The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-09-04
BENEATH HIM,
BY ELEANOR KIRK.

81 would starve first"
"Then starvel'
Uncle Adoniram Barney, as he was
called by all who knew him, had been
having n 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 he
would be sure to earn his living.
Charles was twenty-one, and his uncle
up to this time had assisted him in every
possible manner, but, strangely enough.
though possessed of fine intellect, care
fully cultivated, he had done nothing to
earn his own living. He had been un-
willing to study for Il profession, and at
this time had small prospect of obtaining
situation, and smaller prospect of keep
ing a position if he had found one.
''lf could only find where | 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 US well as | do that | am
utterly. lacking in mechanical ability"
''And the worst of all is, Charles, YOU
are utterly lacking in the quality of ap-
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 a good clerk or
a good bookkecper, and you could learn
a 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 could
under the circumstances, and whether you
follow it or not is your own affair"
Decidedly, said Charles, rising in
white heat. 81 always supposed you
cared something about me; but when
fellows's only relative, and that relative
rich man, advises him to look out for
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 90 on
supporting you; and taking into consider
alton your constant failures to support
yourself, | advise you to try for car con-
ductor's position. You viii 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 elsen
"Then you don't care for the humilia-
tion, the social ostracism, that will be
the inevitable results of such an occupa-
tion2" the young man inquired as he
nervously turned the knob of the door he
had just opened,
"Not red cent?" Uncle Adoniram re-
piled. II a 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 | 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. t'If | |
ever take relative to bring up, Uncle
Adoniram, / will be still more generous,
and refrain from twitting him with how
much he has cost me. Here is the money
you gave me yesterday, and which | was
mean enough to take, and the young
man emptied the financial contents of his
pockets on his uncle's desk. 'since you
have turned me out of doors, sir, / prefer
to go penniless. Good morning"