The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-11-12
A BOY WHO WAS WANTED.

est Boys Are Always In Demand.
well, I've found ont one thing"
said Jack, as he came to his mother.
hot, tired and dusty.
what Is that" she asked.
That there are great many boys In
.hc world
Didn't you know that bcforc?"
Partly; but ! didn't know there
were SO many more than are wanted"
what makes you think 500
because I've been round and round
till am 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
n smile. 1T depends entirely on the
kind of a boy. 4 good boy is always
wanted somewhere"
''Well. II I'm good boy, wish
knew where I'm wanted"
Patience, patience, my boy. In
snch great world AS this Is, with SO
many places and SO many boys, it is no
wonder some of them do not find their
places at once. But be very sure, dear"
rs she laid very carcssing hand on his
arm, that every boy who wants n
chance to do fair, honest work will find
it,"
"That's the kind of work | want to
do said Jack II 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 in thirteen years, good
stout hands, and a civil tongue
And mind and heart set on doing
faithful duty" suggested his mother.
II hope So" said Jack. Il rcmem-
Der father used To say: Just us soon as
you undertake to work for anyone,
you must bear in mind that you have
Your time. your strength. your energy
are his, and your best efforts to seek
his interest in every way are his due. ="
The earnest tone in which the boy
spoke seemed to give IN assurance that
he would pay good heed to the words of
the father whose counsel could no
more reach him.
For two or three days longer, Jack
had reason TO hold his opinion that
lIleIS NSIC lhojs ooSS sh1 "oi Nv
wanted. ut the end of which time he
met business man, who, questioning
him closely, said:
"There are u great many applica-
tions for the place, but the greater
number of the boys come and stay IA
short time, and then leave If they
think they can do 4 little better. When
Il boy gets used tn our routes and GUS
toners, we want him tc stay. If you
will agree to stay ut least three years.
we will agree to pay you three dollars
a week as errand boy"
"That is just what I wanted to do,
SIR" said Jack eagerly. SO he was in
stalled, and proud enough he was at
bringing his wages home every Satur-
day night, and realizing that, small rs
they were, the regular help was OF
great value to his mother
It is not to be wondered ut that the
faithful carrying out his fathers ad-
monition after awhile attracted the at
tention not only of his employers, but
of others with whom he was brought
into contact in the pursuit of his duties.
One day he was asked into the Office OF
Mr.. Lang, gentleman to whom he
frequently carried parcels of value.
'Have you ever thought Of changing
your situation?" asked Mr.. Lang.
mo, SIR" said Jack.
perhaps you could do BETTER" said
the other. II want boy who is quicl,
and intelligent, and who can be relied
on, and from what see of you. think
you are that sort of boy. Iwant you
to drive delivery wagon, and ] vii
pay you five dollars week"
Jacks eyes opened wide.
ut is wonderfully good pay. sir. FOL
u boy like me, I'm sure. But l prom
| ised to keep on with Mr.. Hill for thres
years, and the second year is only just
begun"
"Well. have you signed q regular
agreement with Mr. Hip"
mo, sir; told him I would stay"
..You have a mother to assist. 20,
told me. Couldn't you tell Mr. Hi
that you feel obliged to do better whcr
you have chance?"
II don't believe ] could" said jack
looking with his straight, frank gaz'
into the gentlcman's face.
lyon see, sir, if broke my wore
with him shouldn't be the kind of DO,
to be relied on that you want"
II guess You are about right" salt
Mr. Lang, with a laugh. Come ant
see me when your time is ont; dar,
say shall want you then"
Jack went home very much stirret
by what had been said to him.
After all, could it be wrong to e
where he could do SO mech better
Was it not really his duty to obtain II
and to drive a wagon instead of trudg
ing YEARLY along the streets. The.
never felt SO hot and dusty as they di
Just now, when he might escape fror
the tiresome routine. Might, but how
By the sacrifice of his pledged wore
By selling his truth and his honor. s
strongly did the reflection force itsel
upon him that when he told his mothe
of the offer he had received, he merel
added:
ut would be a grand good thing if
could take it; wouldn't it mother?"
"Yes. it would"
.'some boys would change withou
thinking of le ting promise stand i
their way"
"Yes, but that is the kind of boy
who, sooner or later. is not wanted
1t is because you have not been thu
, sort Of boy that you are wante
now"
Jack worked away, doing such goo
t work as.he became more and more a
4 customed to his situation that his mi
= Their sometimes wondered that Mr.. Hill
l who seemed always kindly intereste
3 in him, never appeared to think of raj
, ing his pay. This, however, was ns