Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-10
HOW TO BE Il NJ 4 n.

Not long since boy of some seven.
teen years Of age called on merchant
doing large business in New York
Being busily employed at the time, the
boy had to wait u little before getting an
opportunity for an interview. Occasion
ally the merchant east glance at him rs
he stood respectfully at a short distance.
He was rather poorly clad, and showed
evidence of pretty hard work; but his
face indicated honesty and common sense
with n firm and energetic manliness, un-
der the somewhat rude exterior. Besides
the broad forehead and swelling temples
indicated to one having any knowledge
of chronological developments the pos
session of superior powers OF mechanical
discernmcnt and contrivance. A practi-
cal business man requires but brief cxami'
nation OF boy to declare rs to his weight
and worth of character.
When ut liberty, the merchant said:-
"Well. my young friend, what can do
for you?"
al called. SIR" he replied, "to ask you
for situation rs engineer. | was tol
you were having new engine built and |
want you to give ne the place. I'd like
10 run it for you"
"Are YOU an engineer" asked the gen
tleman.
mo, sir; but can be-" he answered
setting his lips firmly together, standing
squarely before the gentleman, and look
ing him full in tho face. 81 don't under
stand the business well; | know some
thing Of it though. But can be an en-
ginecr, and will be, and wish you would
give me chance"
His modest but determined manner
pleased the merchant. He was having a
new engine built for certain department
OF his business, and could of course have
rs many experienced operators rs 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
bov. Such deeds he was noted for; a
fact which no doubt encouraged the boy
to make his application.
"What are you doing now," he inquir
ed.
Working in machine shop, in Brook
lyn. have been fireman. and l often
worked the engine. think | could get
along pretty well witt, one now. if any
body will have little patience with
me-"
"What wages do you get
Give dollars week, SIR"
"What do you do with your money ?"
"Give it to my mother sir"
"Give it to your mother! humph !!
humph humph what does your mother
do with it?
"Well, you see. there is mother, and
sister, and mother takes in sewing. But
it goes pretty hard you knew. They don't
give much for sewing, and it's pretty
hard work, too. And then with the other
work she has to do. you know she can not
get along very fast at that rate SO 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.
81 attend the free school at the Cooper
Institute, studying mechanics" he repli.
ed. "Ispend all the time get studying.
1 know can be an engineer"
"Do you drink liquor'"
He looked with an expression OF as
tonishment ON his countenance, that such
question should be asked, but answer
cd firmly. "No. sir"
"Do you chew. or smoke, or 60 to tho
theatre p"
Never, can't afford it. Mother needs
the money. And if she didn't l could
make better use oft. I'd like to have
some books, if / could only spare tho
money to get them."
"Do you 60 to. suuday-school'"