Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-07-24
1 SHALL DO As l LIKE.

ly after to begin business life as appren-
tees. One Of them, the only son of a
prosperous lawyer, was going as an APP
prentice to manufactures. The other
lad was going to learn a mechanical
trade, and he was to maintain himself
as we'll as he could on his small wages.
Each had much to say about his future
career. The poorer lad was telling his
companion how earnestly he meant TO
apply himself to his trade, and how
resolute he was in his determination to
become skillful in every branch Of it.
The other, who was more concerned
about the opportunities he should have
for enjoying himself, exclaimed, Il
shall do as | like"
The month passed rapidly, as did the
succeeding weeks which necessarily
TRANSFERRED before our two young friends
were duly settled in their new homes.
The difference in their circumstances
was even greater now than it had been
before; but the old schoolboy attach
ment drew them into occasional COM
munication, and at irregular and distant
intervals the two lads met.
Il told you l meant to do as l like,
Frank" said John Rayner, one evening,
rs they were walking in company.
GIVE got to know jolly set of fellows,
and they've learned me to smoke first
rate. Look here" he added, producing
cigar, which he proceeded to light and
smoke. ~ couldn't nave done that at
nome, old boy, even if had dared
Poor lad! Like many others he had
strange ideas of what constituted true
manliness, and in seeking to "do rs he
liked he was rap IDLY paving the way to
become slave to vile and injurious
habit.
But John Rayner wasn't content with
becoming slave himself; he wanted to
drag his old school follow into the same
course. More than once he tried his
persuasive powers but without avail,
till one evening he reminded Frank
that the morrow was the first anniver-
sary of his (Frank's) being bound APP
prentice, and that there could be no
better time for turning over new
leaf" as he described it. Come,
Frank" he said, "make up your mind,
and try your hand Mt cabbage-leaf CT
gar tomorrow"
For awhile Frank seemed disposed TO
resist, but before the companions sepa-
rated he closed the argument by saying,
swell, l think will allow myself just
one cigar day"
BravoT exclaimed Rayner. "That's
right, Frank; be man, and do as do
You know always told you meant to
do rs liked"
When, once in II while, the two former
school fellows met, the interview was
brief, though friendly enough. John
generally wanted to know how Frank
got on with his one cigar day, and
was as regularly assured that the allow
ance was always adhered to, but never
exceeded
"Inever see you smoking, old fellow
was Rayner's remark on one of these
occasions.
"Weil, you See" was the reply, with
smile, Z" prefer to keep any cigar to
myself at home, can only afford one,
you know, and l like to make the most
of it,"
So years passed on, and the apprent-
ice days were ended. Young Rayner
had formed extravagant habits, and was
heavily in debt. These things had gre
viously offended his father, who refused
to risk his money by aitording his son
the means of entering into business for
himself and from that time forward
John Rayner lived an idle, useless life,
consoling himself with the thought that
his father would not live forever, and
that sooner or later the money must
become his own. when, once more, "he
would do rs he liked"
One day he Glanced to meet his old
school fellow, near Franks lodgings,
and was invited to enter and sit awhile.
In the conversation that ensued Frank
told him of his circumstances, which
seemed far more promising than his
own.
"Tm a sort of foreman" he said, I'm
one of the departments of the factory
the SAME that I've been in all through.
1 mean to go on and qualify myself for
the post of manager, and perhaps may
some day get partnership"
" But what do you do with all those
books.' asked Rayner, pointing to
some well-iilled shelves upon the wall.
ooh, that library is my one cigar
day was the response.
What do you mean?"
Mean? Just this. When YOU both
cred me so about being man, and
learning 10 smoke, I'd just been read
ing about young fellow who bought
books with money that others would