Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-08
The True Ring.

This was the advertisement that appeared
in one of the morning papers of large city.
Many young fellow who had been seek
ing employment for weeks felt his hopes
rise as he read it.
Fred Barker heard it at the breakfast
table the day after it appeared; his sister
Louise said, 40 Fred forgot TO tell you
that saw in yesterdays paper that Mitchell
& Tyler want clerk that will be the place
above all others for you. It's splendid
store. OF course you can get the place if
from Uncle Horace his influence and your
appearance will settle the matter. heard
Mr.. Mitchell was real fussy about his clerks,
but Pm sure he can find nothing to object
to in my handsome, well-dressed BROTHER"
and the elder sister looked admiringly at
Fred's fair face, smooth locks, and well fit
ting suit.
"Perhaps III call around there after |
awhile" Fred said carelessly.
"Please hurry and go now, won't you 7"
his sister said I" Pm afraid somebody has |
snatched up the place before this time"
Fred finished his breakfast in leisurely
way, put a few touches to his already
careful toilet, lighted cigar, and sauntered
forth.
"Better throw away your cigar before you
go in. Mr.. Mitchell may object to that"
said Louise, who stood in the front door as
he passed out.
"He'll have to take me as | am," Fred
said with lofty air; " all gentlemen smoke.
do not propose to be slave to him or any
other man."
He called in at his uncles Office on the
way and procured letter of recommends
| ton. Thus equipped, he felt confident of
success.
Just behind him there walked with brisk
step boy of fifteen, year or two younger
than himself. This was David Gregg He
too had seen the advertisement, and was on
the way that very minute to $50 Washington
street. He was the eldest of family of
children whose father had died at the be-
ginning of this long winter. David had
tried hard to find employment, had improved
every moment in doing odd jobs for any
body, had studied the papers aud answered
advertisements until he was well nigh dis
couraged. The places were sure to be filled
by persons who had influential friends; he
had none, for his father had removed to the
city from the country only short time be-
fore his death, and now, more because he
applied for everything he heard of than
from any hope of success, he had risen very
early that morning, made the fire, and while
his mother was preparing breakfast put him
self in the neatest possible order to 60 to
Mitchell & Tyler's.
When he appeared at the breakfast table
looking so bright and neat, his mother
thought he was son to be proud of, the
handsomest boy in the whole city, yet his
face was homely as far as beauty of fea-
lures was concerned; his clothes were
coarse, and he had no fancy necktie, no
flashing pin, or gold cuff buttons like the
elegant young gentleman who now walked
before him.
What was the reason that among the large
number of boys who filed in and out of
Mitchell & Tyler's private office no one of
them had yet been selected to fill the vacant
clerkship2 Mr.. Mitchell, the senior part
uer of the firm, had asked some plain,
straightforward questions of them,-"Where
do you spend your evenings 7" "D) you
play cards, 60 to the theater ? "" ETC.; for
Mr.. Mitchell had declared to his partner,
"If there is boy in the world who has
good habits, and right principles, Pm going
to hunt him up if it takes all winter" so it
turned out that many of the boys could not
give satisfactory answers to the searching
questions, and others, when Mr.. Mitchell
sounded their knowledge of figures, were
not ready reckoners.
They came and went for one whole day
and as soon as the door was opened the next
morning candidates came fockiug in like
birds.
And now it was Fred Barker's turn. He
stood before Mr.. Mitchell, his hat on hi;
head, his cigar removed from his mouth, il
is true, but the smoke thereof curling up
wards into the merchants face. He pre-
scented his letter of introduction. Mr.
| OH d fa est a
0 Meanwhile his practical eye was taking il
all in,-the cigar, the imitation diamond
the large seal ring, the flashing necktie. He
knew in twinkling where Fred Barker
!; probably spent his evenings, and that il
would take more money to indulge his tastes
than he could honestly earn.
To Fred's establishment he presently
heard, al do not think, young man, that
you are Just the one we have in mind fol
this" Then before he knew it he was
bowed out.
The next boy who was admitted did moi
advance with such an over-oonfdent air. He
held his hat in his hand and spoke in q
modest, respectful manner.
Have you any recommendation ?"
"No sir, have none," David answered, {
little decidedly. ave have not been long
in the city"
"Well you need none, if can trust my
eyes," Mr.. Mitchell remarked to himself
The bright, frank face and the manly air o
the boy impressed him most favorably; hi
was still more pleased when he drew hin
into conversation and learned what book
he was fond of, and how he was going OIL
with his studies evenings, although he ha'
been obliged to leave the high school an'
a earn his own living.
= Mr. Mitnhell had very sharp ewes he tool
note of the well-brushed garments, the shin
ing boots, the snowy collar and cuffs, tn
p delicately clean finger nails-even by sucl
g small things as these is character read-an,
II above all, the look of sincerity aud honest.
2 shining from the blue eyes,
. DWELL, David" Mr. Mitchell said as h
!, got up and walked backward and forth,
% "what if | were to tell you that you ca
70 have the situation providing you will wor
% a part of every Sabbath 7"
30 1t was most cruel test The boy hes
\ tated-just a moment-then be said, Will
q his color rose and his voice choked, I"
should say, sir, that cannot accept it,
"Not even when your mother needs none
SO badly ?"
"No sir, my mother would not use none
80 earned. She has always taught me I
obey God and trust him, come what will"
"1hst has the true ring, pure gold, sal
Mr.. Mitchell, bringing his hand down o
Is David's shoulder. "My dear boy, | war
IS you, and do not want you to do any wor
for me on the Sabbath. | will pay you te
dollars more month than the last clerk r.
ceived, because am glad to find one boy OF
of a hundred who remembers his mother
q, teachings, and fears to disobey his Lords
y Selected.