Connecticut western news., 1878-10-16
How to be a Man.

l Being busily employed at the time, the boy had to wait @ little before getting an opportunity for an interview. Occa- the merchant cast glance at him as he stood respectfully at 8 short distance. He was rather poorly clad, and showed evidence of pretty hard work but his face indicated honesty and common sense, with firm and ener- |, getic manliness, under the somewhat | rude exterior. A practical business man requires but brief examination of boy | to declare as to his weight and worth of character.
 When at liberty, the merchant said:
 "Well, my young friend, what can I do for you ?'
 "I called, sir," he replied, "to ask you for situation as an engineer. I was told you were having new engine built, and l want you to give me the place. I'd like to run it for you."
 "Are you an engineer ?" asked the gentleman.
 "No, sir; but can be-" he answered, setting his lips firmly together, standing squarely before the gentleman, and look ing him full in the face. "I don't un- derstand the business we'll I know something of it, though. But can be an engineer and will be. And I wish you would give me chance"
 His modest but determined manner pleased the merchant. He was having new engine built for certain depart ment of his business, and could of course have as many experienced opera tors as he desired. It was no object for him to take up an inexperienced boy and attempt to train him no object ex- cept to help the boy. Such deeds he was noted for; fact which no doubt had encouraged the boy to make his application.
 "What are you doing now?" he in- quired.
 Working in machine-shop. in Brooklyn. I have been fireman and I often worked the engine. I think could get along pretty we'll with one now, if anybody will have little patience with me-"
 "What wages do you get ?"
 "Five dollars week, sir"
 "What do you do with your money ?'' "Give it to my mother, sir. "Give it to your mother hump hump! what does your mother do with it?"
 "Well, you see, there is mother, sis ter and me and mother takes ill sew ing. But it goes pretty hard you know. They don't give much for sewing, and it's pretty hard work, too. And then with the other work she has to do, you know she cannot get along very fast at that rate, so I help her all I can. If ] could get an engineers place I could get more wages, and it would make it easier for mother"
 How do you spend your evenings 9 asked the gentleman.
 attend the free schools at the Cooper Institute, studying mechanics, he re. piled. "I spend all the time I can gel studying. I know I can be an engi neer."
 "Do you ever drink liquor ?"
 He looked up with an expression o1 astonishment on his countenance thai such a question should be asked, but answered firmly: "No, sir.''
 "Do you chew, or smoke, or go the theatre ?"
 "Never-can't afford it. Mother need. the money And if she didn't couli make a better use of it. I'd like to have some books if I could only spare tn, money to get them"
 Do you go to church or Sunda, school ?"
 He held down his head, pretending tc brush the dust off the floor with his foot and replied; "No sir"
 "Why not ?" asked the merchant, little sharply.
 "I haven't any clothes fit to wear, he replied. "It takes all the money can get for us to live; and can't hay, any clothes." He looked down at hi coarse and we'll worn suit. ''It didn' use to be so when father was living. was brought up to go to church and t, Sunday school. If I can get to be al engineer shall go again. I know cal run an en91ne."
 Telling him to call at certain time when he expected his engine would b. in use, and he would talk further witl him, he dismissed him. "But, he mus have that engine" said the merchant t, friend to whom he related the circum stance. "He will make man, tha boy will. A boy who is determined t. do something; who gives his mother al of his money to tighten her burdens who does not use tobacco, and does no go to the theatres; who spends his even ings in study after working all day, sucl boy would make man, and deserve to be helped. have not told him so but shall take him and put him unde one of my engineers until he is full, capable of taking charge, and then le him have the engine. He will ge twenty dollars week then instead o five, and be able to tighten a mother burdens, have clothes to wear to church and buy books to aid in his business. A noble boy, though hidden among hard conditions and under unattraotiv garbs, will work out and show hls man
 hood. He may not always find friend
 to appreciate him; but determined
 virtuous, and willing to endure, he wll in due time conquer. , SCHOOL TEACHERS. - Probably fey