The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-09-05
A GREAT MANY BOYS.

1
A GREAT MANY eoys.
Hut Every Ono Who Wants Chance to
Do Fair, Honest Work Will Find II.
"Well. I've found out one thing
said Jack. as he came in to his mother.
hot. tired and dusty.
What is that?' she asked.
That there are grea, many boys
in the world
Didn't you know that bcforc?'
Partly. but | didn't know there
were so many more than are wanted"
What makes you think so?'
because Two been round and round
till IN 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
smile. 1T depends entirely On the
kind Of boy. A good boy is always
wanted somewhere"
well. il I'm a good boy ] wish l
knew where I'm wanted
| Patience. patience. my boy. In
such a great world as this is. with SO
many places and so many boys. it is no
wonder that some of them do not find
their places at once. But be very sure
DEAR" Us she laid caressing hand on
his arm. THAT every boy who wants q
! chance 10 do fair, honest work will find
it.
That's the kind of work / want TO
do said Jack. don't want any body's
money for nothing. Let me see what
have got to offer? 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.
Il hope So" said jack Il remem-
Der father used to say just as soon as
you undertake to work for any one you
must bear III mind that you have sold
yourself TO him for the given time.
Your time. your strength. your energy
are his. and your best efforts to seek
his interests 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 tine words OF
the fathc. whose counsels could no
more reach him.
For two or three days longer Jack
had reason 10 hold to his opinion that
there were more boys than the world
wanted. at the end OF which time he
met with q business man who. after
questioning him CLOSELY. said:
There are a great many applica-
tions for the place. but a greater num-
Der Of the boys come and stay for
short time and then leave II they
think they can do little better When
customers we want him to stay. II
you agree to remain for at least three
years VIC wi pay you three dollars u
week as errand boy"
Tina: is just what want to do sir
said Jack. eagerly. 50 he was installed.
and proud enough he was at bringing
his wages home every Saturday night,
and realizing that. small as they were,
the regular help was Of great value to
| his mother.
II is not to be wondered at that the
faithful carrying out OF his fathers ad-
monition after awhile attracted the at
tcntion. not only OF his employers, but
Of others with whom lie was brought
| into contact. in the pursuit OF his du-
I. ties
| One day he was asked into the office
Of Mr.. Lang, a gentleman to whom he
frequently carried parcels of value.
Have you ever thought Of changing
your situation?" asked Mr.. Lang.
No sir" said Jack.
Perhaps you could do BETTER" said
the other. Il want to get boy who
is quick and intelligent and can be re-
lied on. and from what / see Of you
think you arc that sort of boy. ! want
you to drive a delivery wagon. and
will pay you five dollars II weex."
Jack opened his eyes wide.
Its wonderful good pay, sir, for a
boy like me. I'm sure. But promised
to keep on with Mr.. Hill for three
years. and tho second year is only just
begun
Well. have you signed a regular
agreement with Mr.. Hip"
mo. sir; told him I'd stay
You have q mother to assist, you
told me. Couldn't you tell Mr.. Hill
that you feel Obliged to do better when
you have chance?"
Il don't believe could" said Jack.
looking with his straight. frank gaze
into the gentleman's face. "You see,
sir. If | broke my word to him. l
shouldn't be the kind Of boy to be re-
lied on that you wanted"
II guess you are about right" said
Mr.. Lang, with n laugh. Come and
soc me when your time is out; dare
say shall want you then"
Jack went home very much stirred
BY what had been said to him. After
all. could it be wrong to go where he
could do so much better9 Almost dou-
bic wages! Was it not really his duty
to his mother to obtain it, and to drive
wagon instead OF trudging YEARLY
along tho Streets They never had
felt SO hot and dusty as they did just
now When he might escape from the
tiresOme routine.
Might, but how? by the sacrifice OF
his pledged word. by selling his truth
aud his homo. So strongly did the re-
Election force itself upon him tina: when
he told his mother Of the offer he had
received he merely added:
1T would be a grand good thing il
could tlke it, wouldn't it, mother?"
"les. il would"
Some boys would change without
thinking OF letting a promise stand in
their way
Yes. but that is the kind Of boy who.
sooner Or later. is not wanted. 1t is