The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-16
The True Ring.

Wanted, clerk at $50 Washington
Street."
This was the advertisement that APP
peared in one of the morning papers of a
large city.
Many young fellow who had been
seeking 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 I saw in yesterdays paper that
Mitchell and Tyler want a clerk; that
will be the place above all others for you
It's a splendid store. OF course you can
get the place if you are not too late. You
can take letter from Uncle Horace his
influence and your appearance will settle
the matter. heard Mr. Mitchell was real
fussy about his clerks, but I'm sure he can
find nothing to object to in my handsome,
we'll dressed brother, and the elder sister
looked admiringly at Fred's fair face,
smooth locks, and we'll fitting suit
" Perhaps I'll call around there after
awhile" Fred said carelessly.
please hurry and go now, won't you ?"
his sister said m afraid somebody
has snatched up the place before this
time.
Fred finished his breakfast in leisure
ly way, put few extra 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.
Hell have to take me as I am, =" Fred
said with lofty air; all gentlemen
smoke. 1 do not propose to be a slave to
him or any other man"
He called in at his uncle's Office on the
way and procured letter ofrecommenda-
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 advertise
ment, 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 beginning
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 and an
swered advertisements until he was we'll
nigh discouraged. The places were sure
to be filled by persons who had inhuen-
tial friends he had none for his father
had removed to the city from the country
only short time before his death, and
now, more because he applied for every
THING he heard of than from anv hone 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 90 to
Mitchell and Tyler's.
When he appeared at the breakfast
table looking so bright and neat, his
mother thought he was a son to be proud
Of, the handsomest boy in the whole city
yet his face was actually homely as far
as beauty Of features was concerned his
clothes were coarse, and he had no fancy
neck-tie, no flashing pin, or goll cuff
buttons, like the elegant young gentle
man who now walked before him.
What was the reason that among the
large number of boys who fled in and
out Of Mitchell and Tyler's private office
no one Of them hadSet been selected to
fiji the vacant clerkship? Mr. Mitchell,
the senior partner Of the firm, had asked
some plain, straightforward questions Of
them" Where doyou spend your even
ings ?" Do you play cards, 60 to the
theatre p ETC.. for Mr.. Mitchell had
declared to his partner, If there is a