Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-09-24
LUCK

"It's Just my luck, mother. I might have
known shouldn't get the place, for all it
seemed as though 1 was sure of it. I'm the
most unlucky boy ir the world, and l always
was, ever since I can remember. There's
Osmond Gray, he got the place, just as he
does everything. He is no better scholar
than 1 am, but he always comes out ahead"
This was said in tone of mingled impa.
tience and regret, as the speaker, lad OF
fourteen summers, looked earnestly at his
mother. That she was sadly disappointed her
face plainly revealed.
"If Mr.. Bemis has taken Osmond Gray into
the counting room instead of you, he had
reason for it. If you fail, as often as you
complain you do, there is reason for it,
responded Mrs Crowley. 81 have been a.
fraid for good while, that you would grow
up to be bad man."
"That's the way you always talk, mother.
1t seems as though you blame me for every
thing that happens"
"No I don't, my son; I'm afraid | love
you too we'll for that. I'm afraid | love you
too we'll for your own good"
"No, mother, you know you couldn't do
that. Uncle Jack says we belong to an un:
lucky family. He says he always had lad
luck, and suppose must expect to have 1t. "
"Your uncle has his own luck, my son.
He has been his own enemy. You are not old
enough vet to realize it, but he reaps the re-
ward of his own doings. He is kind-hcarted
and generous but he is apt to put OFT till to-
morrow what ought to be done to-day. tie
is never quite ready to do anything that can
be left for another time. Then, he has spent
a small fortune for liquor and tobacco, and
that is the secret of his bad luck. You are
a good deal like him, but it would break my
heart to have you grow up to be such man
as he is.'
"Why, mother, / thought you loved Uncle
Jack |" exclaimed Ned Crowley.
81 do love him. But I know his faults,
and he knows them, too !; though he says it's
too late for him to change. Ifyou would ask
Mr. Bemis, why he gave the place in his
countng-room to Osmund Gray, instead of
you, 1 think he would tell you. l don't know
how we can live, now my health is so poor,
unless you can earn money somewhere"
Mr.. Bemis was surprised at receveing a
call from Ned Crowley, and still more surprs'
ed when he was respectfully asked the rea-
son for his preference in the selection of an
under-clerk 81 know it is a strange question
for me to ASK" added the boy. .
"It Is strange; but, as you asked it, | will
answer it," was the reply. Until within a
fortnight, intended to give the place to you.
| knew you we're good scholar, handsome
writer, and quick accountant. Then, knew
that your mother needed the help Of your
wages. But heard some one say you were
like your Uncle Jack, and l began to watch
you 1 saw you drink glass of beer in Reeds
saloon, and one day I saw you putting cigar.
That was the way your Uncle Jack began,
and I didn't dare to trust you"
"Thank you, for telling me this, Mr. Bemis. "
And despite the tremor in voice, and the
bushes which burned upon his cheeks, the
boy did not shirk from the earnest gaze fhis
companions.
"I thought it was my fault, and I'll change
my habits. Ifyou will give me any kind of
chance to work, I'll do the best | can, and
then see where the luck comes"