Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-16
NOBEL MIssloNAnr woRK.
Efforts of Wilmington Merchant TO BE
eft Young Men.


Wilmington has merchant whose
interest in young men is earnest and
commendable Almost every evening
he visits cigar store where many
young men congregate and he manifests
his sociahility by participating in the
conversation and occasionally taking a
hand at the seductive game Of Nancy
Dawson" or auction pitch. Some of the
young men are trifle wild and his ef.
forts To induce them to cease sowing
wild oats have caused him to be re-
garded somewhat of a missionary. His
advice is always listened to attentively,
even if not followed, and in some in-
stances his influence has had good eff
feet. He is held in high esteem by these
young men and his influence over some
of them undoubtedly was gained BY his
| lack of narrowmindedness, which is IL
Illustrated by his sanction of a sociable
| game Of cards. His efforts to do good
are often accompanied by philanthropy.
Two of the Young men in question
| were noted for their spendthrift quail
ties, and to reform them in that respect
| the merchant volunteered to deposit 50
to the credit of each if they would
promise to put in bank each week the
sum of So. One accepted; his bene-
factor promptly deposited S5 in Will
mington Savings Bank TO his credit and
since then the beneficiary has banked
regularly $2 weekly.
To young man addicted to intern
perance the merchant promised q Ger
tain sum weekly if he would cease
drinking. "When do you want me to
begin?" the young man inquired. "To-
night" the merchant replied. 81 am
sorry, but cannot accept your offer,
the young man said, "bccause have to
attend the meeting Of the Saturday
| night Club tomorrow evening" This
club is composed of young men who
meet nearly every Saturday evening
and together make round of the sa-
looms.
One young man, who was penniless
was anxious to go to New York etc
obtain employment" "If you will re.
main there said the merchant, who
suspected that the young man was of q
disconnected nature and would moi
stay, Il will take you" The young
man pleaded his anxiety to secure EN-
ployment in New York and declarcC
that if he could get there he would re
main. He pleaded so hard that thu
merchants doubts were dispelled ant
the latter, saying he intended to go tt
New York in a few days, promised t
take him along. The couple started to
gether in a morning train, tile merchan
providing transportation Tor his com
panion. On their arrival in New 1orl
they separated. Early that evening tn,
merchant was summoned down stair
in the hotel at which he was stopping
and was surprised to find his companion
Of the morning awaiting himan was sur
prised more when the latter asked hin
if he would not get him his supper
The merchant being SO extremely kim
hearted could not say no and taklnl
the young man to restaurant ha'
him fed. Going down stairs the mex
morning the merchant was amazed 4
find the young man again awaiting hin
and when the latter asked for breakfas
his patience was sorely taxed. Withou
exhibiting sign Of how he felt he too
, the amazingly cheeky young man 10th
restaurant again and, paying for hi
breakfast in advance, babe him good
day hurried back to the hotel, calle
for his grip and sought another stoppin
place. During the following day tn
merchant returned to this city and i'm
mcdiatcly after his arrival the deceit 9
: humanity dealt him stunning blow
One of the first acquaintances he me
! was the young man he had taken
4 New York. The young mans fac
r crimsoned and as they passed neithe
r spoke To this day the merchant ha
Q not solved the problem how the younl
1 man got back, but he imagines he eithC
l walked or came by freight,
This aggravating and amusing exper
: ence naturally caused the merchant
J, ardor for philanthropic work to cool bt
. has not caused him to give up the wor
:, entirely.