National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-10-21
THE MERCHANTS APPRENTICE.

Mi Bruamm Goodwin took hi, eldest
.ol to the great city, for lac had obtain
3D. al, he thought, an excellent place for
Ills boy 1t WAS a situation III the store
To-. Mr Andrew Phelps Mr. Phelps was
ou. of the heaviest merchants IN the
city dealer IN cloths OF all kinds.
descriptions, qualities and quantities.
II, had no partner. he was one of those
exact, nervous men, who want no second
say IN the way 1t was near noon when
Mr. GOODWIN entered the merchants
counting room, leading his boy 10y the
hand
i have brought my son. Mr. Phelps,
us We had arranged, and | am sure vou
VIII ind INN puuctual and faithful.
'Ah Master Gilbert ahem-yes
nhe his looks. Hope he Will prove all
NaJ wish.
A- tine merchant thus spoke in a mat
t'r of tact sort Of way. he smiled kindly
uPou the boy, and then turning to the
parent he resumed, -
Have you found boarding place for
tim YETI
Yes, sir, he will board with his uncle,
my Wiies brother
=" Ala, that Is fortunate, This great
1ty j, bad place for boys without
friends
OF course, sir, added Mr.. Good
"ul--'' And yet | hope you will overlook
his affairs a little
Certainly, what can. But of course
}ou are aware that | shall see little OF
INN when he Is ont of the store
Mr.. Goodwin said, "of course. and
there was Il silence of some moments,
he parent gazed down upon the floor a
IttIe while, and finally he said
There has been nothing said vet,
Mr. Phelps, about the pay.
Pay ? repeated the merchant.
"s SIR what pay are you willing 10
allow my son for his services ?"
All, ~ said Mr. Phelps, with u bland
smile " | see you are unacquaintcd with
our customs. -'' We never pay anything
tine first year
" No pay = uttered Mr.. Goodwin,
somewhat surprised But | am to pay
hilbert $ board myself and | thought ot
course you would allow him something
iof pockct-money.'
W i'''Ni ldN diN lllluE 'llN bi0
year II you were going to send YOU
son to an academy or college, You woul1
Hot expect the teachers to pay him fol
his studying"
" No, sir
just SO it is here we look upon on
apprentice here as mercantile scholar
anu lor the first year he can bc of littl
IeaI benefit to us, though all the while h
S feaping valuable knowledge to him
seH Why, there are at this momen
MY Youngsters whose wealthy parent
would bo glad to get them into the bertl
You nave secured for your boy.
hen you pay nothing 2 said tn
parent, rather sadly.
=, Not the first year, That is our rule
We will teach him all we can, and Mt til
Ihd OF that time we shall retain him,
lie Is faithful and worthy, and pay hii
1omothiug."
Never mind, my son, the pareu
N'd, when he and his child were alone
lol have clothes enough to nst yo
through the year, and You can get alon
Without much more. Here is one dolla
III Is all that ! have over and aboy
' hltiSt use 10 bcl lOlllt tllHl WI
Keep you III spending money for som
thr' But mind and be honest, my boy
Nome homo to me when you plcast
come IN rags and filth, if it may be, bu
come with your truth and honor safe an
untanished."
lhe boy wiped tear from his eye {
ne gave the promise, and the father fe
"sSu,ed' 1t was arranged that Gilbej
should have two vacations during tn
So'f OF II week each one in the spring
alld The other ut Thanksgiving, and the
the parent left.
= on the following morning Gilbe
poouWln entered the store to common,
ms duties. He gazcd around upon Il
MWnuerhess OF cloth, and wondered whcl
tle people were who should buy all thi
pu' he was disturbed in his reverie by
ePruce young clerk, who showed hi
mnpre the wntering-pot and broom wer
una informed him That his first duty
Nv morning was to sprinkle and swe,
we moor So at il the boy went. a.,
When this WIS done he WIS set at wo,
carrying bundles of cloth up stairs. vine
" man was piling them away.
hhd NO Gilbert's mercantile scbola