The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-06-26
Selected Storp.
A Boy Who was Wanted.

said Jack, as he came in to his mother,
hot, tired and dusty.
What is that?" she asked.
" That there are great many boys
in the world"
Didn't you know that before?"
" Partly, but | didn't know there
were so many more than are wanted"
What makes you think SOP"
Because I've been round and
round till Pm worn out trying to find
a place to work. Wherever go there
are more boys than places. Doesn't that
show that there are too many boys?"
" Not exactly" said his mother, with
a smile. :" 1t depends entirely upon
the kind of boy. A good boy is always
wanted somewhere"
Well, if I'm a good boy | wish
knew where I'm wanted"
Patience, patience, my boy. In
such great world as this is, with so
many places and so many boys, it is no
wonder that some of them do not find
their places at once. But be very
sure, dear" as she laid caressing hand
on his arm, "that every boy who wants
a chance to do fair, honest work will
find it,"
That's the kind of work | want to
do" said Jack. 81 don't want any
body's money for nothing. Let me
see-what have got to Offer? All the
schooling and all the wits I've been able
to get up to thirteen years, good stout
hands and feet and civil tongue"
And mind and heart set on doing
faithful duty" suggested his mother.
=" hope so," said Jack. remem.
Der father used to say: Just as soon
as you undertake to work for any one
you must bear in mind that you have
sold yourself to him for the given time.
Your time, your strength, your energy
are his and your best efforts to seek
his interests in every way are his due y
The earnest tone in which the boy
spoke seemed to give assurance that he
would pay good heed to the words OF
the father whose counsels could nj
more reach him.
For two or three days longer Jack
had reason to hold to his opinion that
there were more boys than the world
wanted, at the end of which time ht
met with business man who, after
questioning him closely, said:
" There are a great many applica
tons for the place, but the greater
number of the boys come and stay fol-
a short time and then leave if they
think they can do little better. Wher
boy gets used to our routes and GU
customers we want him to stay. |
you will agree TO remain for at leas
three years we will pay you three dollar
week as errand boy"
THAT is just what l want to do
SIR" said Jack, eagerly. So he was in
stalled, and proud enough he was a
bringing his wages home every Satur
day night, and realizing that, small a
they were, the regular help was o
great value to his mother.
1t is not to be wondered at that tn
faithful carrying out of his fathers ad
monition after awhile attracted the at
tention not only of his employers, bu
of others with whom he was brough
into C. intact in the pursuit of his duties
One day he was asked into the offic
of Mr.. Lang, a gentleman to whom h
frequently carried parcels of value.
" Have you ever thought of changin
your situation?" asked Mr.. Lang.
No, SIR" said Jack.
" Perhaps you could do better" sal
the other. II want to get boy VIII
is quick and intelligent and who can b
relied on, and from what l see of 20
| think you are that sort of boy.
want you to drive delivery wagon, an
l will pay you five dollars week"
Jacks eyes opened wide.
Its wonderful good pay, sir, for
boy like me, I'm sure. But | prom
Used to keep ON with Mr. Hill for tire
years and the second year is only ju;
begun"
Well, have you signed a regula
agreement with NJ. Hip"
No, sir; | told him I'd stay"
- You have mother to assist, yo
told me. Couldn't you tell Mr.. Hi
that you feel obliged to do better whe
you have chance?"
8 | don't believe | could" said Jacl
looking with his straight, frank gas
into the gentleman's face. You Sc,
sir, if | broke my word to him
shouldn't be the kind of boy to be r.
lied on that you wanted"
J 81 guess you are about right" sal
Mr.. Lang, with laugh. "Come an
see me when your time is out; | dan
say | shall want you then"
Jack went home very much stirre
by what had been said to him. Aft
all, could it be wrong to go where /
could do so much better? Almo
double the wages! Was it not reall
his duty to his mother to obtain i
and to drive wagon instead of trud,
ing YEARLY along the streets? The
never had felt so hot and dusty as the
did just now when he might escaI
from the tiresome routine.
Might, but how? BY the sacrifice {
his pledged word. BY selling lis trut
and his honor. So strongly did the r
Election force itself upon him that whe
he told his mother OF the offer he ha
received he merely added
1T would be grand good thing
| could take it, wouldn't it, mother?"
eyes, it would"
"Some boys would change withol
thinking of letting promise stand
their way"
, eyes, but that is the kind of be
who, sooner or later, is not wanted.
is because you have not been that so
of boy that you are wanted now"