Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-01-23

before the week is over" grOWled the
doctor. Meanwhile I must find a
steady boy for my Office"
He was annoyed at Mrs. FlaXman's
defence of the young scapegrace, and
could not resist giving this parting cut
at her son.
But the week passed, another and an
other, but still no word from Harry.
Steve Parker, who had gone with him,
had written home twice, begging for
money, but did not mention Harry's
name.
"Young Flaxman," the people said,
when they met in the market, had
more pluck than that Parker. He'd
starve before he'd give up"
When Steve and Harry landed in New
York it was a bright morning, and no
millionaire walked the streets with more
secure pride in his future than they did
as they strutted up Broadway.
"Stephen Girard had but two shillings
to begin his career, and Ben Franklin a
sixpence," said Harry, "and we have
three dollars, Steve"
yes; and they were old fogies. We
make business spin to a different fashion
nowadays. Look at jim Fisk. Began
as peddler. / bet you I've got some
tricks in business that go ahead Of any
peddler."
Harry did not boast, but he marched
rather than walk the streets.
We'll go up to Clements and tell
him we have come to town. He'll be
delighted" said Steve.
They found the clothing store with
difficulty "Clements?' said the pro-
prietor, oh, there had been Il runner of
that name employed by the firm, but
he was discharged long ago. Did he
want clerk? No, nor shop boy, laugh
ing. Nobody in New York wanted new
hands that winter; the object was to get
rid of half the old ones.
"Old idiot said Steve, as they walk
ed away. 1t was growing dark. The
| boys found cheap hotel but by the
time they had paid for supper, bed and
breakfast, the larger portion of their
three dollars was gone. The next two
or three days were spent in answering
advertisements. They began trying for
positions as book-keepers, and came
rapidly down to errand boys.
"Only give me Il footing" Harry said
a thousand times, "and | will make my
way"
The third day his tones were not SO
| bold, though the words were the same.
He had breakfasted on dry bread and
slept on the steps Of a church.
Their last essay brought them to an
intelligence Office kept by colored
man.
"No sitooations for white folks hyar,"
he said
Look-a-here, boys, you're from de
country, Ell? My advice to you is to
go back dab as soon as you kin. De
man or boy who kin earn bread and
butter in de country is a fool if he leaves
it to come to town dis winter"
They walked on and sat down III a
doorway.
"That's good advice" said Steve, and
began to whlmper.
Il have ten cents left" said Harry
"Iil not give up" but his lips began to
look blue and his jaws lean.
The three weeks had passed. One
Monday morning gaunt, ragged boy
stood on one of the ferry-boats with a
half-dozen papers under his arm.
"Here's your Times, .Erald, Tribune"
he called.
Nobody bought.
"Sir," he said, pulling gentleman,
buy from me. [ haven't eaten a mouth
full since yesterday noon"
"Bah.' and the man pushed him
aside
Harry staggered against the railing,
and looked down into the dark rushing
river
a month ago he would have been
busy In the snug little office, or studying
at the medical books, which had begun
to interest him; well fed, well clothed,
and with a happy, comfortable home,
and a fond mother waiting for him.
At the thought of his mother the hot
tears chased each other. downs his
cheeks.
"Hello, youngster'' said voice be-
side him.
Harry started and stammered:
" Mr.. Clements p
Eyes, it's me; under the weather, as
you see;" slapping his shabby coat and
dirty shirt, i'll which still sparkled the
diamond
q It must be paste, or he would have
sold it," thought Harry, sharpened by
his month of town life.
p eyes, I'm out of work. Tried betting,
turning the cards; all sorts of luck. Co
ing in for. honesty now. Going to the
country tomorrow to answer this adver-
tisement. Snug little berth, I Judge
Your place, by the way"
He pulled out an Oldborough Weekly
Star. DR.. Harley advertised for an Of
fee boy.
He handed Clements back the paper.
When they reached the pier he went
ashore and stood stunned and Devil
dered-sick, too, from hunger.
''The prodigal son must have felt as I
DO when he wished for the husks which
the swine did eat" he thought. "He
went back to his father and said I have
sinned."
Some days later one of his occasional
patients hailed the doctor On the street.
Didn't see that young reprobate,
Flaxman, sneaking into town last night