West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-08-15

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calling his nephew back. but thonoht
better of it and sat perfectly quiet as the
angry man slammed the door and walked
down the street.
! There was a good deal OF temper
about that last performance said Uncle
Adoniram, 'but there was some honest
pride as well. don't just see how the
boy is going to get along without money /;
but suppose he won't starve as long as
his watch lasts"
The old man was right. Charles
| pawned the watch which had been left
him by his father, and then searched dill
| lgently for a Job. He left nothing I'M
done To secure what he considered a
suitable situation, but his efforts were
useless. There was call for mechanics
ana employment enough for professional
men, but for him there was absolutely
nothing.
There were hundred clerks and book
Keepers to one situation. gentleman 60
whom he applied told him, and with n
touch of pity for the evident discourage.
ment OF his applicant asked him few
sensible questions.
"Now If you understood stenography, "
he said, after a careful catechism, 81
could show you some court work which
would be very remunerative"
Charles shook his head. His experi-
ences were beginning to make him feel
very small
81 should be glad to help you,n the
gentleman went on kindly, "but really
don't sec any way TO do it. / know of n
position you could have at once as car
| conductor, but
The young mans face was ablaze, and
ms eyes looked as il they would strike
fire. "But whatl" he asked, as his com
panion did not finish the sentence.
eff you were a relative of mine" the
gentleman replied ''and had tried for
other positions aud failed as you tell me
you have, L should say, put your pride in
your pocket and buckle to Il. | should
| tell you also TO make use of every spare
moment, and study stenography, as if
your life depended upon it.
"But when man once takes such n
position" Charles began in feeble re-
monstrance, his face still scarlet
''He is always Obliged to keep it, YOU
were going TO say" the gentleman inter
rupted. "That is stuff and nonsense.
If you have the right pluck and ambition,
and application, you can make your job
temporary affair, a bridge across a
stream; and il you are above accepting
such position, or too indolent and un-
ambitious to work into something better
if you do accept it, then you are not
worth saving;" and with this the gentle
man turned away.
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 of
Ger conductor seemed the expression of
all business men from his uncle TO the
present one.
"Well, what do you sayl" the gentle
man inquired, returning a moment to
speak to him.
''If you will show me how to secure
the situation you spoke Of" Charles re-
piled, with a lip which would culver n
little in spite Of all he could do, 'I will
go Immediately and see about it,"
"Good for you" said his companion.
II will go with YOU" and the rich
merchant passed his arm through that of
his struggling, poverty stricken com
panion, and in this way they sought the
Office Of the great railroad company. A
few brief words and the ugly business
was settled. The young man would take
his place the next morning at six O'Clock,
with small but sufficient salary.
81 have the best works on shorthand &"
the gentleman told Charles as they were
about to part; "and if you will step
round to the house with me / should be
happy TO lend you the books. NV daugh-
ter studied stenography for fun. 1t took
her one year 20 learn the system, by study
ing little every day. You ought to be
able TO beat a girl at the business"
Charles smiled. Application That
was what his uncle said ne needed more
than any other qualification. Should he
take this mans books, and promise him
90 spend his spare time in the study Of
stenographyl How strangely his affairs
were being taken out Of his hands. The
young man had always believed that the
great business Of the universe was taken
care Of, but this was the first time that
he had ever felt that his small affairs
were in any way managed or directed
Now IL seemed to him as II his ways were
in some incomprchensiblc manner being
I 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 ne won
deTcd, as he looked over the strange
characters that evening in tho book his
new friend had lent him, which strao-
/ Cling mark his life was like. They all
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. II might be an interrogation
point, be thought; surely no one asked
more questions or received less answers.
Hc had ono meal that day. His remain
ing twenty-five cents must be saved for
breakfast the nextmorninQ. How he was
to manage for a fun week without any
money was n physical and mathematical
problem which he was not equal 20.
Sufficient unto tho day, and "Think
not Of the morrow, we're the last words
ON bis lips before going 20 sleep; and they
were rnunofnd with ao much rr.t-oro....