The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-03

talk of that yet, he continued; we'll
manage for over Sunday, and all the rest
of the days, see if we don't
John fell to brushing his clothes, and
his mother sighed again
There is lingering remnant of aris-
tocracy about my appearance, mother
he began again, in a lighter tone, which
is very much against me when / go in
with the fellows who strike the big ticks
of the world. They regard me as if l
were a sort of l4sets nature and when
they find out what want they seem to
think 1T is prodigiously funny. I'm off
now, and the young man kissed his
mother affectionately, If am not back
at the usual time, don't be worried, be-
cause In that case 1 may have struck
Job. In our condition, mother, there is
something very depressing in punctual-
ity.'
There never was the slightest sadness
or indecision in John Burnham's manner
when he was with his mother, but now, at
safe distance from the house, he stopped
to consider which way it was best to 90.
He felt as if he had used up everything
In every direction, and for moment
beggardly, shame-faced feeling took pos
session of him. 1t seemed to him as if
the very stones of the street he had
travelled over so much knew of his pov-
erty and his inability to lessen it.
This II never do he said to himself.
The question is, have l or have I not
right to look for living? If have,
what Is there to be ashamed of? There
must be something radically wrong in
fellow S makeup to get into such a pickle
as this
John had turned down a side-street in
order to have his growl out, as he told
himself, and by so doing to exercise the
demon of shame that had taken possess
sion of him. 1t was the first time in all
his long and exhausting struggle that he
had felt ashamed of his poverty, or too
tired to keep on trying for work. Physi-
cal fatigue was no doubt the cause of his
mental unrest, but the determined young
man fought like hero, and of course
came off conqueror AS he walked
slowly along trying to decide in which
direction he should turn his steps. a
man passed him with some circulars
John watched him moment, and noticed
that the announcement which had seemed
important enough to call public atten-
ton to, was in almost every instance
thrown carelessly into the yards instead
of being left at the houses. He picked
up one and found it to be an advertise
ment OF the opening of new grocery
store, with list of articles and their
prices, which were certainly very cheap.
III go for this, he said and throwing
oft his fatigue as he might discard coat
he was tired of, started himself for the
street and number.
Have you any route which hasn't
been worked?' he inquired of the pro-
prietor
Why?' asked the gentleman.
Because, if you have, l want to take
1T, and if don't bring you some custom
ers 1t must be because folks don't read
the circulars.
All right! was the hearty answer :;
we can give you Job; but 1 shouldn't
suppose you had been used to this bust
ness.
Never mind about that, said John :;
L want the work, and I'll do it to the
best of my ability If I work till to-
morrow afternoon | shall hope to be paid
at that time, on account of needing the
money for over Sunday
1t was small sum, but it would keep
the wolf from the door, and there would
be plenty of business, John found, for a
part, at least. of the following week.
His request was acceded to, and the
young man loaded up with the advertise
ments
I guess you'll get along, the proprie-
| tor remarked encoura pinolv
And John hurried off to his new, and
certainly not very congenial, EN- ploy-
ment. He had noticed everything about
the store, and those connected with it.
His intuitions were keen and his impress
sions reliable, and feeling sure that this
was an A grocery store, he determined
that he would make other people think
so also. Not circular went astray on
this route. They were not left to blow
about the streets or litter up the side
walks. Whenever he rang bell he
handed in the notice with few pleasant
words calling attention to the popular
prices, and in almost every instance was
sure he had made the proper impression.
% but John, such hard and such disa
greeable work his mother exclaimed
when she found out what he had been
doing.
And so anti-respectablel' he laughed.