The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-28
ONE OF MANY.

Story of tho Man Who Comes to the Metropo-
lis to Conquer Fortune.
Special to the Indiana coils Journal.
NV YORK, Nov. 27.-I am haunted man.
No white robed specter perches on my bed-post
in melancholy contemplation of its pristine
abode; no ill-mannered spook shakes fistful of
clanking chains in my face. to remind me of along
past crime; but am haunted nevertheless My Wis
liant is a face. material and as yet firmly at
tached to body. / have seen it so often that
l begin to dread going abroad from fear of meet
ing 1t again. dread lest the next gust of wind
that opens the door may blow it In 1t surprises
me to look up and not be met by its gaze; and
live in constant expectation of seeing its refiec-
ton peering over my shoulder whenever l ap-
proach a mirror. This is how first met it:
One afternoon, few weeks ago, was sitting
in a bankers Office, when young man entered
briskly, and inquired if Mr.. x. was in. The
banker acknowledged his identity, whereupon
the young man presented a letter of introduc-
ton from somebody in a distant State. Mr.. x.
read the letter slowly, and, inviting the young
man to be seated, waited for him to state his
business.
II have come to New York, he said, "to stay.
1t seems to me that there is wide field here for
a young mans energies, greater prospects for
success, and more liberal reward for endeavor
than elsewhere in the country. | should con-
slider it great favor if you would suggest what
step had better take to secure foothold some
where"
what can you dow said x.
81 have been teller in a bank, and bring
coy nd 1attarc from nresHaut and
cashier. l have had some experience CORE
spondence clerk, and while in the bank devoted
my leisure to the study of stenoeraphy, in which
have become reasonably proficient. I am not
particular what kind Of position I get for the
start, for believe in myself enough to think
that can rise"
Him." murmured x, gravely; II should be
glad to give you opportunity to try your pow
ers here If there were any sort of opening: but
there isn't the slightest chance. l am afraid
you will find every house in the city equally
full"
Everybody has to Get start sometime" re-
sponded the young man, sturdily; Il am willing
to take my chance with the rest. AS said,
came to stay"
well" said the banker, ''once get your start,
and if you are worth what you think you are,
you will get on"
He then gave the young man several addresses,
with suggestions that he call upon them in the
search for employment The would-be con-
querer withdrew as happy, apparently, as if he
had been offered lucrative situation. Two days
later l met him on the street. He recognized
me, and bowed. ''What luck2" / asked.
Il haven't obtained anything definite yet" he
replied; II called on all the people Mr.. x. sug-
gested, but there were no vacancies New York
seems to be pretty full of people, but there must
be something here for me, and propose to find
it,"
''Have you any capital to wait n9"
NAL "a 11nA : &c
age yet and shan't until my money is all gone"
A week passed and saw him again. | was in
company with merchant who called my atten-
tion to the young man.
There he said, SIS moth for whom New
York is the candle; a navigator for whom New
York is the Loreiie; prospector for whom New
York is the Ell Dorado. He is, furthe rmore, one
of great class. They drift into this city by
the score every day. This one applied to me for
work yesterday he is going to own the town in
year or two"
''Did you give him place2"
mo; we are overcrowded with men and appli-
cations"
The next time saw the young man, who had
by this time begun to seem ghostly attendant
upon my walks, he was seated on bench in the
City Hall Park. Another time / saw him stand
ing irresolutely at the corner of Broadway and
Wall street have not been able to avoid him.
1t is only too evident every time see him that
he mas not yet struck employment Yesterday
the face of him who had come to stay. to con-
quer, stared at me out Of a bar-room window.
This is no temperance lecture; do not think he
had been drinking; it was cold and raw out Of
doors, and near the window. where the young
man stood, was a radiator. He did not recog-
nize me. There was far-away expression in
his eyes, as if he were looking at bank in
country village where, pen in hand a young
man with energy and ambition was receiving
and noting deposits from rustic capitalists
One of mighty class. This particular face
I may escape The young man may trudge back
to his home; he may try another city, and, yes,
he may find situation. But if not his face,
am likely to see the face of another of his class
haunting me in the alleys of poverty and dis
tress; peering even from Tombs cell; aye, star
ing up at me from the icy water of the river.
F. r. BURTON.