Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-04-28
How to be aauan.

MOI long since BOY OF some seventeen
years of age called on merchant doing q
large business in New York. Being bus.
lily employed at the time, the boy had to
wait little before getting an opportunity
for an interview. Occasionally the mer-
chant cast glance at him as he stood re-
spectfully at short distance. He was
rather poorly clad, and showed evidence
of pretty hard work but his face indicat-
ed honesty and common sense, with firm
and energetic manliness, under the some
o what rnde exterior. Besides, the broad
forehead and swelling temples indicated
to one having any knowledge of phreno-
logical developments the possession of SUI
perior powers of mechanical discernment
and continuance. 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 L do
for you"
81 called, sir" he replied, "to ask you
for a situation as an 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 ?" answered the
gentleman.
mo, sir; but l can be-" he answered,
setting his lips firmly together, standing
squarely before the gentleman, and look
ing him firmly in the face. II don't I'M
derstand the business we'll know some
thing of IL though. But | can be an en-
gineer, and l 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 "a 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 now ?" he en-
quired.
working in machine shop in Brook
Ign. / have been fireman, and | often
worked the engine. | think / could get
along pretty well with one now, if any
body will have little patience with me-"
"What wages do you get p
Give dollars n week, cir"
"What do you do with you money ~
"Give it 10 my mother, sir"
"Give it TO your mother humph
humph humph what does your mother
do with it?'
"Well, you see, there il mother sister.
and and mother takes in sewing. But
it goes pretty hard, you know. They
don't give much for sewing, and it's prot
ty hard work, too, And then with the
other work she has to do, you know she
cannot get along very fast at that rate SC
l holp her all l can. If | could get an
engineers place l could get more wages
and it would make it easier for mother
Chow do you spend your evenings ?"
asked the gentleman.
81 attend the free school at the Cooper
Institute, studying mechanics" he replied
II spend all the time / can get studying
know / can be an engineer"
"Do you drink liquor ?"
He looked up with an expression of as
constituent on his countenance, that such
aquestion should be asked, but answered
firmly, "No, sir" ..
"Do you chew, or smoke, or go to the
theatre Z"
"Never-can't afford it. Mother needs
the money. And if she didn't, could
some books, if l could only spare the
money to get them"
ado you 90 to Sunday school ?"
He held down his head, pretending tc
brush the dust off the floor with his foot
and replied, mo, sir"
"Why not ?" asked the merchant, lit.
tie sharply.
81 haven't any clothes fit to wear" ht
Il -
get for us to live aud l can't have any
clothes" He looked down at his coarse
and well-worn suit. ut didn't use to b,
so when father was living. / was brought
up to go to church and TO Sunday school
Ii can get to be an engineer l shall u
again. know can run an engine"
Telling him to call at certain time
when he expected his engine would be il
use, and he would talk further with him
he dismissed him. "But he must hav
that engine" said the merchant to friend
to whom he related the circumstances
he will make man, that boy will
boy who is determined TO do something
who gives his mother all of his money t.
Tighten her burdens, who does not use to
bacco, and does not go to the theater, VIII,
spends bis evenings in study after work
ing all day,-such boy deserves to be ,
man. and should be helped. / have no
told him so, but l shall take him, put hin
under one of my engineers until he i
fully capable of taking charge, then lie
him have the engine. He will get twent,
dollars week then instead of five, and b
able to tighten mothers burdens, hav
clothes to wear to church, and buy book
to aid his business
A noble boy, though hidden anon
hard conditions and under unattractiv
garbs, will work out and show his mar
hood. He May not always find friends I
appreciate him; but determined, Writ
Gus, and willing to endure, he will, in du
time, conquer.