The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-10-14
Children s Gnlnmu.
Nothing to Learn.
A SHOP BOYS STORY.

GERS shop, when he took me on one side,
and said: Now mind, John, don't be
ashamed to say you don't know, if the
master asks you anything you do not I'M
derstand. Remember, we all have to
learn.
l listened most impatiently to what
then considered this unnecessary caution,
regarding him as foolish man, who did
not know how to get on in the world so,
having formed my own ideas of what was
right, walked into the shop and inquired
for Mr.. Harris, whom | at once took kind
ly to; he looked good tempered-any-
thing but bully-so having no fear,
said all l could to induce him to give me
trial, greatly exaggerating my capa-
bilities, thereby impressing him with
false notion of what [ could do. l saw
sidered himself lucky man to get such
aclever lad, adding sixpence per week on
the wages he had paid my predece, sor.
just as L was leaving the shop, was sur
prised to see chum of mine Ga sheepish
looking fellow enter, asking to see the
master. l passed close by him, observ-
ing in an undertone, You're too late
I've got the place" You cant take,
both places, he replied. AS this was the
first had heard of two boys beng re-
CURED, l said no more; my thoughts,
however, were very busy on my way
home.
Somehow, the fact of this second berth
rather put damper on my spirits. Was
it equal? Was it better were questions
rushing through my brain.
My doubts were soon solved. On the
following Monday we met again. A few
words passed between us, when discov-
cred, to my chagrin, that Tom was a
second interview in the first he had been
questioned, as l was, with the result that
he did not know town well could not
make up neat parcels ;" nor could he
drive a horse and cart if required, so was
put into the desk to take the cash, with
two shillings per week more than [ was
to have.
1t seems our schoolmaster had recon.
mended US both, leaving it to Mr.. Harris
to find out which was most fitted for the
rough work; so this was all the good
had done by soorning my father advice.
Of course, it was soon discovered that l
knew no more of neat parcel making than
Tom did, and as to knowing my way
about town, it took me half my time max
ing inquiry, besides being often sent
wrong, so that [ was always getting bull.
lied by the men for being so long gone.
Didn't [ envy Tom, that's all While
I was tagging about with heavy parcels,
feeling too tired to keep about in the hot
sun OF July, he was perched up in his
desk, taking money, giving change, look
ing as cool and comfortable as possible.
This comes of knowing too much,
said [ to myself Father was right,
after all" No complaint ever dropped
from my lips at home, however, not
wishing him to know how foolishly had
acted.
Time passed on had settled down to
the life of a drudge my hand had grown
hard and horny, while Tom seemed get
ting more smart every day. A coolness
grew up between us. He looked down
on me, while sneered at his gentilty |
at the same time l would have given any
thing possessed to have changed places
with him. One day the master called
me into his private room, and told me
that he feared I should have a very hard |
day on the morrow, as the man who u.s.
ually de ivered a large portion of the |
goods by driving a cart was i'll, conse-
quently l should have to carry them all |
and to do SO must be there an hour at
least earlier.
Dreading the extra toll, I asked if
might use his cart.
But you cannot drive, I fear" re-
piled the master, who reminded me that
I had failed in all the things had told
him 1 could do
He therefore presumed knew no more |
Of driving than l had known of parcel |
making or finding my way about. was
greatly tempted to tell lie and declare
I was used to driving, but learning from
the past how useless it was to pretend |
any more knowledge Of anything, replied
that had never learned to drive, but
was willing to try.
No, no, he replied parcels can be
re-done up, the delivery can be done even
when lot of time has been lost but who |
is to mend my poor horses legs and re-
pair the cart, besides perhaps having to
pay for one you might run into
This so provoked my Indignation, that
/ hastily gave notice TO leave, being
heartily tired of my hard work don
think my services were very highly
valued for I was not asked to stay and
before leaving / had the modification Of Il
seeing Tom raised TO a pOeition ae clerk |