The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-04
Charlie's References.

"Well, will just try for this place,
mother,n said Charlie, looking up
from the paper he held in his hand
''They want strong, willing boy
who can bring reference from his last
place. can't do that, since I have
never worked anywhere before; but
perhaps they will be willing to give
me trial if they do not have any boy
apply with just the reference they
want. Nothing venture nothing
have you know; so L will see what
can do"
After he had brought up the Goa
and filled the wood-boX and water-pai
little services that his mother never
had to remind him of-Charlie started
to answer the advertisement.
He was afraid if he took the time tc
walk into town he might be too late tc
have any chance of getting the place
so he resolved to invest five cents ir
car-fare.
1t was cold, raw morning, and the
only other person in the car was ar
old gentleman, well wrapped up in 6
heavy great coat.
His cane was standing beside him
and as Charlie entered the car he
struck it with his foot, and it fell
down.
IT beg your pardon, sir" said Char
lie, picking it up and restoring 1t to III
owner.
Presently an old woman, loaded
with heavy basket as well as o hun
die, signaled the car, and the driver
waited for her to come some little dis.
tance, as at that hour in the morning
the car did not run very frequently.
Charlie looked out of the window and
saw her coming.
"I'll give you hand with your bas'
ket, ma'am," he exclaimed, jumping
off the car, and picking up the basket,
which was not very heavy burden,
in his strong arms, he carried it into
the car and deposited it beside the old
woman, who seemed very grateful fol
the assistance.
Charlie put her fare in the box, and
exchanged a few pleasant sentences
with her, and told her where q certain
street was that she was going to find
It was Charles habit always to make
himself as helpful as possible, and he
was as interested in trying to explain
to the old woman just where she mus!
turn, as if he expected to be rewarded
in some way for his information.
A little later another boy got in the
car. He was much better dressed than
Charlie, and he might have been c
very prepossessing boy, if ii had moi
been for rather unpleasant express
ion on his face.
He left the car-door open behind
him, and the old gentleman coughed
as the cold air struck him.
"Will you be kind enough to close
that door?" he said to the boy who
had left it open.
The boy looked at him with rude
stare.
"Guess you are able to shut it your
self, if you don't like it open,' was
the rude answer.
Charlie had noticed that the old gen
tleman was evidently lame, and as ne
saw that he was about to rise and close
the door himself, he sprang forward
and shut it.
THANK you, SIR" said the old gen
tleman, raising his hat as courteously
as if the favor had been conferred by
any gentleman.
It was q polite deed, politely done
and Charlie was as much of a gentle
man as if he had been well dressed
and ten years older.
Presently the car reached the street
where Charlie wanted to get out, ano
he was surprised to see that the other
passengers, with the exception OF the
old woman. got out too.
"Perhaps this boy is after the same
place am" he thought to himself
II suppose won't have much chance
particularly if he has good references
for he is 80 we'll. dressed that any one
would want him a great deal more
than they would want shabby-look'
ing fellow like me-"
He was rot wrong in his surmise
for when the two boys reached the
store that had advertised for a boy
both of them went into the place
where three other boys were already
waiting.
"Mr. Soovil has not come in yet; ht
will be in pretty soon, and then ht
will see YOU" the clerk told them, anc
they seated themselves to wait with
the rest.
You can imagine the surprise Of thu
two boys who had entered togethe
when the old gentleman who hat
been their fellow-traveler in the horse
car entered, and was addressed as MIR
Scovil by the clerk.
"I've got first class references, but
suppose it is all up with me, and
may as we'll CO." muttered the boy be
side Charlie.
He was right. for as soon as Mr.. SEQ
vil's eye fell upon him, he pointed tt
the door.
"You may 60, sir, for have no us'
for boy who lacks common civillty.
He examined the references of tn
other boys, and dismissed them, ant
then turned to Charlie.
"Have you references ?" he asked.
Charlie explained that he had neve
had place, and so could not produc,
references but he would try to worl
well if he had a chance.
"I think I have seen your refer
ences," said Mr.. Scovil, with a pleas
ant look in the gray eyes that could b
very stern. -,
III rode down in the car with .yot
this morning, and 1 saw enough o
YOU to convince me that you wer'