The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-04-05
Hop less.

That boy was bound to get into
trouble sooner or latter" said a sad look
ing old gentleman, entering the city
editors room.
What s that?" asked the city editor
looking up from apple OF copy on the
desk in front of him.
u say that miserable son of mine has
just put himself into pretty box, said
the old gentleman, removing his glasses,
and looking dreamily out of the win
dow.
"What can we do for you?' asked the
editor.
"Well, you see, | know you editors
are pretty thoroughly posted on about
everything, and you might be able to
help me out. AT present | cant see
any way to get the miserable little
wretch out of his trouble. Iou see,
he's Just the age. so that | really
should have nothing to do with him, !
suppose, but blood is thicker than
water"
"Was he in bank?" asked the editor.
"No," said the old gentleman. "Woise
than that. I've always brought that
boy to look out for number one, and now
he's gone and thrown away all my good
training. If he'd only struck big
Doodle and got out l shouldn't so much
have cared, but he acted so like a
blamed ass in the matter. He's up to
his ears in trouble and not a cent to show
for it. Think of the feelings of an
American fnther with such son as
that"
but can we help you?" asked the
editor. estate your case"
well, you see, the miserable little
creature has been tending bar for the
past year. Now, think of that. Tend
ing bar for a whole year and not able to
pay his way over the ferry to-day. tell
you that son of mine is disgustingly hon
est and think of the education l have
given him Well, now he is bounced,
and for what? Why, Just for giving away
the whole racket of his employer. Tell.
ing how all the drinks are poisoned, and
letting out all the little secrets Of the
trade"
THAT is rough" said the editor, smil
ing.
Trough Well, l should say SO,
said the old gentleman; Il told that boy
when he started in business that We live
in progressive age. Catch on, said L.
If you can't catch on straight. you Just
catch on any way, but don't get left if
you are obliged to bring my gray hairs
in sorrow to the grave to avoid it Then
I started him in where he could put my
advice to the best use. Made u barkeep-
er out Of him. Told him that it would
be his own fault if he wasn't an alder
man inside of two years, and that Id
~ RI hA,Inpp his
ployer and open on his own account. HIS
prospects couldn't have been brighter.
Hardly" said the editor, smiling sar-
casticall.
Eyes, sir, l thought he was a chip of
the old block" said the old gentleman,
signing, "but he has disgraced his fam
lily, He is as honest as any old woman
you could pick out in days walk. Why
didn't he pitch right in and be some
thing, instead of panning out worse than
a country parish?"
Give it up" said the editor.
"He might have run four or five
saloons and held respectable position
in society, if he'd only had the push and
60 l had in my youth. But no; he is
just hopeless y honest, and he II lar | in
the poor house in spite of anything | can
do for him"
A very sail case" said the editor.
"If man can't make his way behind
a bar he might as we'll give up the tigh.
at once, say"
"You are about right" SAID the edi-
tor.
Now, what would you advise me to
do with him." asked the old gentleman.
"Send him to Washington" said the
editor, taking up his pen. Washington
air has been known to cure the worst
cases of honesty on record
III do it," said the old gentleman,
rising. Perhaps there may be show
for the poor idiot yet" and he walked
slowly out of the office, swinging casual
" back and forward the editors new 50
90, Lrnlla - Rrnok lyn Earla