Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-09-11
WINNING HIS WAY.
An Apprenticeship with Neces-
sity as a Task-Master.

''Then Starve!'
Uncle Adoniram Barney, as he was called
by all who knew him, had been having a
serious conversation with his nephew
Charles. Charles had lost his temper en-
tirely, and Uncle Adoniram had at last
reached the utmost limit Of forbearance.
The question under discussion was the ad-
visibility 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
20 this time had assisted him in every pos
sible manner, but, strangely enough, though
possessed Of a fine intellect, carefully Guilt
waited, he had done nothing to earn his own
living. He had been unwilling to study fol
a profession, and at this time had small
prospect OF obtaining situation, and small
er prospect OF keeping position If he found
one
'If could only ind where belong"
Charles began again. He had cooled down
a little, and was disposed to argue the point
trife further. 81 can never make good
clerk or book keeper, and you know as well
as do that am utterly lacking in mechan-
ical ability
'And the worst of all is, Charles, you are
utterly lacking in the quality of applica-
tiou," Uncle Adoniram replied. 'You talk
about your lacks as If they were something
TO be proud of. II you have got fair com.
mon sense and a fair education you can
make good clerk or good book-keeper,
and you could learn trade if you wanted
to. 1t is all bosh, every bit OF 1t, and now
that you have come to mans estate you
ought to be ashamed of such childish bal
derdash. have gwen you the best advice
could under the circumstances, and wheth-
err you follow it or not IS your own affair "
Decidedly" said Charles, rising in
white heat. 1 always supposed you cared
something about me; but when fellows
only relative, and that relative rich man,
advises him to look out for situation as
car-conductor, there can certainly be but
one opinion about it"
''You are right, Charles,p said Uncle
Adoniram, "thcre can be but one opinion
decline, for your own good, to go on sup
porting you; and, taking into consideration
your constant failure to support yourself,
advise you TO try for a car-conductors
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 any
thing else"
''Then you don't care for the humiliation,
the social ostracism, that will be the in
evitable results of such an occupations" the
Young man inquired, as he nervously
turned the knob of the door he had just
opened
mot a 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 10 him, an independent living, then
social ostracism is the healthiest thing
oan think Of The only thing that should
humilate an abie-bodied man is depend
ence upon others. You haye become so &C
customed, Charles to being looked out for
that the alternative seems very undesir-
able to you"
This was quitting 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 tres
passed Npon," was the proud answer. 'lf
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 I was
mean enough to take,n and the young man
emptled the financial contents Of his
pockcLs on his uncle's desk. "Since you
have turned me out Of doors, sir, ! prefer
TO 20 penniless. Good morning"
Uncle Adoairam was on the point of call
Ing his nephew back, but thought better OF
1t and sat perfectly quiet as the angry man
slammed the door and walked down the
street.
'eThere was good deal of temper about
that last performance" said Uncle Adon
IRAN, .'but there was some honest pride as
well. don't just see how the boy is going
20 get along without money; but suppose
he won't starve as long as his watch lasts. ;
The old man was right. Charles pawnet
the watch which had been left him by hi
father, and then searched diligently for
Job He left nothing undone TO secure wha
he considered suitable situation, but hi
efforts were useless. There was call 70
mechanics and employment enough for pre-
fessional men, but for him there was absC
lutely nothing.
There were q hundred clerks and book
keepers to one situation, gentleman (
whom he applied told him, and with touc
of pity for the evident encouragement {
his applicant asked him few sensible que
tlons.
Snow, If you understood stenography," b
said. after careful catechism, II coul
show you some court work which would
very remunerative."
Charles shook his head. His experience
were beginning to make him feel vel
small.
~ should be glad to help you," the gentl
man went on kindly, shut really don't 81
any way to do it. l know of position W
could have at once as car-conductor, but
The young mans face was ablaze and
eyes looked as if they would strike fir
s'But yvhatr' he asked, as his companion d
not finish the sentence.
''If you were relative Of mine," the &c
leman replied, land had tried for 9TH
.ositions and failed as you tell me you hav
should say, put your pride in your peck
and bCckle to it. should tell you also
make use of every spare moment, and STUD
stenography as if your life depended upC
tn
"But when man olicce takes position
Charles began, in feeble lemonstrance, b
face still scarlet.
"He is always obliged TO keep il &c
were going to say" the gentleman int
rupted ''That is stun and nonsense.
you have the right pluck and ambition an
application you can make your job ter
porary affair. a bridge across stream
and II you are above accepting such p
sitiou, or too indolent and unambitious
work into something better if you do accel
it, then you are not worth saving" an
with this the gentleman turned away.
Charles had twenty-five cents Of Il
watch money left in his pocket. This w.
the sum total of his earthly possession
The way in which this gentleman locke
upon the pride which made him hesita
about accepting the position Of CARGO
ductor seemed the expression of all bu.
ness men from his uncle to the present on
swell, what do you sayP' the gentlem;
inquired, returning a moment to speak
him.
III Won win show me how 10 secure L