The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-02-12

my being half an hour too late.
At last my father thought of happy
expedient. He would put me in a store;
there 1 should have another master, and
would feel myself called upon to please
him. AS if 1 did not try to please
everybody 1t was the whole aim of my
life; but necessarily counterbalanced
by the evil genius that attended me
wherever I went. For week escaped
any severe reprimand for my habitual
failing. Naturally enough, 1 felt graft
fed, and determined to make myself
useful to my employer, who was an
active business man, and liked industri-
Gus clerks.
ga number of pieces of those dress
goods must be sent for Mrs. A to
one morning. "she is a good custom
er, and will probably purchase some
forty or fifty dollars worth"
was about selecting the goods, when
I recollected that it was imperatively
necessary that should make out sew
eral accounts without delay. Some
| considerable time was consumed in at
tending to this duty, and it was noon
before was aware of it. Dispatching
my dinner as quickly as possible, I
fastened back to the store, and COM
menced asserting the different fabrics
| for Mrs. A. I stopped moment at
hearing my employers voice.
"That letter was copied and mailed,
of course ?"
81 believe so," responded a fellow
clerk, and went quietly on with his
work.
1t was a mistake. The letter had not
been copied. I had been told to do it,;
but customers were waiting, and con-
sidering them of more consequence
than mere letter, I had put it off the
night before, designing to accomplish
the task the first thing in the morning.
But I had forgotten it, until reminded
of my remissness by what had heard.
hurried to the desk, on some frivolous
pretence, and speedily copied the let
ter, superscribed it, and seizing my hat,
fastened to the post-office. The mail
had been gone an hour, and my
efforts availed nothing. 1t was the old
story, and felt discouraged and dis
| heartened.
Hiding the letter in my pocket, I re-
turned to the employment which had
been interrupted, resolving not to leave
it until Mrs. A was in safe posses
sion of the goods. The errand-b boy be-
ing otherwise engaged, I took the pack
age along myself, rang the bell, and de-
sired to see the lady. After some delay,
she appeared.
Goods for you to examine, from
Brown & Burt's," said, with respect
full bow"
I thought Mrs. A looked some
what out of humor, and her reply con-
vinced me that I was not mistaken.
"You can take them back again." she
rejoined, coldly. 81 supplied myself
half an hour ago at another place. 1
desired them to be sent this morning
and if your employer does not in any
measure govern himself by the wishes
of his customers, he must take the con.
sequences. 1 waited until was out of
patience"
The lady turned away, and trudged
back with the goods. Twice in one
And SO thought my employer, who
coolly dischared me, after assuring me
that through my want of punctuality he
had lost one of his best customers. 1
then frankly told him about the letter
He was more angry than before, and
vehemently asserted that the delay
would prove fatal to his credit.
Jeered by my fellow clerks, and con-
founded by the unexpected resentment
which 1 encountered, I went home
again, only to have the scene renewed.
My mother looked unhappy, and my
father met me with frown, an indica-
ton of displeasure which so often re-
ceived, that had become used to it. I
was now eighteen years of age, and old
enough, he said, to put away childish
things, and become man.
Gilbert" he added, with emphasis,
"why don't you overcome this propen-
sity to be always late? Make an effort,
my son, strong effort"
An effort Had not my whole exist
ence been a continued, tremendous
effort to throw off the spell that weighed
me down that stood in the way of my
prosperity that lost me friends, and
gained me enemies that was a source
of disquiet to myself, and everybody
who had the misfortune to be connected
with me.
wished much to go to sea. My
father had an acquaintance, who was an
old sea-captain, and he was willing (for
1 was of no use to him), provided pre-
liminaries could be arranged satisfac-
torily, that should accompany him on
his next voyage. No objection was
made to this proposal on the part of the
captain, and, much delighted, I COM
menced preparations.
My mother was serious, not sad.
With her accustomed kindness and ma
ternal solicitude, she disposed my
wardrobe in a large trunk, gave me
good advice, besought me to obey the
captain in every particular, and hoped
the change would be for my benefit.
"Endeavor to conquer your besetting
sin, my child" she added, with a moth
er's earnestness. "Make good reso-
luton, and keep it respect yourself,
and others will respect you. If you
fail, try again, and persevere until you
long as he permits bad habit to rule
him imperiously."
L was sorry she brought up this disa-
greeable theme to dampen my exuber.
ant spirits at such a time but recol-
lecting her interest in my welfare, I
promised (that was easily done) all she
could ask. L put my imagination at
active employment, and pictured scenes
of grandeur far surprising everything
had seen.
Ny highest anticipations were now
about to be realized. I could hardly
control my Joy, so greatly was elated
at the prospect before me. Ipromised
souvenirs of my travels to my less for
tunate friends. and slowed aWay LARGE