Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-10
Che Daily gayle satnrday gring auous TO- 1888


Charles had twenty-five cents of the watch
money left In bis 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 conductor seemed the express
sion of all business men from his uncle to the
present one.
''Wel, what do you say?a the gentleman
inquired, returning in moment TO speak to
him.
eff you will show me how to secure the
situation you spoke of, Charles replied, with
lip which would CULVER little in spite OF
ali be could do, II will 90 Immediately and
see about it,"
'Good for you'll" said his companion. Il
will go with you" and the rich merchant
passed his arm through that of his struggling,
poverty stricken 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 e O'Clock,
with small but sufficient salary.
81 have the best works on shorthand" the
gentleman told Charles as they were about to
part; ''and if you will step around to the
house with me l should be happy to lend you
the books My daughter studied stenography
for fun. It took her one year to learn the
system, by studying little every day. You
ought to be able to beat girl at the bust
ness"
Charles smiled. Application. That was
what his uncle said he needed more than any
other quality Should he take this mans
books, and promise him to spend his spare
time in the study of stenography? How
strangely his affairs were being taken out of
his hands. The young man had always be-
lieved that the great business of the universe
was taken care Of, but this was the first time
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 lncompre-
henslble manner being ordered.
OF course there was neither generosity nor
Justice in the matter, and everything 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, that was one comfort
some letters; some phrases; but the Zigzag
character which stood for him would doubt
less be the one of smallest account. 1t would
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-
manning 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.
Sufficient unto the day." and "Think not
~ l. l.,
lips before going to sleep: and they were re-
peated with SO much reverence, and such evil
dent desire to get hold of tho faith which was
diInly dawning upon him, that his good angel
must have felt comforted.
Promptly at G the next morning the young
man took his place on his car. The first
thing to do was to sweep it out Charles
Barney had never used 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
Numerous instructions with attention, and his
new work commenced.
1t was not quite as dreadful as he had sup
posed. Still it was distastefGll 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 Enclosure of S.
II had an impression" it said, "that you
were entirely out of money. 1 tried once
when l was about your age to live without
eating. 1t didn't work. | am sure it won't
in your case Come in and see me some time
when you have leisure. Keep up your cour-
age, and stick to your stenography."
The first thought that went through the
young mans mind as he read and re-read this
kind letter was that this rich merchant didn't
feel himself above associating with a car con-
Guctor. To do him justice he recognized that
this was very mean consideration. Then he
wondered how long it would be before he
could return the money, and concluded he
could do it in two weeks. Then, and not till
then, would he call on the gentleman.
Only an hour could be given to study in the
first twenty-four hours of his new life, but
drag, and when he put away his book for the
sleep he must have 1t was with real refuct-
ance.
He had been employed about two months
when one morning Uncle Adoniram stepped
on his car. His first impulse was to pull his
hat down over his eyes and avoid recognition
manliness as well as application, and he i'm
mediately thought better of it. The old man
did not look up when his nephew gave MIN
his change but Charles said softly, Good
morning, uncle" and then he sprang to his
feet
"Charlesr' he exclaimed, grasping the con-
ductor's hand. Charles, my boy, how do
you do9'
There was abundant love and heartiness in
Uncle Admiram's voice and manner, and
there was something more that was new TO
Charles. He knew now that for the first time
his uncle really respected him, and out of this
a stronger courage was born.
~ have been very lonely without you, ~ the
old man said, as he stood on the back plat
form with his nephew; land l have been
worried about you, too. Why have you not
been home, Charlesp
because | wanted TO see if / was really
going to keep my position, the young man
land because, uncle, wanted to
rid myself of all feeling OF humiliation before
! saw you again"
'Wnere do you stand in the matter nowg"
Uncle Adoniram inquired, as he brushed
tear from his cheek
Almost on my feet," Charles replied
Are you looking for anything else, my
boyr'
Il am studying stenography with all my
might, uncle and am getting along finely.
By and by l shall have mastered it, and then
l can always find employment.
Your discipline has made man of you,
said his uncle Il knew it would
Don't stay away from the old man, my boy.
God bless and keep YOU"