American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-06-14
VOL. XIII.

his desire to outrival his friend Tn
wears had not accumulated much, although
there was balance in his favor in thu
hands of his employer. So, sitting upoI
the counter one stormy day, when bu
| few customers called he became absorbed
| in a column of figures that he had pencilet
| upon some wrapping paper. So inten
was he, that he did not notice tn,
entrance of his employer, who stood
with his back to the stove, closely watch
| ing Harry; but he soon advanced to Harry
saying:-'Thomas, how long have you
been in my employ?"
| About five years. sir" was the quie
| answer, as he looked up from his calcula
| tions.
Five years is about as long as I would
| like to keep one clerk
"Sirs" queried Harry, while shadow
passed over his face as though dread
communication had been given him.
II said five years was long enough for
one person to clerk in this house." coldly
answered Binning, the merchant.
"Then you do not wish my services
longer, 1 understand you to say?" queried
Harry, with a tremor in his voice.
"No, did not exactly say that. l wish
to know if you have saved more of your
wages than are now in my hands,"
II have just been casting up to see how
I stand, sir. l had vague idea, not yet
fully formed, that-perhaps-I might do
something with my small capital that
might increase it somewhat-and more.
l have an engagement with friend to
meet him in a few months now, to see
which is the better business for a man TO
follow-to show the difference between
the Accommodations of a merchants sales
man and farm laborer-and L wish to
outbalance him." replied Harry, with a
smile.
''Well, Thomas, l too have been fgur-
ing, and 1 see have paid you a trif1e
over twenty-three hundred dollars since
you came here"
Yes, sir; and out of that have saved
about nine hundred" s4
That is fairly done; still cannot help
thinking it might have been more" re
piled Binning.
"Just what I am trying to get at, and
cannot vet see how can do much better
than 1 have. you can show me in what
way can save greater average than l
have already done, l shall feel greatly
thankful for the information"
Il do not know but you have done well
enough upon your wages; but l have
thought that you might SO invest it as to
bring in a little-I mean, make your money
earn something for ITSELF" was the mer-
chants answer.
place it at interest, or how?" asked
Harry.
Invest in some business, and go in on
your own responsibility"
Mine hundred will not go far after
paying the necessary expense of fitting up"
modestly replied Harry.
Exactly so; and yet l think can see
an easy way for you. There is small
country store at the Point, seeking a pur-
chaser, and l believe your nine hundred
will enable you to effect a purchase. If
you can do so, l am willing to aid you
somewhat in getting started"
II will consider the subject, sir" was
Harry's quiet answer as the merchant
turned away.
Consider it, he did, and the result was
he purchased the stock and good will of
the establishment his employer had refer
red to, and with the assistance of Binning
he was enabled to replenish his stock so
that he had no just reason to
complain about his setting up, although
being some encountered with liabilities.
Thus far, all had been pleasant sailing
with Harry Thomas. His Cup of Plenty
seemed not to cease flowing.
PART u1-MATTHEw DEMANDS FIVE
YEARS.
"Who is that at the gate, father? some
father, as She was clearing the dinner
table.
The old man arose, and going to the
door, observed genteely dressed young
man ascending the steps, who inquired:
docs Walter Rowland live here?"
Il am he; walk in, SIR
Entering the spacious dining no ON, and
being seated, he said: II am Matthew
Bernard, formerly clerk at Yardstick's, in
l.
upon a farm. / have been referred to you
as a possible place to find work.
At these words, Deacon Rowland placed
his golden-bowed spectacles calmly on
and looked SO incredulously at Matthew
for a few moments that our friend became
almost ashamed to repeat his object in
calling, and bent his eyes down and sat
gazing at the floor, which almost glisten--
ed in its cleanliness.
Soon the Deacon, who saw the furry
his visitor was in, remarked: "My young
friend, am in need of man, but hardly
think person who has been subject to
such training as you say you have, would
suit my purpose"
81 am aware of my total Ignorance of
the duties of farm laborer, sir; but
am entirely willing, and indeed very anx-
ious, to learn. l will tell you frankly,
Mr.. Rowland, 1 despise the lazy and effem-
mate life of clerk, and wish to engage
in a more ennobling occupation" cour-
ageously said Matthew, gaining control
over himself at the kind and quiet words
Of the deacon.
"Are YOU aware that a man who labors
upon farm must needs be exposed to all
weather: that the labor itself is mOnoton-
ous-dull, in a general way; and more
than that, it requires a man to lay aside
fastidious habits and become what you
town folks call 'Clod-hopper?' " asked
the Deacon.
Il have thought so, and after mature de-
have decided to take hold and
master the calling and trust to God for re-
suits, provided can obtain place to do
SOL was Matthew's enthusiastic reply
"Young man." said Deacon Rowland,
II like that talk. Are you willing to do
the best you know how? Are you willing
to deny yourself many comforts for the
sake of successs'
II am wiling was Matthew'S brief
reply.
"How much wages do you expect?" in
quired Mr.. Rowland.
"What my services are worth, and no
more" promptly answered our young
friend
"Firstclass help commands about TWEEN
ty- five dollars per month and keeping.
do not think you could get above fifteen,
and if you choose to try it at that, you
may stay with u.s." said the Deacon.
81 was in hopes of receiving more; but
i'm consideration of my little idea of farm
ing, do not know but the price is suffi-
CENT? and then hcsitating moment, that
he might rapidly consider the subject, he
soon continued, "upon the whole, will
accept your offer"
"Very well, sir" answered Rowland.