The Opelousas courier., 1889-09-07

igentiy for a job. He left nothing I'M
done TO secure what he considered a
suitable situation, but his efforts were
useless. T5re was a call for mechanics
and employment enough for professional
men, but for him there was absolutely
nothing.
There were a hundred clerks and book
keepers to one situation, a gentleman to
whom ne 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 a careful cAtechism, sI
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. I 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 what2" he asked, as his COM
panion did not finish the sentence.
AIf you were a relative of mine" the
gentleman replied, s'and had tried for
other positions and failed as you tell me
you have, I should say, put your pride in
your pocket and buckle to it. / should
tell you also to make use of every spare
moment, and study stenography, as if
your life depended upon it,"
"But when a man once takes such a
POSITION" Charles began in feeble re-
m elstrance, his face still scarlet.
"He is always obliged to keep it, you
were going to say the gentleman inter
rupted. s.That is stuff and nonsense.
II you have the right pluck and ambition,
and application, you can make your job
a temporary affair, Q bridge across a
stream; and if you are above accepting
such a position, or too indolent and I'M
ambitious to work into something better
If do accept it, then you are not
worth savings'' and with this the gentle
man turned away. n-
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 81
csr conductor seemed the expression o.
all business men from his uncle to the
present enc.
"Well, what do you say7" the gentle
man inquired, returning 9 moment tt
speak to him.
"If you will show me how to secure
the situation you spoke Of" Charles re
8 piled, with ? lip which would culver
n little in spite of all he could do, 81 vii
go Immediately and see about it,"
d, "Good for you'll" said his companion
d III will go with you," and the ricl
:. merchant passed his arm through that o
q his struggling, poverty stricken com
q ~panion, and in this way they sought tn
q Office of the great railroad compan3. 4
few brief words and the ugly bushes
e' was settled. The young pan would TAX
y his place the next morninssf99t six O'Clock
/, with a small but sufficient salary.
E 81 have the best works on shorthand,
20 the gentleman told Charles as they Wer
l. about to part; "and if you will ste
Ut round to the house with me I should b
g happy to lend you the books. My daugh
D. ter studied stenography foF fun. ltfoo
her one year to learn the system, by study
}" Ing a little every day. You ought to b
d ,ble to beat a girl at the business"
lie Charles smiled. Application Tins
er. was what his uncle SAID he needed mo-
Id than any other qusltGAsS ttion. Should h
M bake this mans Books, NSpd promise mi
Ne spend his spare time i the study {
,u ,tenographya How strangely his affair
p- we've being taken out of his Esands. IL
Young man had always believed lat tt
a pYeat business of the universe was take
r. care of. but this was the first time tn
he had ever felt that his small aifa1
lie were in any way managed or dlrecte'
N. Now it seemed to him as if his ways we
an In some incomprehensible manner be1n
sr- ordered.
'Ft OF course, there was neither generosl
IL aor Justice in the matter, and everythI
be was all wrong; still some power outsl'
of himself was responsible, and ne wo
nd dered. as he looked over the strans
characters that evening in the beek b
GU new friend had lent him, which stra
air vlh.e mark his life was like. They
or aaaat sonaething, that was one eomfs
Urn nsl LISTERS, some phrases; but 4 q
H., 80 character which stood for Il
.ye would doubtless be the ohe OF smalit
be, account, It might be an interrogatl'
I point, he thought; surely no one ask
aid more questions or received less ansWe!
He had one meal that day. His emf
inc twenty-five cents must be saved ]
i o breakfast the nextmorning. How he "
,on 10 manage for a full week without a
|, o monesawas a physical and mathematl'
nroblem which he was not equal to:
ow asuficient unto the day, andQsIh1
not of the morrow, y were the iast>1oi
ia nm his lips before going to sleep; and til
be were repeated with so much reveren
and such evident desire to get hold
ia The faith which was dimly dawing uE
he him, that his good angel must Ia ]
epmf0rted.
re- Promptly at six the next morning
by young man took his place on his car. !
way 6rst thing to do was to sweep 1t o
liv- Charles Barney had never handled a bro
lest in his life, but he gave his mind TO
:~. ,ooaadod IN annparinO MI