Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-04-08
How 10 be a Man.

How 10 be Man.
Not long since boy of some seven
teeL years ofage called upon merchan
doing large business ii New York
Being busily engaged at the time, tn,
boy had to wait little before getting al
opportunity for the interview. Occa
sionally the merchant cast glance a
him as he stood respectfully At sher
distance. He was rather poorly clad
and showed evidence of pretty hare
work but his face indicated honesty anc
common sense, with firm energetic
manliness. under the somewhat rude ex
.erior. A -practiced business man re.
quires but brief examination OF a boy to
decide as TO his worth and weight OF
character.
hen at liberty, the merchant said
Well, my young friend, what can ]
do for your
BE Il called, sir,n lac replied, Ito ask you
for situation as engineer. / was told
YOU. were having new engine built,
and L want you TO give me the place
I'd like to run il for you"
Are you an engineer asked the gen.
tleman.
"No sir, but can, be-" he answered,
setting his lips firmly together. standing
squarelys before the gentleman, and
looking him full in the face / don't un-
derstand the business well, / know
something of it, though. But 1 can be
an engiHeer-and / WILDE. Aud l wish
you'd give me chance"
3 His modest, but determined manner
pleased the merchant He was having
a new engine built for a certain depart
ment of his business, and could, of course,
have as many experienced operators as
he desired. 1t was no object to him to
take an inexperienced boy and attempt
to train him; no object, jexceptsto help
the boy. Such deeds he was noted for;
a fact which no doubt had encouraged
the boy OF make.the application.
2 What are you doing now?" He en-
quired. 7sFy as,asa,z COZ
= Working in a machine shop in
/ have been fireman and
often worked the engine. 1 think L
could get along pretty well new, If any
body will have little patience with
me.n f8Fit ~f 'ssa
"What wages do you get"
Five dollars a week, sir.p
"What do you de with your money ?"
"Give it to mother sir.p 81
"Give it to your mothers humph
what does she dc with it?n Gt
Well you see,there is, sister and me,
and mother takes. in sewing. But it
goes pretty hard you know. pThey don't
give much for sewing,aHd it's hard work,
too. And then, with all the other work
she has to do, you see She cannot get
along very fast at that rate. So 1 help,
M can. If ! could get an engineers
place | could get more wages, and it
would be easier for mOther.n
g"How do you spend evenings?"
81 attend the free school at the Coop
ar Institute, studying 6nechanicsI
replied. al spend all the time / can
get in studying. l know can be apen-
"Do you ever drink liqusr?'
He looked up with an expression of
on the countenance that
such q questie,is should 'Ebea asked
him but answered firmly, "No Sir"
"Do you chew, or smoke, or go to the
theatre ?" ....,.,,-. s,,r,is157r rst.. !
"Never-can't afford it Mother needs
,he money. And if she didn't could |
have Better use for it. I'd have some |
BOOKS, if could only spare the money
% get them.nsy .sisilas nHr lElur1'i wen |
"Do you go to church or Sunday |
School?x ...--...-...r !
He held down his head, pretending to |
,rush the dust of the floor with his foot, /
md replied &c No sir. .,hs ''l,,.t,z -
t@Whya not ?' asked the gentleman
title sharply.
seI havn't any clothes fit to wear, ''he
eplied tsH takes all the money can
ret for us tn ifve, and | can't have any
'lothes." He looked down at his coarse
md well worn suit. 1T didn't use to be
o when father was living, 1 was brought
lp to go TO church and Sunday School (
f CANCEL toebe an n$engineer@we shall I
% again. [ know I can run an en-
Telling him TO esiillat certain time,
Then he expected,his engine would be
eady for use, and.he would talk further
With him, he dis,n issed him. "But he
must have the engine,p said the mer-
hant to a friend, towhom he related the
..He will make man,
hat boy WILL A boy who is determined
0 be something who gives his mother
IL his money ta tighten the burdens,
Tho does not use tobacco, and does not
O to the theatre; who spends his eve
ings i'm studying after working hard all
ay, such d boy will make a man, and
eserves to be helped, L have not told
i'm so, but shall take him and put
inn under one of my engineers, until
e is fully capable of taking charge,
aen LET him have, the engine. He will
ct twenty dollars a week then instead
Five. and be able to tighten q mlther's n
urdens, have clothes to wear to church,
nd money to buy books to aid him in
is business. -,.....,..-.. -, ,.,...
A noble hoy, though amid hard coz
itions and under 6unattractiye garb, y
ill work out, and show hisimanhood.-
-e may not always find friends to ap-
reciate him but determined, yirtuous, {
nd willing to endure, he will in due
me conquer. st3A -' fii-- r.