"
"Why not ?" asked the merchant, +;
little sharply. $500. .t.
81 haven't any clothes fit to wear,
he replied 6" 1t takes all the money
can get for us to live and l can't hav,
clothes" He looked down at his coars,
and well-wOrn suit at didn't use tt
be so when father was living. l was
brought up to go to church and to Sun
day-school. If l can get to be engin
Ger, we shall go again. l know l ca4
run an engine"
Telling him to call at certain time
when he expected his eugine would b.
for use, and he would talk further Will
him, he dismissed him. "But he mus
have that engine" said the merchant t.
friend, to whom he related the circun
stance. He will make a man, tina
boy will A boy who is determined t
be something; who gives his mothe
all his money to tighten her burdens
who does not use tobacco, and does nc
60 to the theatres who spends hi
evenings in study after working all day
such a boy will make man, an
deserves to be helped. have not tol
him SO, but shall take him and pu
him under one of my engineers until b
i. is fully capable of taking charge, the
let him have the engine. He will sc
twenty dollars week then instead I
five, and be able to Tighten mother
burdens, have clothes to wear to churcl
and buy books to aid in his business. +"
A noble boy, though hidden ami
hard conditions and under unattractiv
CARDS, will work out and show its maj
hood He may not always find friend
to appreciate him; but determined, vi
tuous, and willing to endure, he will i
due time conquer. -'" '''' 20. .
g. 1fofh.,Ss IounoI