The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-10-19
A BOY WHO WAS WANTED.
"Well, I've found out one thing,

"Well, I've found out one thing,
said Jack, as he came to his mother
hot, tired and dusty.
"What is that" she asked.
"That there are great many boys il
the world"
Didn't you know that before ?"
"Partly, but didn't know there were
so many more than are wanted"
"What makes you think SOP"
"BecauSe I've been round and
round till I'm worn out, trying to find
place to work. Wherever | go there
are more boys than places. Doesn't
that show that there are too many
boys?"
"Not exactly" said his mother, with
a smile. at depends entirely upon the
kind OF boy. A good Toy is always
wanted somewhere"
"Well, if Pm good boy, wish l
knew where I'm wanted"
patience, patience, my boy. In
such great world as this, with so many
places and so many boys, it is no won-
der that some of them do not find their
places at once. But be very sure dear" "
as she laid a caressing hand on his
arm, "that every boy who wants a
chance to do fair, honest work will find
it."
"That's the kind OF work l want to
do," said Jack, "I don't want anybody's
money for nothing. Let me see-what
have l got to ofer7 All the schooling
and all the wits I've been able to get
up to thirteen years, good. stout hands
and feet, and civil tongue"
"And a mind and heart set on doing
faithful duty" suggested his mother.
81 hope so," replied Jack. 81 re-
member father used to say, Just as
soon as you undertake to work for any
one you must bear in mind that you
have sold yourself to him for a given
time. Your time, your strength, your
energy are his, and your best efforts to
seek his interest in every way are his
due"
The earnest tone in which the boy
spoke seemed to give assurance that he
would pay good heed to the words of
his father, whose counsels could no
more reach him.
For two or three days longer Jack
had reasons to hold his opinion that
there were more boys than the world
wanted. at the end of which time he
met with business man, who, after
questioning him closely, said:
"Ihere are a great many applications
for the place, bat the greater number of
the boys come and stay for a short
time, and then leave if they think they
can do a little better. When a boy
gets used to our routes and our custom
ers we want him 10 stay. If you will
agree to remain Tor at least three wears
we will pay you three dollars week as
rrrand boy"
"That is jrst what want to do, sir, ,"
said Jack, eagerly. So he was installed,
and proud enough he was at bringing
his wages home every Saturday night,
and realizing that, small as they we're,
the regular help was of great value to
his mother.
1t is not to be wondered at that the
faithful carrying out Of his fathers ad-
monition after awhile attracted the at
tention not only of his employers, but
of others with whom he was brought
into contact in the pursuit of his duties.
One day he was asked into the office
of Mr.. Lang, gentleman to whom he
frequently carried parcels of value.
"Have you ever thought of changing
your situation ?" asked MIR. Lang.
"No, sir" said Jack.
"Perhaps you could do BETTER" said
the other. 81 want to get boy who
is quick and intelligent and who can be
relied on, and from what 1 see of you,
| think you are that sort of boy. l
want you to drive delivery wagon, and
l will pay you five dollars a week"
Jacks eyes opened wide.
"It's wonderful good pay, sir for a
boy like me, am sure. But 1 promised
to keep on with Mr.. Hill for three
years, and the second year has Just be-
gum"
"Well, have you signed a regular
agreement with Mr.. Hill2"
"No, sir; told him I'd stay"
"You haye mother to assist, you
told me. Couldn't you tell Mr.. Hill
that you feel obliged to do better when
you have chance2"
81 don't believe 1 could" said Jack
looking with his straight, frank gaze
into the gentlemen's face. "You see.
sir, if l broke my word to him, ]
shouldn't be the kind of boy to be
relied on that you wanted"
81 guess you are about right" said
Mr.. Lang, with laugh. "Come and
see me when your time is out; 1 dare
say shall want you then"
Jack went home very much stirred
up by what had been said to him. After
all, could it be wrong to go where he
could do so much better2 Almost
double the wages Was it not really
his duty to his mother to obtain it, and
to drive a wagon, instead of trudging
YEARLY along the streets7 They never
had felt so hot and dusty as they did
| just now, when he might escape from
the tiresome routine.
Might, but how2 By the sacrifice Of