Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-08
HIS DUTY.
He Faithfully Performed It Under
Trying Circumstances.

He Faithfully Performed It Under
Trying Circumstances.
Mr. Wagner was superintendent of
the great Bessemer Steel Works in
Pennsylvania One morning, about
ten years ago. a young man came into
his Office whom he recognized as
Richard Ogden. assistant book-keeper
in q Philadelphia importing firm. Mr..
Wagner shook hands with him hearth
ly. He had known Ogden since he
was boy. and liked him thoroughly.
He was keen-eyed, doggedly honest
fellow. and, unlike most young men.
always hard at work. He had married
lately. too. Mr.. Wagner had been at
his little house and seen the wife and
baby.
"Hillo. Ogden! How came you here?
In the busy season. too?"
ut is not busy for me, SIR" said
Ogden. gravely; Il am discharged.
The firm. like all other Philadelphia
firms, found it necessary to lessen ex-
penses, and discharged onc-fourth of
their men. Twas the youngest book
keeper. and had to 60. of course"
THAT is bad-bad." lit was in the
days when the hard times were
hardcst) What are you going to do.
Richard?"
Il can find nothing to do in Phila-
delphia. There are twenty thousand
men there looking for work. 1 came
to ask you for it"
me? My dear boy. our book-keep-
ers have been with us for years!"
Richard laughed. IL did not come
to GUST them from their desks. Mr..
Wagner. l do not hope to get any
work for my head. l must put my
hands to it now. Is there no place in
the mill for me?"
among the hands? You do not
mean that, Ogden?"
Eyes. l do" coloring slightly. "A
man is man, no matter how he earns
his bread l can not afford to be idle
a week. With the wages which you
pay your puddlers or firemen. l can
support Mary and the boy in this
village, where living is so cheap. at
least until times mend"
Every we'll, my lad" said Mr.. Wag-
ner. after a moments hesitation, "you
are right I'll find place for you to.
morrow. BY the way. you used to
have good deal of knowledge of chem
istry. eh?''
Eyes. 1 thought of teaching it after
I left college"
Every good; I'll put you near Mr..
Ferris. He can probably give you a
few hints which may be useful-son Of
Judge Ferris. you know. Educated As
a mining engineer; but he has gone
into the works. like any poor lad. to
work his way to practical knowledge
of the business. He has charge of the
converter" he added. with a tone OF
respect, to which Ogden. never having
heard of the converter. listened with
indifference.
The next morning Ogden. in 9
.workmsn's clothes, presented himself
Mt the office. and Mr.. Wagner himself
took him into the mill and gave him
his work. introducing him to Mr.
Ferris in the tone which he would use
in speaking of an equal. The famil.
iariy was kindly meant but in
judicious.
who's that young cub old Wag
ner's making much OFF" said Jake
Crawford to the man at the coal heal
beside him.
dunno; one of his pets, reckon. >
Jake was one of the most drunken
and vicious men in the works. H,
scanned O,den's gentlemanly bearing
and white hands with . scowl of con
tempt. which changed to . positive
glare when Mr.. Wagner shook hand
with him, saving: Goodbye, M!
lad. and good luck!"
From that time Jake set down tn
young fellow as his enemy. whom b.
was bound to overturn- Ogden pres
entity noticed that this man shovet
him unnecessarily when he passed hin
in the throng. and swore at him un
der his breath. but, sulposing him =
be . drunken fellow. thought no NOR
about it His indifference bat en-
ragged Crawford tho more. Poo
Richard, whom he met ON Sunday
dressed like gentleman. going Wit
his wife to church. became in his eye
the embodiment Of the bloate
.aristocrat whom he hated 30 heartily
.Pn fix his lordship for hfe! b
said every day. and watched his chanc
10 do It. Ferris. on the contrary. Z
Mr.. Wagner had forseen. was attract
I'd to the young man. and gave hil
svork near - him. frequently expaail
ing The processes 70 him Ogden