West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-08-15
BENEATH HIM.
by ELEANOR KIRK.

''1 would starve frstp
"Then starvel"
Uncle Adoniram Barney, as ne was
called by all who know him, had been
having a 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 Gdvisability of the young mans
seeking some occupation in which he
would be sure to earn his living.
Charles was twenty-on and his uncle
up to this time had assisted him in every
possible manner, but, strangely ENOUGH.
though possessed of fine intellect. care
fuliy cultivated, he had done nothing to
earn his own living. He had been un
willing to study for profession, and at
this time had small prospect of obtaining
situation, and smaller prosrect Of keep
ing position if he had found one.
IF could only find where / belong. {"
Charles began again. He had cooled
down little, and was disposed TO argue
the point q trihe further. 81 can never
make good clerk or bookkeeper. and
You know az well as ] do that I am
utterly lacking in mechanical ability"
'And the worst Of all is. Charles. Won
are utterly lacking in the quality Of ap-
plica.ion," Uncle Adoniram replied
"Nou talk about your lacks rs If they
were something to be proud OF. If yoa
nave got fair common sense and a fair
education YOU can make a good clerk or
a good bookkeeper, and YOU could learn
q trade if you wanted TO. II is al bosb
every bit of il, and now that you have
come to mans estate Won ought TO be
ashamed OF such childish balderdash. !
nave given you the best advice / could
under the circumstances, and whether Won
follow II Or not is your own affair"
Decidedly" said Charles, rising in
white heat. 81 always supposed YOU
cared something about me: but when
ieilows's only relative, and that relative
rich man, advises him 90 look out for a
situeton as car conductor, there can GER
tainly be but one opinion about it."
"Tou are right, Charles, " said Uncle
Adoniram, ''theTc can be but one opiniop
/ decline Tor your own good. to 90 on
supporting you; and taking into consider
alton your constant failures 10 support
yourself, ] advise you 30 try for a car con
ductor's position You viii learn 10 be
accurate and attentive You will know
whai il is to work for your bread and
TINS IN my opinion. YOU need to know
more than anything else"
"Then you don't care for the humiiia-
tioa, the social ostracism. that will be
the inevitable results Of such an occupa
ton" the young man inquired as he
ncrvOusly turned tnc knob of the door ne
had just opened
''Not q red cent? Uncle Adoniram re-
piled. II man is going 10 be cut by
his friends for earning i'm the only way
that is open 10 him an independent liv
ing, then social ostracism is the healthiest
thing that 7 can think Of. The only thing
that should humiliato an able bodied man
is dependence upon others. You have
become so accustomed, Charles, to being
looked ont for, that the alternative seems
very undesirable 20 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 srYour
charity shall not be further trespassed
UPON" was the proud answer. eIf I
ever take relative to bring up, Uncle
Adoniram, will be still more generous.
aud refrain from twitting him with how
much he has cost me Here is the money
you gave me yesterday, and which 7 was
mean enough 20 take, and the young
man emptiod the financial contents OF his
pockets on his uncle's desk. "since Won
have turned me out Of doors, sir, 7 prefer
70 90 poppileas, Good moFping7