The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-11-26
. orking for a Living.

Ruined?" L
Ralph Hartston made the exclama-
ton in half incredu1ous and wholly
surprised tone; and no wonder, for
Sidney Costsr had the day before been
the richest of all that wealthy circle
of which they were the representa-
tives.
:, r.Yes, rnined.D re.e,Eea-EFpss
"But | do not understand it, Cos
ter said Hartston.
NJ do hot-I cannot realize 1t" per-
sisted Hartston. 4
"You would if you were in my
place, replied Sidney bitterly.
"How did it happen-pleasel ex-
plain," said Hartston, lighting fresh
cigar. However much our friends
may lose, in this world.
tsSimply aud naturally enough" re-
piled Coster, declining, with waive
of the hand the proffered cigar. mo,
| must give up that luxury now l
trusted my money to my uncle, who,
by the way, is the best fellow iTl-the
world, and he lost all for me; that's
all" II - 55fa ro47 coma
81 am amazed at your GOODNESS" i" said
Ralph.
s s.No use fretfing about ifsnow that
won't mend the matter, or make 1T
any better" --------
ssThat,s true enough, but very hard
to practice, imagine. How did your
uncle, who, by the way, / should call
a very sharp fellow, if he had lost all
my fortune, lose all this money !?
Large sum | believer
g 'sCool hundred and fifty thousand" !"
replied Goster as composedly as 1.-THE
sums were but the same mum ber of
CENTS or belonged to some one else.
"And he lost it"
eyes, that's just it-speculating,"
interrupted Sidney, as his friend
glanced inquiringIy at him. 1M#
Sand you, Sidney, what will
-'sWhy go towork, of course? What
else is there to do?"
"Work Sidney Coster at work!
He the daintiest and most wealthyzar-
istocrat among US all, at work Why
the idea is pfeposterous and absurd" !"
The sneering laugh which followed
these words nettled his listener, and
reused all the manhood within him.
"And why shouldn't l work-or
you either, for that matter? God in
tended that all his creatures should
Garn their bread, and because we have
always lived and grown in the sun OF
pleasure, aud eaten the bread of idle
ness, is it 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 himself to the
dust if he dares honestly TO earn his
living. It's all wrong. and | will not
be bound by iti'
He showed by his earnest work
that he meant it, every word. Hart
ston was aghast at such leVsling ideas,
and said: s....-..-
.'Just as you please, of course, Cos
ter. You are your own master. But
of course, if you choose to put your
self down in the dirt, you won't ex-
pect your friends TO come down to
the same level. /, for one,Would never
think of associating with man, who
worked for q living"
Sidney Coster's lip curled in con-
tempt of such character. Hartston
continued
Thy don't you go ahead, old fell
1OW3 OoSA1J 0O 4As
aWhat an honorable thing that
would be, wouldn't it2" 1 would
rather starve thanthns degrade my
self and deceive woman!"
CAS- you please. Good day. And
one "friend" was gone.
Coster looked after him q moment,
and in spite of his brave words he
felt bitter against the fate that had
made him poor man. 1t was a pleas
ant life, this that he had been leading,
and it was hard to give.it up.
The next thing to do was to search
for employment. He possessed moth
ing in the world except his clothes and
a small amount of jewelry-relies Of
his former butterfly existence-andi a
heart full of courage. He did not
know how to work, had never attemp-
ted even the slightest details of busi-
ness, but set resolutely about the task
before him.
He walked the city for two days.
but all in vain. No. one wanted him.
There were plenty of sithations,l bot
when his qualifications were asked he
was forced to tell the miserable truth
and confess he knew just nothing
How bitterly he regretted now, in his
hour of need, that he had not spent
the hours which he lad wasted in Ac-
quiring his accomplishments,in in learn
lug something that would help him in
his strait. Regrets were useless, and
he went steadily forward upon the
hard path of duty. 6f1 Fl
AT last he lost all hopes @of finding
any employment in the city,
and turned his face toward the spread
ing fields, aud shady groves. aud con-
tented, peaceful homes of Gods own
land, the country. lie did not know
what he should do there; he bad not
friend in4ths wide world, lie thought,
who cared, whether he lived or died.
Where his uncle-the unhappy cause
of his misfortune--hadg gone he did
not know. He only knew that he was