The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-09-04


and the poor fellow wondered if he should
ever get used to it. At noon, on his re.
turn to the car station, he found a letter
from his new friend, with an enclosure Of
five dollars.
81 had an impression" it said, "that
you were entirely out Of money. 1 tried
once when was about your age to live
without eating. 1t didn't work, I'm sure
it won't in your case. Come in and see
me some time when you have leisure.
Keep up your courage 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 asso.
ciating with a car conductor. To do him
justice, he recognized that this was a
very mean consideration. Then he won.
dered 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 gentle.
man.
Only an hour could be given to study
in the first twenty-four hours of his new
life; but this time was refreshment in
stead of drag, and when he put away
his book for the sleep he must have, il
was with real reluctance.
He had been employed about two
months when one morning Uncle Adoni-
ram stepped on his car. His first i'm
pulse was to pull his hat down over his
eyes and avoid recognition if possible,
but Charles Barney was learning manli-
ness as well as application and he imme-
diately thought better of it. The old
man did not look up when his nephew
gave him his change; but Charles said
softly: "Good morning, uncle" and
then sprang to his feet.
Charlesl" he exclaimed, grasping
the conductors hand. "Charles, nv
boy, how do you do9"
There was abundant love and hearti:
ness in Uncle Adoniram's voice and man
ner, and there was something more that
was new to Charles. He knew now that
for the first time his uncle really re-
spected him, and out of this a stronger
courage was born.
81 have been very lonely without you, {"
the old man said, as he stood on the back
platform with his nephew; "and have
been worried about you, too. Why have
you not been home, Charles2"
because wanted to see if 1 was really
going to keep my position" the young
man answered; 'and because, uncle,
wanted to rid myself of all feeling of hu.
initiation before l saw you again.
"Where do you stand in the matter
now2" Uncle Adoniram inquired, as he
brushed tear from his cheek.
"Almost ON my feet" Charles replied.
care you looking for anything else,
my boyl"
81 am studying stenography with all
my might, uncle, and am getting along
finely. By and by l shall have mastered
it, and then can always find employ
ment."
"Your discipline has made a man Of
you, Charlesl" said his uncle. 81 knew
it would. Don't stay away from the old
man, my boy. God bless and keep
you"
The young man went home the next
day, for he felt that his uncle needed
hhhi pu1 ho SUN hepJ LIS pOSltlOn as car
conductor, and studied every spare
moment. His uncle read to him, and
laughed at the strange characters he so
deftly put on paper, and in this manner a
year went by. Then Charles Barney
found more congenial employment,
helped to it by the merchant who had
been his steadfast friend, and whose
daughter he ultimately married. He had
served an invaluable apprenticeship to the
inexorable taslxmaster, Necessity, and had
been an apt scholar, not only learning
dispatch and application, but finding out
that a true man can ennoble the lowliest
labor Youths Companion.