News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1883-03-01
denly, making Ralph start, "do you
know the contents of this note ?"
aaNn sir. >, snid Rnlnh t1rnthfnlly

denly, making Ralph start, "do you
know the contents of this note -
''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 everything is in order
at night ?"
''Td like to try, said Ralph.
"And be responsible for everything
that is broken or stolen?" the boys face
heightened
"S'pose there's keys? p
"P'enty of them"
Reckon if Hooked up and left every
thing straight and burglars broke in, ii
wouldn't be any of my lookout"
Chow long do you suppose you will
stick to it ?"
Likely till find better work. "
"Well, sir. we will try you. Miss Lee
offers to give you directions" and he
hurriedly scratched off a reply. Ralph
took it, and hesitating a little, asked the
question of all Importance to him:
How much will I get?"
"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 L get paid?'
eve generally pay once q month, but
ifyou need the money, We can let you
have it every Saturday for while"
"Thank ye," said Ralph; but there
were five days before Saturday, and he
was hungry already.
''Want your coal put somewheres ?" he
asked after moments pause.
"Well, it is rather out of place on the
sidewalk. Would you like the job?"
Eyes, 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
dollar. ''And this" she continued.
covering the coin with a dainty card, " is
a 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, eff I'm ever of any ac-
count, Miss Lee, it will all be owing to
you"
A loaf of brown bread and 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 school house to learn his
new round of duty, another half dollar
iingled with the four dimes in his pocket.
How rich he felt as he went down the
street to lay out part of hi wealth i'll
something for the table at home. A
peck of cornmeal, a good-sized soup
bone, another loaf of bread, larger this
time, and a pint of milk in fve-cent
bucket. "Mush and milk for supper,
bread and soup for dinner tomorrow.
Hurrah Believe I have a chance after
all"
That was the beginning Ralph is
man now, prosperous and respected.
His mother, hopeful ard happy, looks
after the pleasant home, of her sons
providing; his father, quiet and sober,
makes the little garden spot bring forth
its best for the always well-flled table,
and over the manteI in Ralph's own
room hangs IN a tasteful frame the
motto that has directed and encouraged
his efforts since the morning when he
discovered wherein lay his chance for
making a man of himself.-Bapti8t
E09lljI3 N0O0zjDP