Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-09-08
HOW TO BE A MAN.

NOT long since boy Of some II years
OF age called on q merchant doing a large
business in New York. Being bsisily en-
ployed at the time, the boy had to wait a
little before getting an interview. Occa-
sionally the merchant cast glance at him
as he stood respectfully at short dis
| lance. He was rather poorly clad, and
showed evidences Of pretty hard work
but his face indicated honesty and COM
mon sense, with firm and energetic man.
illness, under the somewhat rude exterior.
| A practical business man requires but
brief examination Of boy to declare as
to his weight and worth of character.
When At liberty, the merchant said:
Wei: my young friend, what can ! do
for your"
~ called sir" he replied, "to ask you
for situation as an engineer. was told
you were having new engine built, and
| want You to give me the place. I'd like
to run II for you"
Are you an engineer" asked the gen.
tleman.
"No, sir, but can be-" he answered,
setting his lips firmly together, standing
squarely before the gentleman and look
ing him full in the face. Il don't under
stand the business very well; l know
something of it, though. But can be an
engineer, and l will be. And I wish you
would give me chance"
His modest but determined manner
pleased the merchant. He was having
new engine built for certain department
OF his business, and could Of course have
as many experienced operators ~ he dc.
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, fact
which no doubt had encouraged the boy
to make his application. :
w hat are you doing nowY he in.
quired.
Working in machine shop in Brook.
lyn. l 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-"
"Whst wages do yon get2" '.'"
Five dollars week, sir"
/" What do you do with your money!"
olive It to my mother, SIR" al.
Give 1t To your motherl humph
humphi what does your mother do with
its" 800 Hu ar
swell, you sec, there are mother, sis.
ter and me and mother takes in sewing.
But it goes pretty hard, you know. They
a9Rdf &t1Yk,, Zoo. And then with the ot6taf
work she has to do, you know she cannot
get along very fast at that rate, 30 j help
her all can. If could get an engineers
place could get more wages, and 1t would
make 1t easier for mother"
SLOW do you spend your eveningss"
asked the gentleman. "a ga
II attend The free schools at the Cooper
Institute, studying mechanics" he re-
piled. ~ spend all the time l can get
studying. know l can be an engineer"
DO you ever drink liqnorS"
He looked up with an expression of as
constituent on his countenance that such
question should be asked, but answered
firmly, mo, sir" ,.....-
ado you chew, or smoke, or go to the
theatrey' 3u llf H
Never-can't afford IL. Mother needs
the money. And If she didn't, could
make better use Of IT, pd like to have
some books if I could only spare the
money TO get them" ..usi.. .rs..e.ll
DO you go to church or Sunday
schools" @H' 1ti'
pr al the dust dust eli III The s-aAS Sor
and replied, No, sir"
"Why not - asked the merchant, 9 lit
tie sharply. -.
al haven't any clothes fit TO wear" he
replied. at taxes all the money can
get for us to live; and can't have any
clothes He looked down at his coarse
and well worn suit. ut didn't use 70 be
so when father was living. 1 was
brought up TO 60 to church and 10 Sun
day school II l can get TO be an engi
neer, shall 60 again. know can run
an engine
Telling him 70 call at a certain time,
| when he expected his engine would DC IN
use, and he would talk further with MIN,
I ne dismissed him. But ne must nave
that engine" said the merchant 10 frie nd
TO whom he related the circumstance.
"He will make Q nan, that boy Will A
boy who IL determined 70 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 boy would make
q man, and deserves 10 be helped. have
not told him 80, bat shall take him and
| put him under one OF my engineers until
he is fully capable Of taking charge, then
| let MIN have the engine. lie Will get ~
dollars q week then, instead of i've, and
be able to tighten mother's burdens
hare clothes 70 wear to church, and buy
books To aid n his business"
a noble boy, though hidden among
| hard conditions and under. unsttrsctive
garbs, wilt work out and show his man
hood. He may not always find frisnds 70
appreciate him, but determined, virfuous
aud willing 70 endure, he will In time
conquer. Aoshr's Journal.
. Fred ~ HI Stilfs.
FRrp 10 : little neighbor Of mine-s
dve.yeays old boy, with pleasant face
| "a = Nttla pIumo. Y0uud hodv 10 round