Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-09-27

tVNh tuc SlTccC.
'rhcrc was n good deal of temper
ABOUT that last performance, said Unclo
Adoniram, "but there was some honest
pride us we'll. don't just SEQ how tho
boy is going to getalong without moneys;
but suppose he won't starvo us long as
his watch lasts"
Tho old man was right. Charles.
pawned the watch which had been left
him by his father, and then searched. dill
igently for Il job. uo loft nothing un-
done to secure what he considered a
suitable situation, but his efforts were
useless. There was call for mechanics
anu employment enough for professional
men, but for him there was absolutely
nothing.
There were hundred clerks and book
Keepers to ono situation, gentleman to
whom he applied told him, and with n
touch of pity for the evident discourage
ment of his applicant asked him fow
sensible questions.
"Now if you understood stcnography,
he said, after careful .catcchism, al
could show you some court work which
would be very rcmunerative."
Charles shook his head. His expert
'ences were beginning to mako him feel
very small.
81 should be glad to help ,you," tho
gentleman went on kindly, Shut Ircally
don't SEQ any way to do it. 1 know of u
position you could have Mt onco as car
conductor, but"
Tho young mans face was ablazc, and
his eyes looked as if they would strike
fire. "But whnt2" he asked, as his COM
panion did not finish tho sentence.
eff you were n relative of mine" tho
|,gcntlemun replied, "nnd had tried for
other positions and failed us you tell me
you have, 1 should say, put your pride in
your pocket and buckle to it. 1 should
tell you also to make use of every spare
moment, and study stenogrnphy, US if
your life depended upon it,"
"But when n man once takes such n
rposition, Charles began in feeble re-
monstrance, his face still scarlet.
''Hc is always obliged to keep it, you
I'wcrc going to say" the gentlcman inter
ruptcd. "That is stuff and nonsense.
If you have the right pluck and ambition,
and application, you can make your job
n temporary affair, bridge across Il
| stream; and if you nrc above accepting
such position, or too indolent and un-
I ambitious to work into something better
if you do accept it, then you nrc not
worth saving;" and with this the gentle
man turned away.
Charles had twenty-five cents of tho
witch money left i'll 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 tho position of
cor conductor seemed the expression Of
| nll business men from his uncle to tho
present one.
"Well, what do you say2" the gentle
man inquired, returning moment to
speak to him.
''If you will show me how to secure
the situation you spoke of" Charles re-
piled, with lip which would quivor II
little in spite of NIL he could do, 81 will
go Immediately and see about it,"
"Good for you'll" said his companion.
"I will go with you," md the rich
merchant passed his arm through that of
his struggling, poverty stricken COM
panion, and in this wny they sought tho
office of tho great railroad company. A
few brief words and the ugly business
was settled. The young man would tako
his place the next morning Mt six o'clock,
with smalI but sufficient salary.
81 have the best works on shorthand, "
the gentemun told Charles rs they were
about to part; "and if you will step
round to the house with me should be
happy to lend you the books. My daugh-
ter studied stenogaphy for fun. 1t took
her one year to learn the system, by study
ing little every day. You ought to be
able to beat girl at the business"
Charles smiled. Application Tint
was what his uncle said he needed more
than any other qualification Should he
take this mans books, and promise him
to spend his spare time in the study of
stenographya How strangely his affairs
were being taken out of his hands. Tho
young man had always believed that tho
great business of the universe was taken
care of, but this wns the first time that
he had ever felt that his small affairs
were in any way managed or directed.
Now it seemed to him rs if his ways were
in some incomprchensible 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 won
dered, as he looked over the strange
characters that evening in the book his
new friend had lent him, which strag-
Cling mark his life was like. They oil
meant something, that was one comfort
some letters, some phrases; but the
zigzag character which stood for him
would doubtless be the one of smallest
account. 1t might be an Interrogation
point, he thoughs; surely no one asked
more questions or received less answers.
He had one meal that day. His remain
ing twenty-five cents must be saved for
breakfast the nextmorning. How he was
to manage for full week without any
money was physical and mathematical
problem which he was not equal to.
Sufficient unto the day." and "Think
not of the morrow" we're the last words
on his liDs before Dnipe m eloa,, d. ard &Lo