The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-12-03
Ghildtru's Column.
GETTING A BOY.

me entire satisfaction. One OF them was
so lazy. and had so great talent for
vawning and gaping, that was obliged
10 get rid of him. Another was a bright
enough boy, but was too fond of prying
into other peoples business, and listening
to all the conversation that went on in
the Office. Another was so slow in going
and returning when sent on errands, and
of so poor a memory, that he was not
worth his wages. Another stole small
change and postage stamps whenever he
had a chance. Another had learned the
habit of using tobacco sufficiently to make
himself very disagreeable. When l was
ont of the office he would smoke at al
most all times he would spit. He had to
leave. Another boy was neat in his ap-
pearance, and wrote a good hand, but
was insuferably impudent. His term Of
Office continued but one week.
I was much annoyed. The wages were
fair. the work was light, and the place
was one which any youngster who wanted
to begin to learn business, might have
been glad to get. l inquired among all
nv friends for Just the sort Of boy l
wanted. One excellent minister, a sound
theologian, but poor judge Of boys, sent
me one of the most untidy lads l ever
saw. His hair was mop; his boots had
not been BACKED for a week; his clothes
looked as if he was in the habitof spread
ing his meals over them, and his finger
nails were in mourning for departed soap.
Had I been running a reformatory insh-
tuition, might have taken that boy for
Of one the patients. l had no work for
which he was adapted was told that
he was the only support Of his widowed
mother. 1 was sorry for the widowed
mother that she had such a slovenly son /;
and I thought that, however poverty
stricken they might be, water was plenty
and soap not very costly.
For a good many weeks suffered from
the want of the right kind of an office
boy. At last I concluded to advertise
for one. I was determined to have, if
possible, trustworthy boy neat, gen
tlemanly, prompt, and diligent. So l
advertised thus:
Wanted in an office, boy who lives with his
parents; who is prompt neat, diligent, and does
not use tobacco Address, in handwriting OF
applicant. with recommendations, -".
Now I was certain I should be suited.
Applications poured in by mail. There
were in all about a hundred and fifty
written answers to my advertisement
Some of them were literary curiosihes.
The spelling of some was frightful, and IN
a number of instances the penmanshlp
was enough to make me wish never to
see the writers. Out of the whole lot |
selected about twenty which seemed wor-
thy of attention. I felt sorry for the dis
appointed boys whom could not take,
for all had written as if they were very
anxious to have the place.
Concerning these twenty applicants l
made as thorough inquiry as circum-
stances would warrant, IN several cases
going in person to their houses to see
what kind of parents they had, how they
had been brought up, and what were
their surroundings. | saw some very
nice bows, and homes which were credit
to the people who managed them. l
wanted no profane little rufian who
would spend his evenings and his earn
ings at the circus or the low theatre. l
had no use for the street-boy who goes
bowling through the neighborhood at
night with a gang Of disorderly fellows,
pulling door-bells and smashing ash-bar-
rels. I did not want boy for week or
a month, only to discharge him and get
another for like term but / wanted
one who was worth trusting, treating
we'll, and bring up to business.
At last I found boy who seemed to
be exactly what was needed. l accepted
the lad, and he commenced to render ser
vice. He was tidy, respectful, and toler-
ably prompt. He wrote neat hand, and
desired to give satisfaction. Altogether
he seemed by far the best boy | had en-
ploved. But perfection does not dwell
in small boys at four dollars week.
This bow, like all others, had his infrml-
ties. True, he did not smoke, spit, swear
steal, drink whisky, or use rude language
He did not mean to neglect his work
Perhaps he did his best; but he was heed
less. If a boy is told to do a particular
thing, it is with view of his doing 1t
That is what the boy is for. If it is
matter Of uncertainty with me whether he
will do it or not, can do better by do
ing it myself than by telling him to DO 1t
If he would only say to me " l will no
DO that" then I should know exactly
what to do. l kept that boy some time
I liked him so well that got along witt
his needless streak the best way l could
I would talk to him as kindly as l knew
how. and tell him the mischief whcl
would RESULT he allowed himself to grow
mp a needless man. All IN vain.
One afternoon a leather satcLel was t