The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-11-21
Select STORY.
WORKING FOR A LIVING.

"Ruined ?"
Ralph Hartston made the exclamation
in half incredulous and wholly surprised
tone; and no wonder for Sidney Coster
had the day before been the richest of all
that wealthy circle of which they were the
representatives.
"Ycs, ruined"
"But | do not understand il, Coster,"
said Hartston.
al suppose not
81 do not---I cannot realize il" persist.
cd Hartston.
"You would if you were in my place" !"
replied Sidney bitterly.
How did it happen-plcase explain y
said Hartston, lighting fresh cigar.
However much our friends may lose, it
seldom interferes much with our pleasures
in this world.
" Simply and naturally enough, replied
Coster, declining with wave of his hand
the proffered cigar. "No, must give up
that luxury now; l have no money to
spend on cigars. l trusted my money to
my uncle, who, by the way, is the best
fellow in the world, and he lost it all for
me; that's all. "
al am amazed at your GOODNESS" said
Ralph.
No use fretting about it now; that
won't mend the matter, or make it any
better"
"That's true enough, but very hard to
practice, imagine How did your uncle
who, by the way, should call very
sharp fellow, if he had lost all my fortune
for me, lose all this money? Large sum
believer"
"Cool hundred and fifty thousand" /"
replied Coster as composedly as il the sums
were but the same number of cents, or
belonged to some one else.
"And he lost it?"
"Yes, that's just it-spceulating," in-
terrupted Sidney, us his friend glanced
iuquiringly at him.
And you, Sidney, what will you p"
"Why go to work, of course What
else is there to do?''
"Work ! Sidney Coster at work lie
the daintiest and most wealthy aristocrat
of US all, at work Why the idea is
preposterous and absurd.
The sneering laugh which followed
these words nettled his listener, and
reused all tho manhood within him.
"And why shouldn't | work--or you
either, for that matter? God intended
that all his creatures should earn their
bread, and because we have always lived
and grown in the sun of pleasure, and
eaten the bread Of idleness, is Il any reason
why We always should ? Out upon such
ideas, say and away with this false
pride, that will permit gentleman to
swindle, lie, gamble and steal, and not
lower himself; but aliases him to the dust
if he dares to honestly earn his living It's
all wrong, and win not be bound by i'll"
He showed by his earnest look that he
meant it, every word. Hartston was
aghast at such leyeling ideas, and said
"Just as you please, of course, Coster.
You are your own master. But, of course,
If you choose to put yourself down in the
dirt, you won't expect your friends to
come down to,the same level. /, for one,
would never think of nssociating with
man who worked for living
Sidney Coster's lip curled in contempt
of such character Hartston continued:
Why don't you go ahead, old fellow,
aud marry some rich girl? You are
good-looking fellow and might very easily
do il"
What an honorable thing that would
be, wouldn't IL? | would rather starve
than thus degrade myself and deceive a
woman |"
=" As you please. Good-dayl' And
one ''friend' was gone.
Coster looked after him moment aud
IN spite of his brave words ho felt bitter
against the fate that had made him poor
man. It was pleasant life, this that he
had been leading, and 1t was hard to give
itup.
The next thing to do was to search for
employment. Hc possessed nothing in
the world except his clothes aud small
amount Of jewelry--relies Of his former
butterfly existence heart full Of
courage. He did not know how to work,
had never attempted even the slightest
details of business, but he set resolutcly
about the task before him.
He walked the city for days and days.
but all in vain. No one wanted him.
There were plenty Of situations, but when
his qualifications were asked he was forced
20 tell the miserable truth and confess that