Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-04-01
54llscetlanu.
How to be a Man.

tunity for an interview Occasiohaii
the merchant cast glance at him as h
stood respectfully at short distance
He was rather poorly clad, and shove
evidence of pretty hard work but hi
face indicated honesty and common sense
with firm and energetic manliness, un
der the omewhatrude 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
discernment and contriyance. A practl'
cal business man requires but brief ex
animation of boy to declare as to mis-
weight and worth of character.
When at liberty, the merchant said:
"Well, my young friend, what can |
do for your"
al called, sir" he replied, "to ask you
for a situation as an engineer. | was
told you were having new engine built,
and l want you to give ME the place.
I'd like to run it for you."
Are you an engineer" asked the
gentleman.
"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. 8" don't I'M
derstand the business we'll; know some
thing of it, though. But can be an en-
gineer, and will be. And l wish you
would give me chance"
His modest but determined manner
pleased the merchant. He was havinga
new engine built for certain depart
ment of his business, and could of course
have as many experienced operators as
he desired. II was no object for him to
take up an inexperienced boy and at
tempt to train him; nc object except to
help the boy. Such deeds he was noted
for fact which no doubt had encour-
aged the boy to make his application
What are you doing now?" he in
quired.
Working in machine -shopin Brook
lyn. l have been fireman, and l often
worked the engine. l think l could get
along pretty well with one now, if any
body will have little patience with me,
What wages do you get2"
Five dollars week, sir"
" What do you dc with your money?
"Give it to mother, sir"
"Give it TO your mother humph
humph humph. what does your moth
er do with it?"
" Well, you see, there is mother, sister,
and me; and mother takes in sewing.
But it goes pretty hard, you know. They
don't give much for sewing. and it's pref
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,
SO help her all can. If l could get
an engineers place could get an engi-
neer's place | could get more wages, and
it would make it easier for mother"
How do you spend your evenings?"
asked the gentleman.
| attend the free school at the Coop.
er Institute, studying mechans," he re-
piled. = spend all the time can get
studying. know | can be an engineer"
DO you drink liquor?"
He looked up with an expression of
astonishment on his countenance that
such a question should be asked, but an
swered, firmly," No, sir.
do you chew, or smoke, or go to the
theatre2"
"Never-can't afford it. Mother needs
the money. And if she didn't. | could
make better use of it. I'd like to have
some books. if ! could only spare the
money to get them
DO you go to church or Sunday
SCHOOL,"
He held down his head, pretending to
brush the dust off the floor with his foot
and replied, No, sir"
"Why not2' asked the merchant n
little sharply.
l haven't aay clothes fit to wear" he
replied. 1T takes all the money / can
get for us to live; and cau't have anv
clothes" He looked down at his coarse
and ~ell-worn suit. at didn'tuse to be
SO when father was living. 1 was brought
up to go to church and to Sunday school
II can get to be an engineer shall 90
again. | know | can run an engine"
Telling him to call at certain time
when he expected his engine would be in
use, and he would talk further with him.
he dismissed him. But he must have
that engine said the merchant to a
friend to whom he related the circpm.
stonce. He will make man. that how
will. A boy who is determined to do
something; who gives his mother all of
his money to to tighten her burdens: who
does not use tobacco, and does not 90 to
the theatres; who spends his evenings in
study after working all day, such a boy
wou'd make man, and deserves to / e
heiDed 4 haze - ,I