The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-09-04


better of it and sat perfectly quiet as the
angry man slammed the door and walked
down the street.
"TEsre was a good deal of temper
about that last performance, " said Uncle
Adoniram, "but there was some honest
pride as well. l don't Just see how the
boy is going to get along without money;
but / suppose he won't starve as long as
his 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 a 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 a
touch of pity for the evident discourage
ment of his applicant asked him a few
sensible questions.
''Now if you understood stenography, :"
he said, after careful catechism, 'I
could show you some court work which
would be very remunerative.
Charles shook his head His expert
ences were beginning to make him feel
very small.
81 should be glad to help you," the
gentleman went on kindly, "but really
don't see any way to do it. / know of a
position you could have at once as car
conductor, but"
The young mans face was ablaze, and
his eyes looked as if they would strike
fire. "But whatl" he asked, as his COM
panion did not finish the sentence.
"If you were relative of mine" the
gentleman replied, 'and had tried for
other positions and failed as you tell me
you have, l should say, put your pride in
your pocket and buckle to it. 1 should
tell you also to make use of every spare
moment, and study stenography, as if
your life depended upon it."
''But when man once takes such a
position" Charles began in feeble re-
monstrance, his face still scarlet.
"He is always obliged to keep it, you
were going to say" the gentleman inter-
rupted. "That is stuff and nonsense.
If you have the right pluck and ambition,
and application, you can make your job
a temporary affair, bridge across a
stream; and if you are above accepting
such position, or too indolenu and un-
ambitious to work into something better
if you do accept it, then you are not
worth saving" and with this the gentle
man turned away.
Charles had twenty-five cents of the
watch money left in his pocket This
was the sum total of his earthly posses
sions. The way in which this gentleman
looked upon the pride which made him
hesitate about accepting the position of
csr conductor seemed the expression of
all business men from his uncle to the
present one.
"Well, what do you sayl" the gentle
man inquired, returning q moment to
speak to him.
''If you will show me how to secure
the situation you spoke Of" Charles re-
piled, with lip which would quiver
go Immediately and see about it.
"Good for you'll" said his companion.
81 will go with you," and the rich
merchant passed his arm through that of
his struggling, poverty stricken COM
panion, 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.
81 have the best works on shorthand"
the gentleman told Charles as they were
about to part; sand if you will step
round to the house with me / should be
happy to lend you the books. My daugh-
ter studied stenography for fun. 1t took
her one year to learn the system, by study
ing little every day. You ought to be
able to beat girl at the business"
Charles smiled. Application That
was what his uncle said he needed more
than any other qualification. Should he
take this mans books, and promise him
to spend his spare time in the study of
How strangely his affairs
were being taken out of his hands. The
young man had always believed that the
great business Of the universe was taken
care of, but this was the first time that
he had ever felt that his small affairs
were in any way managed or directed.
Now it seemed to him as if his ways were
in some incopprehensible manner being
ordered.
OF course, there was neither generosity
nor justi0-in the matter, and everything
was all wrong; still some power outside
of himself was responsible, and he won
dered, as he looked over the strange
characters that evening in the book his
new friend had lent him, which strag-
Cling mark his life was like. They all
meant something, that was one comfort
some letters, some phrases; but the
lag 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 one meal that day. His remain
ing twenty-five cents must be saved for
breakfast the nextmorning. How he was
to manage for a 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 Inns before oOin0 IN sleen. and thew