Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-11-29

cobbler-anything that is honest Trade
is uncertain. For one who succeeds
dozen are broke; you know not. any mo-
ment. but that you also may break. Your
fortune hangs upon hundred chances.
Alasl IL one of these fail. there n the
Fleet. or may be Newgate. or Marsha sea.
or Whitecross Street. or tho Kings
Bench. or the Clink-there are plenty of
places for the bestowal of poor debtors
for yourself. and for your wife and tnno-
cent children ruin and starvation"
"Yet. said Ralph. mr.. Hetherington
is not anxious.
He leaves anxiety" she replied Bit
terly. ito bis wife"
Then she became silent, and spoke no
more to the boy. but sat with her lips
working as one who conversed with her
self And from time to time she sighed
as " her heart was breaking
In the morning the merchant wts up
betimes, and began again upon the glories
of the city
cart still Of the same mind 2" he asked.
''Nvilt thou be like Wilmington and
Gresham and me. also one of those who
climb the tree?''
Then Ralph confessed with blush
which mattered nothing. so deep was the
rudy brown upon his cheek-that he
found city honors dearly bought at the
price of so much labor and confinement.
''Then. said his adviser. In less friend.
ly tones. what will you dor"
Ralph asked If there was nothing that
young man may do besides work at
trade or sit in shop.
"Why. truly. yes" Mr.. Hetherington
replied with severity; The may become
highwayman. and rob upon the road. tax.
ing their money from honest tradesmen
and poor fatmers--a gallant life indeed.
and so he viii presently hang in chains.
or be anatomical and set up In Surgeons
Hall. There is the end of your fresh air
for you"
But, with respect, SIR Ralph. per
sisted. -.limean In an honest way"
IF he is rich enough he may be scho-
lar of Cambridge. and so take orders. or
he may become physician. or q lawyer.
or schoolmaster. or surgeon. and go to
sea in his majesty's ships and lead dogs
life, or soldier and go a-fghting"-
Let me be soldier. cried the boy.
why. whyH But you must first get
his majesty's commission. and to get this
you must first beg for letters to my Lord
This and my Lord That, and dangle about
great houses. praying for their influence,
and bride the lackeys. and then perhaps
you'll never get your commission after
ALL"
This was discouraging.
Rolling stones. lad, said the great
merchant, gather no moss. Better stand
quiet behind the counter. sweep out the
shop. serve customers and keep accounts,
and perhaps some day be partner and
grow rich"
But Ralph hung his head.
Then how can help thee. foolish boy2
Yet, because knew thy father, and for
Drusy's sake Stay. would you go to
India?'
To Indiai Little, indeed. of the great
eoings in India reached the town Of Wark-
worth. Yet Ralph had heard the vicar
talking with Mr. Carnaby Of Col. Give
and the famous battle OF Plassy. To
lndial His eyes flashed.
Yes, sir; ] would willingly go to
India"
MY worthy friend. Mr.. Nathaniel Sill.
vertop. is in the service of the company
Come, let us seek his counsel"
They walked, the boy being much aston
ished at the crowd, the noise, and the
never ceasing business Of the streets.
down Cheapside. through the Poultry.
past the new Mansion house and the Royal
Exchange into Cornhill. where stands the
honorable East India company's house. q
plain. solid building. adorned with pillars
Of the doric order Mr.. Hetherington led
the way into great hall. where was al.
ready assembled crowd Of men who had
favors to ask of the directors, and finding
a servant he sent his name to Mr.. Silver
top.
Presently. for nothing was done In un-
dignified haste in this house. Mr.. Silver
top himself-a gentleman of three score
and of grave appearance-descended the
stairs To him Mr.. Hetherington unfolded
his business
Here, he said, was a young fellow from
Northumberland. heir to a small and
pretty estate. but incumbered for three or
four years to come with a guardian.
whose affection he appeared to have un
fortunately lost. so that it would be well
for both to remain apart: but he was a
young gentleman of rowing tastes. who
would fain see little of the world. and
but this he whispered-a brave and bold
fellow.
Mr.. Silvertop regarded the lad atten-
lively.
''Our writer's" he said solemnly. Ego
out on small salaries. They seldom rise
above e40O or $500 year at the most
Yet mark this. young gentleman-so
great are their chances in India that they
sometimes come home at 40. or even less.
with e100. 000-ay. 100000 Think upon
that. boy So great thing It Is to serve
this honorable company.
The boys eyes showed no emotion. A
| dull dog, indeed, he seemed to Mr. Silver
top, not to tremble at the mere mention OF
/ so vast sum
Leave him here. my good friend, said
Mr.. Silvertop Il have business. but
viii return and speak with him again. he
can walk in the hall and wait"
Mr.. Hetherington went his way and
Ralph waited
After an hour or so he saw Mr.. Silver
TOP coming down the stairs again. he