Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-25
/ SHALL DO As / LIKE.

change that was soon to take place in
their circumstances, as they were short
w after to begin business life as appren-
tees. One of them, the only son Of a
prosperous lawyer, was gong as an ap-
prentice to manufacturer. 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
resoIute 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
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.
!" told you | meant to do as | like
Frank" said John Rayner, one evening,
rs they were walking in company
I've got to know q jolly set of fellows,
and they've learned me to sn- olle first
rate. Look here" he added, producing
a cigar, which he proceeded to light and
smoke. Il couldn't have 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 rapidly paving the way to
become 4 slave to vile and injurious
habit.
But John Rayner wasn't content with
becoming a slave himself; he wanted to
drag his old school fellow into the same
course. More than once ne 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, IS he described it. Come,
Frank" he said, make up your mind,
and try your hand at Il cabbage-leaf CT
gar tomorrow.
For awhile Frank seemed disposed to
resist, but before the companions sepa-
rated he closed the argument by saving,
Well, | think | will allow myself Just
one cigar day"
Bravop exclaimed Rayner "That's
right, Frank; be man, and do as | do.
You know always told you | meant to
DO rs | liked"
When, once III while, the twoformer
school fellows met, the interview was
brief, though friendly enough. John
generally wanted to know how Frank
got on with his one cigar a day, and
was as regularly assured that the allow
ance was always adhered to, but never
exceeded
/ never see you smoking, old fellow"
was Rayners remark on one of these
occasions.
We'll, you see" was the reply, with
i smile, /" | prefer to keep xly cigar to
myself ut home, | can only afford one,
you know, and | like to make the most
Of it."
SO years passed on, and the apprent-
ice days We're ended. Young Rayner
had formed extravagant habits, and was
heavily in debt. These things had gre
yiOusly offended his father, who refused
to risk his money by afiording 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 as he liked"
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.
I'm Il sort of foreman" he said, I" in
one of the departments of the factory
the same that I've been in all through.
| 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-filled shelves upon the wall.
ooh, that library is my one cigar a
day, was the response,
What do you mean?'
Mean? Just this. When YOU both
cred me so about being a man, and
learning 10 smoke, I'd just been read
ing about young fellow who bought
books with money that others would
have spent III smoke, and | thought I'd
try and do the same. You remember
| said / should allow myself only one
cigar day."
Yes"
Well, | never smoked. | Just put
by the price of two penny cigar every
day, and as the money accumulated |
bought books; the books you see there"
Do you mean to say those books
cost no more than that? Why, there
are pounds and pounds worth of themm
Yes, | know there are. | had SIX
years more of my apprenticeship to
serve when you persuaded me to be
man. put by the money have told
you of, which of course amounted at
twopence Il day, to f3 0s. 10d. year;
or SIS 5s. in six years. | keep those
books by themselves, as the result of
my apprenticeship cigar-money; and if
you'd done as | did you would by this
time have saved many, many pounds
more than that, and been in business
besides"
Each ofthese youths 'tdid as he liked. !"
The difference was that one liked self
indulgence, and the other liked to be
careful, studious, and industrious.
1TTrx aIiof Of ,anl1an prac viSitoI NV