Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-04-09
HE KNEW HE COULD Run THAT EN-
CINE

Not long since boy of some seventeen wears
OF age called on merchant doing large bust
ness IN New York. Being buslly employed at
the time, the boy had To wall Il little before
getting all interview. Occasionally the mer-
chant cast glance at him as he stood ro-
specially at short distance. He was rather
poorly clad, and showed evidences OF pretty
hard work, but his face showed honesty and
common sense, With trm and energetic man =
illness under the somewhat rude exterior. A
practical business man requires but brief exam =
lnatlon Of boy TO declare as 10 his weight and
worth Of character.
When al liberty, the merchant said
swell my young friend, what eau | do for
you 2'
Il called, sir lie replied 'to ask you fol sit
uaton as an engineer | was told you were
having \ new engine built, and want you to
give me the place. | would like TO run it for
you"
'Aie you an engineer p asked the gentle.
man.
No, sir, but | can be- he answered, setting
his lips together, standing squarely before the
gentleman, Looking him full III the face. Il
don't understand the business well | know
something Of it though. But can be an ell
gineer and will lie and wish yos d give me
| a chance ,
His modest but determined manner pleased
the merchant.
u
tain department Of his business, aud could, of
course, have as many experienced operators as
he desired.
1t was no object Tor hun to taks an inexpe-
| rienced boy and attempt to train hm--no OBJ
Ject except TO help the boy. Such deeds he was
noted fora fact which,n no doubt had eucourag-
ed the boy TO make his application.
What are you doing now p he exclaimed.
Working in machine shop III Brooklyn
have been fireman, aud | often worked the
engine. l think | could go along pretty well
now If anybody would have little patience
with me-
what wages do you get?
't'ivs dollars week, sir
what do you do with the money!
Give II TO mother, SIR
'Giye 1t to your mother Humph What
does your mother do with it?'
wen, you see, there are mother, sister and
me; and mother takes III sewing But 1t goes
pretty hard, you know. They don't give much
for sewing, and it's pretty hard work, too
And then the other work she cannot get along
veryifast at that rate;so help her all eau. II
could get au engineers place. | could get
| more wages, and 1t would make it easier Tor
mother
How do you spend your evenings p asked
the gentleman.
Il attend the free school at Cooper Institute
studying mechanic,,' lie replied. Il spend ali
the time eau get studying, know can be
| all engineer.
do You ever drink
lie looked mp with an expression OF aston.
shinent on his couutenance that such a u,les-
ton should he asked; but he answered firmly
No, sir
DO you chew, or smoke, Or go to the thea.
tress'
Never; can't afford it. Mother needs the
money. And II she didn't could make bet
ter use of it. Id like to have soma books If |
could afford It,.
do you 20 to church or Sunday SCHOOL,
He held down his head, pretending 10 brush
the dust off the floor with his foot, and replied,
NO, sir.
'Why uotf inquired the merchant little
sharply.
81 hayn't any clothes fit TO wear,' he answer
ed. 1T takes all the money can get for us TO
live; and can't have any cothes.f lie look
ed down at his coarse and well-worn suit. st
didn't use to be so when father was living
| was brought up TO go TO church and Sunday
school. II can get to be an engineer, /
should go again. | know | can run an en-
gine.'
Telling him to call at a certain TINS when
be expected his engine would be in use, and
be would talk further with him, he dismissed
him.
But lie must have that engine,' said the
merchant to a friend to whom he elated the
circumstances. He will make a man that boy
will. boy who Is determined to do some
thing; who gives his mother all his money to
tighten her burdens; who does not use tobac
co, and does not go to theatres; who spends his
evenings in study, after working all day-such