Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-10-01

it," >.-.s..S.,,ss -
"But when . man once takes q position
Charles began, in feeble remonstrance, his
face still scarlet. -.,s o.
HE is always obliged to keep it, YOU
were going to say" the gentleman inter-
rupted. THAT is stun and nonsense. II
you have the right pluck and ambition and
application you can make your Job q tenn
porary affair, bridge across stream;
and il you are above accepting such po-
sitiou, or too indolent and unambitious to
work into something better if you do accept
it, then you are not worth saving" and
with this the gentleman turned away.
Charles had twenty-five cents of the
watch money left in his pocket. This was
the sum total of his earthly possessions.
The way in which this gentleman looked
upon the pride which made him hesitate
about accepting the position Of car-con-
ductor seemed the expression Of all busi-
ness men from his uncle to the present one.
"Well what do you sayt" the gentleman
inquired, returning moment to speak to
him.
"If you will show me how to secure the
situation you spoke Of" Charles replied,
with lip which would quiver little in
spite of all he could do, 81 will 20 lmmedi-
ately and see about it,"
'Good for your' said his companion. 81
will go with you," and the rich merchant
passed his arm through that of his strug-
Cling, poverty-sti icken companion, and in
this way they sought the office of the great
railroad company. A few brief words and
the ugly business was settled. The young
man would take his place the next morning
at six o'clock, with small but sufficient
salary. K. 49, ---,.-.e
IT H. - 4 q,
the gentleman told Charles as they were
about to part, "and if you will step around
to the house with me should be happy to
lend you the books. My daughter studied
stenography for fun. 1t took her one year
to learn the system by studying a little
every day. You ought to be able to beat q
girl at the business"
Charles smiled. Application That was
what his uncle said he needed more thar
any other quality. Should he take this mans
books and promise him to spend his spare
time in the study of stenographya How
strangely his affairs were being taken out
Of his hands. The young man had always
believed that the great business of the uni
verse was taken care of, but this was the
first time he had ever felt that his small af-
fairs were in any way managed or directed.
Eow it seemed to him as if his ways were
in some incomprehensible manner being
ordered.
OF course there was neither generosity
nor justice In the matter, and every thing
was all wrong; still some power outside of
himself was responsible, and he wondered,
as he looked over the strange characters
that evening in the book his new friend
had lent him, which struggling mark his
life was like. They all meant something,
hot lattars
some phrases, but the zigzag character
which stood for him would doubtless be
the one of smallest account. 1t might be an
Interrogation point, he thought; surely no
one asked more questions or received less
answers.
He had had one meal that day. His re-
naming twenty-five cents must be saved
for breakfast the next morning How he
was to manage for full week without any
money was a physical and mathematical
problem which he was not equal to.
"Suficient unto the day" and "Think not
Of the morrow" were the last words on his
lips before going to sleep; and they were
repeated with so much reverence and such
evident desire to get hold of the faith
which was dimly dawning upon him, that
his good angel must have felt comforted.
Promptly at six the next morning the
young man took his place on his car. The
first thing to do was to sweep 1t out.
Charles Barney had never handled a
broom in his life, but he gave his mind to
the work, and succeeded in appearing much
less awkward than he felt. There was
good deal to learn, indeed, much more than
he supposed, but he listened to the numer-
GUS instructions with attention, and his
new work commenced.
1t was not quite as dreadful as he sup
posed. Still, it was distasteful enough,
and the poor fellow wondered If he should
ever get used to it At noon, on his return
to the car station, he found letter from his
new friend with an inclosure OF five dollars.
81 had an impression" it said, "that you
were entirely out of money. l tried once
when was about your age to live without
eating. 1t didn't work. l am sure it won't
work in your case. Come in and see me
some time when you have leisure. Keep
up your courage and stick to your stenog-
raphy."
Only an hour could be given to study in
the first twenty-tour hours of his new life
but this time was a refreshment instead OF
a drag, and when he put away his book Tor
the sleep he must have, 1t was with real re-
luctance. ....s ....--f-
He had been employed about two months
when one morning Oncle Auohitaii ePpo'
on his car. His first impulse was to pull his
hat down over his eyes and avoid recogni'
tion if possible, but Charles Barney was
learning manliness as well as application
and he Immediately thought better OF IT,
The old man did not look up when his
nephew gave him his change; but Charles
said, softly: s'Good morning, uncle" anc
then he sprang to his feet
"Charlesr' he exclaimed, grasping the
conductors hand. "Charles, my boy, no"
do you dot"
There was abundant love and heartines'
in Uncle Adoniram's voice and manner, anC
there was something more that was new U
Charles. He knew now that for the mrs
time his uncle really respected him, and ou
of this stronger courage was born.
81 have been very lonely without you
the old man said, as he stood on the oaci
platform with his nephew, sand i hav'
been worried about you, too. why haV'
YOU not been home, Charles"
"Because wanted to see il / was reall!
going TO keep my position" the young maj
answered, land because, uncle, l wante'
10 rid myself of all feeling Of Illumination
before saw you again"