Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-07-24
| SHALL Do AS / LIKE.

| together and converslng about the
change that was soon to take place in
| their circumstances, as they were short
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 q manufacturer. The other
lad was going to learn mechanical
| trade, and he was to maintain himself
as well 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 81
shall do as l like!' = Il
! The month passed rapidly, as did the
succeeding weeks which necessarily
transpired 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. f., ,,4,-..-.
Il told you meant to do as I like,
Frank, said John Rayner, one evening,
las they were walking in company
GIVE got to know jolly set of fellows,
and they've learned me to sn- oke first
rate. Look here" he added, producing
cigar, which he proceeded to light and
smoke.i 81 couldn't have done that at
home, 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 as he
liked" he was rapidly paving the way to
become a slave to vile and injurious
| habit. - ,......s
But John Rayner wasn't content with
becoming slave himself; be wanted to
drag his old school fellow 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" rs he described it. Come,
Frank, "ahe said, "make up your mind,
and try your hand at cabbage-leaf CT
gar tomorrow" !" 1# t.|
For awhile Frank seemed disposed TO
resist, but before the panions sepa-
rated he closed the argumen by saying,
"Well, think will allow myself Just
one cigar a day" .rl....5....., .:,......
| Bravo" exclaimed Rayner.r "That's
fright, Frank; be man, and do as | do.
| oil toll I 70
do as liked. "s-ars.dj OF -aaaus; Dn. =
When, once in a while, the two form er
fschOOl fellows met, the interview was
Fbrief, 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
Iance was always adhered to, but never
| exceeded ''.. 80. .t
""Inever see you smoking, old fellow;
was Rayner's remark on one of these
occasions. .........
l. We'll, you see was the reply, with
a smile, " prefer to keep my cigar to
myself at home, / can only afford one,
you know, and [ like to make the most
of it," .....
So years passed On, and the apprent-
|
had formed extravaganza habits, and was
heavily in debt. These things had gre
viously offended his father, who refused
to risk his money by affording 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, she
would do as he liked. - 90
] One day he CHANGED 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. {. ~ NV .aziag ...:-, ..a- .s. ..
"Tm sort of foreman" he said, in
one of the departments Of the factory
the same that I've been in all through.
I mean to go on and qualify myself. for
tthe post of manager, and perhaps I may
Fsome day get a partnership"
+ saBut what do you do, with all those
fbooks ~ asked Rayner pointing to
some well-flled shelves upon the wall.
! con, that library IS my one cigar a
fday,'" was the response,
| "What do you mean p g.,......ps
/ MEAN? Just this. When you both
Tered menso about being man, and
learning to smoke, I'd just been read
hing about a young fellow, who bought
books with money that others would
/ have spent in smoke, and I thought I'd
4 try and do the same. You remember
! I said [ should allow myself only one
cigar day." st,-..
4 Eyes" .,
/ "Well, I never smoked. 1 Just put
lby the price Of a two penny cigar every
day, and as the money accumulated /
bought books; the books you see there"
/ Do you mean to say those books
COSTING more than that? Why, there
are pounds and pounds worth of themW
| eyes, know there are. L had SIX
years. more of my apprenticeship to
serve when you persuaded me to be a
man. l put by the money have told
you of, which of course amounted at
tWOpcnce a day; to f3 Os. lOd. a wear