Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-01-31
The Boy who Hadn't Half a Chance.

door, reused himself at the boys words.
"Not going to school, eh2 How long
since you came to be your own master II
that's the way you appreciate your priv
leges, it's high time you lost them. Might
as well stop school, any way; you don't
learn nothing"
Reckon could if had half chance"
said the boy, looking disconsolately at his
rags.
al haven't another patch left to mend
your clothes WITH said his mother sadly.
90 it isn't your fault no one blames
you, mother" said Ralph quickly.
al 'spose that means that am to blame
for everything that oughtn't to be. A boy
of thirteen ought to be able to earn himself
suit Of clothes, TO say nothing of his bread
and butter"
Lots of good il would do me to earn
anything" muttered Ralph sullenly. Usu-
ally he would not have dared TO say so much
in his fathers presence, but this morning
he hardly cared what he did or what might
follow. Usually, too, he would have paid
dearly for such a speech; but now Mr.. Al
len only said
"You're an impudent young rascal; but
seeing haven't done as well by you as !
might, III make bargain with you. Every
cent you can earn you may have, but not
bite to eat nor a rag to wear, besides. Do
you understand Now be off, and see what
you're worth.
"All right" answered Ralph, picking up
his ragged hat.
"You won't go out of town." said his
mother anxiously, as he passed out.
"No, not without letting you know" he
answered from outside the gate. From sim
pie force of habit, and without any definite
purpose, he took the road to the schoolhouse,
and found himself at the door just as the
noisy troop were entering. Might as well
go in, too" he said to himself and he did.
But his books remained unopened, and
when his class was called he sat still in his
seat. His teacher was sure from his look
that he was sick or in trouble, and knowing
something about his home life, thought best
to pay no attention at the time. At recess
however, she went and sat down beside him
"No lessons to day, Ralph ?" she asked
pleasantly.
"Not coming to school any more"
"Why, how il that 2"
"Got to earn my own living"
90, work, is it Well, that's not a bad
excuse for leaving school. What are you
going to do ?"
" That's what I've got to find out. Don't
know yet"
"Then the first thing is, What can you
do 2"
"Not much of anything; never had half
a chance to learn" and he looked obviously
at Louie Hatten, who was passing through
the room-a boy of his own age, well
dressed and well fed, well furnished with all
a schoolboy could ask. Miss Lee followed
the direction of his glance.
"Why, Ralph" she said, al think you
have better chance than Louie for making
a man of yourself"
"Don't see how that can be-
"Can you swim ?" Ralph looked up
very much astonished. He was an expert
swimmer, but he did not see how that would
help him in trying to make something Of
himself.
81 can that" he answered emphatically.
"Did you learn by having some one hold
on to you all the time keeping you out of
deep water ?"
"Guess fellow wouldn't learn much that
way. Had to go it myself"
"Then why isn't it better to go it your
self, in other things? Haven't you bet
ter chance than a boy who has everything
done for him, who is always, SO far as
possible, kept out of danger-never allowed
to make effort enough in any direction to
tire him."
"Never thought of that BEFORE" said
Ralph And while he thought of it, his
teacher thought of something else.
"Will you carry a note to Mr. Scott for
me 2" she asked.
"Yes'm," answered Ralph promptly. He
had carried notes before, and had pleasant
remembrance of bright nickels and brighter
dimes that found their way into his pockets
on these occasions. So the note was writ
ten and carried, and while Mr. Scott read
it, Ralph looked earnestly out of the win
dow at huge pile of coal on the sidewalk.
Young man" said the trustee suddenly,
making Ralph start, do you know the con-
tents of this note 2"
No sir" said Ralph truthfully.
"Your teacher tells me you are in want
of work, and recommends you for the vacant
place of janitor in the Holly street building
Do you think you could manage to keep
those rooms swept and busted, to have them
warm by school.time, and see that every
shing is in order at night 7"
I'D like to try it, said Ralph.
And be responsible for everything that's
broken or stolen p The boys face length
ened.
"S'pose there's keys?"
"Plenty of them.'
"Reckon if l locked up and left every
thing straight, and burglars broke in,
'twouldn't be any of my lookout"
How long do you suppose you will stick
to it ?"
"Likely till find better work"
"Well, sir, we will try you. Miss Lee Of
fers to give you directions" and he scratched
off reply. Ralph took it, and hesitating
little, asked the question of all-importance
TO him:
I" How much will | get Z"
1.-TWO dollars week through the fall and
winter, and one through the warm weather.
Does that suit you ?"
" Yes, sir; much obliged, How often will
get paid ?"
"We generally pay once month, but if
you need the money, we can let you have it
every Saturday for awhile"
"Thank ye," said Ralph; but there were
five days before Saturday, and he was hun.
cry already.
"Want your coal put somewhere ?" he
asked after moments pause.
"Well, it is rather out of place on the
sidewalk. Would you like the Job ?"
"Yes, sir; would that"
Very well deliver your note, and then
come back and go to work." and the boy
lost no time.
As he handed the answer to Miss Lee, he
told her of the waiting coal pile.
"That's good Beginning" she said
smiling, "and this will do for starting
capital and she laid in his hand, not a
nickel, not dime, but shining half dol
lar. :" And this" she continued, covering
the coin with dainty card, lis motto to
help you along"
On the card Ralph read God helps the
man who helps himself" The boy looked,
rather than spoke, his thanks, but he did
say 4" If I'm ever Of any account, Miss Lee,
it will all be owing to you.
A loaf of brown bread and a slice of
cheese took ten cents from the precious half
dollar but it gave the boy strength to handle
a shovel well, and when he went TO the
schoolhouse to learn his new line of duty,
another half dollar jingled with the four
dimes in his pocket. How rich he felt as
he went down the street to lay out part of
his wealth in something for the table at
home. A peck of corn meal, a good-sized
soup bone, another loaf of bread, larger
this time, and pint of milk in a fivecent
bucket, and still there was money in his
pocket. "Mush and milk for supper, bread
and soup for dinner tomorrow, Hurrah
Believe have chance, after ALL"
That was the beginning. Ralph is man
now, prosperous and respected. His mother,
hopeful aud happy, looks after the pleasant
home of her sons providing his father,
Quiet and sober, makes the little garden