The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-09-01
HOW TO BE A MAN.

NOT long since q boy of some II years
of age called ON a merchant doug a large
business in New York. Being bHsily en-
ploycd at the time, the boy had to wait a
little before getting an interview. Occa-
sionally the merchant cast a glance at him
as he stood respectfully at q short dis
ance. He was rather poorly clad, and
showed evidences of pretty hard work
but his face indicated honesty and com
mon sense, with a firm and energetic man.
illness, under the somewhat rude exterior.
A practical business man requires but
brief examination Of a boy to declare as
to his weight and worth of character.
When at liberty, the merchant said:
well, my young friend, what can / do
for your"
81 called sir" he replied, "to ass you
Tor a situation IS an engineer. l was told
you we've having 8 new engine built, and
[ want you to give me the place. I'd like
to run it for you"
care you an engineers" asked the gen.
tleman.
"No, sir, but 1 can be-" he answered,
setting his lips firmly together, standing
squarely before the gentleman and look
ing him full in the face. 81 don't under
stand the business very we'll; L know
something of it, though. But | can be an
engineer, and I will be. And l wish you
would give me a chance"
His modest but determined manner
pleased the merchant. He was having a
new engine built for Z certain department
of his business, and could Of course have
as many experienced operators as he de-
sired. 1t was no object for him to take up
an inexperienced boy and attempt TO
train him; no object except to help the
boy. such deeds he was noted for, a fact
which no doubt had encouraged the boy
to make his application.
What are you doing o ?" he in
quired.
working in q machine shop in Brook
Ign. l have been fireman, and / often
worked the engine | think | could get
along pretty well with one nov, if any
body will have a little patience with
me-"
"What wages doyou get?",
Five dollars week. sir"
What do you do with your moneys"
"Give it to my mother, sir"
"Give it to your mother? humphl
humph! what does Your mother do with
it?"
"Well, you see, there are mother, SIS
ter and me and mother takes in sewing.
But it goes pretty hard, you know. They
don't give much for sewing, and it's pretty
hard work, too. And her with the other
work she has to do, you know she cannot
get along very fast a. that rate, SO I help
her all | can. If | 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.
II attend the free schools al the Cooper
Institute, studying mechanics" he re-
piled. a spend al the time l can get
studying. l know | can be an engineer"
"Do you ever drink %liquor?"
He locke up with an expression of as
constituent on his countenanCe that such
a 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, l could
make a better use of it. I'd like to have
some books if l could only spare the
money to get them"
"Do you go to church or Sunday
schools"
lie held down his head, pretending to
brush the dust off the floor with his foot,
and replied, "No, sir"
"Why not ?" asked the merchant, a lit
tie sharply.
az haven't any clothes tit TO wear" he
replied. at taxes ali the money | can
set for us TO live; and L can't have any
clothes" He looked down at his coarse
and well worn suit. at didn't use To be
so when father was living. I was
brought up TO go to church and to Sun
day school. If / can get to be an engi-
neer, | shall go again. know l can run
an engine"
Telling him to call at a certain tine,
when he expected his engine would be in
use, and he would talk further with him,
he dismissed him. but he must have
thai engine" said the merchant 10 a friend
to whom he related the circumstance.
He will make q nan, that boy will. A
| boy who is determined To do something;
who gives his mother all his money 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
a man, and deserves to be helped. L 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. lie will get 20
dollars a week then, instead of five, and
be able to tighten a mothers burdens,
have clothes 90 wear to church, and buy
books TO aid in his business"
A noble boy, though hidden among
hard conditions and under unattractive
CARDS, will work out and show his man
hood. He may not always find friends to
appreciate him, but determined, v%ir,uous,
AID willing TO endure, he viii In time
| conouer.-Kother's Journot.