Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-10-01
WINNING HIS WAY.
An Apprenticeship with Neces.
sity as Task-Master.
Il would starve first I"

Then starveP'
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
10 this time had assisted him in every pos
sible manner, but, strangely enough, though
possessed Of a fine intellect, carefully culti-
vated, he had done nothing to earn his own
living. He had been unwilling to study for
a profession, and at this time had small
prospect Of obtaining situation, and small
er prospect of keeping position if he found
one.
"If I could only find where belong"
Charles began again. He had cooled down
little, and was disposed to argue the point
trife further. II 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-
tioL," Uncle Adoniram replied "You talk
to be proud Of II YOU have got fair COM
mon sense and fair education you can
make good clerk or a good boof-keeper,
and you could learn trade il you wanted
to. 1t is all bosh, every bit Of it, and now
that you have come to mans estate you
ought to be ashamed OF such childish bal
derdash. l have given you the best advice
l could under the circumstances, and wheth-
or you follow 1t or not Is your own affair. "
Decidedly" said Charles, rising in a
white heat. II 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,' said Uncle
Adonram, "there 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 10 try for a car-conductors
position. You will learn TO be accurate and
attentive. You will know what 1t 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 ostracsm, that will be the in
evitable results Of such an occupationW 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. "lf man is going to be cut by his
friends for earning, in the only way that is
open TO HIM, an independent living, then
social ostracism Is the healthiest thing |
can think Of, The only thing that should
humiliate an able-bodied man is depend
Ath -,
customed, Charles, to being looked out for
that the alternative seems very undesir-
able to 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
"Your charity shall not be further tres
passed upon," was the proud answer. "lf
| ever take relative TO bring up, Uncle
Adonram, 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 | was
mean enough TO take" aud the young man
empued the financial contents OF his
pocke,s on his uncles desk. "Since you
have turned mo out OF doors, sir, prefer
10 80 penniless Good morning. /
Uncle Adoniram was on the point OF call I
ng his nephew back, but thought better OF .
Z and sat perfectly quiet as the angry man
'lammed the door and walked down the
street
"There was a good deal OF temper about
hat last performance" said Uncle Adon.
ram, but there was some honest pride as
we'll. don't just see how the boy is going
o get along without money; but l suppose
10 won't starve as long as his watch Lasts
The old man was right. Charles pawned
he watch which had been left him by his
ather and then searched diligently for
Oh. He left nothing uudone 10 secure what
Ie considered a suitable situation, but his
forts We're useless. There was call for
nechantcs and employment enough for pro
essonal men, but for him there was abso-
itely nothing
There were a hundred clerks and book
eepers 10 one situation, a gentleman TO
ihom he applied told him, and with touch
Z pity for the evident discouragement OF
Is applicant asked him few sensible Ques.
ons,
"Now, II you understood stenography," he
aid, after a careful catechism, ~ could
how you some court work which would be
cry remuneratlve."
Charles shook his head. His experiences
ere beginning TO make him feel very /
nall. #,
~ should be glad TO help you," the gentle
an went ON kindly, "but really don't see
ny way To do IT, know Of position you !,
,uld have at once as car.conductor, but" :
The young mans face was ablase aud his
res looked as II they would strike ire. !.
But whatr he asked, as his companion did
u rnish the sentence.
"lf you were relative Of mine, " the gen !,
eman replied, ''and had tried for other
'sitlons and failed ~ you tell me you have. !
should cay, put your pride IN your pocket .