The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-08-15
BENEATH HIM.
BY ELEANOR KIRK.

Uncle Adoniram Barney, as he was
called by all who knew him, had been
having serious conversation with his
nephew Charles. Charles had lost his
temper entirely, and Uncle Adoniram had
at last reached the utmost limit of for.
bearance. The question under discussion
was the advisability of the young mans
seeking some occupation in which be
would be sure to earn his living.
Charles was twenty one, and his uncle
up to this time had assisted him in ever,
possible manner, but, strangely enough
though possessed of a fine intellect, care.
fully cultivated, he had done nothing tc
earn his own living. He had been I'M
willing to study for profession, and at
this time had small prospect Of obtaining
situation, and smaller prospect of keep
ing position if he had found one.
eff could only find where I belong
Charles began again. He had cooled
down little, and was disposed to argue
the point trihe further. 81 can never
make a good clerk or bookkeeper, and
you know as well as I do, that 1 am
utterly lacking in mechanical ability"
'And the worst of all is, Charles, you
are utterly lacking in the quality of APP
plication," Uncle Adoniram replied.
"You talk about your lacks as If they
were something to be proud Of If you
have got fair common sense and fair
education you can make good clerk OF
good bookkeeper, and you could learn
O trade if you wanted to. 1t is all bosh,
every bit of it, and now that you have
come to mans estate you ought to be
ashamed of such childish balderdash. |
have given you the best advice l could
under the circumstances, and whether you
follow it or not is your own affair"
Decidedly" said Charles, rising in 4
white heat. ~ always supposed you
cared something about me; but when q
fellows's only relative, and that relative a
rich man, advises him to look out for a
situation as car conductor, there can GER
tainly be but one opinion about it,"
"You are right, Charles" said Uncle
Adoniram, "there can be but one opinion.
l decline for your own good, to 60 on
supporting you; and taking into consider
alton your constant failures to support
yourself, advise you to try for a car con-
ductor's position. You will learn to be
accurate and attentive. You will know
what it is to work for your bread and
this, In my OPINION, you need to know
more than anything else"
''Then you don't care for the humilia-
ton, the social ostracism, that will be
the inevitable results of such an occupa-
ton" the young man inquired as he
nervously turned the knob of the door he
bad just opened.
''Not red cent?" Uncle Adoniram re-
piled. If man is going to be cut by
his friends for earning in the only way
that is open to him an independent liv-
ing, then social ostracism is the healthiest
thing that l can think of. The only thing
that should humiliate an able bodied man
is dependence upon Others You have
become so accustomed, Charles to being
looked out for, that the alternative seems
very undesirable to YOU"
This was ''putting it hard," as Uncle
Adoniram told himself afterwards; but the
case was desperate and heroic treatment
the only kind that would answer. "Your
charity shall not be further trespassed
upon," was the proud answer. eff I
ever take relative to bring up, Uncle
Adoniram, will be still more generous,
and refrain from INVITING him with how
much he has cost me. Here is the money
you gave me yesterday, and which I was
mean enough to take, /" and the young
man emptied the financial contents of his
pockets on his uncle's desk tSince you
have turned me out of doors, sir, prefer
to go penniless. Good morning."
Uncle Adoniram was on the point of
calling his nephew back, but thought
better of it and sat perfectly quiet as the
angry man slammed the door and walked
down the street.
"There was good deal of temper
about that last performance, said Uncle
Adoniram, shut there was some honest
pride as well. don't just see how the
boy is going to get along without money;
put suppose he won't starve as long as
bis watch lasts"
The old man was right. Charles
pawned the watch which had been left
him by his father, and then searched dill
igently for job. He left nothing un-
done to secure what he considered a
suitable situation, but his efforts were
useless. There was call for mechanics
and employment enough for professional
men, but for him there was absolutely
nothing.
There were hundred clerks and book
keepers to one situation, gentleman to
whom he applied told him, and with
touch of pity for the evident discourage
ment of his applicant asked him few
sensible questions.
Snow if you understood stenography,"
he said, after careful catechism, 81
could show you some court work which
would be very remunerative.