Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-06-02
PROVEN A HERO.
Why Harold Dean Secured Position HI
Wanted SO Badly.

Why Harold Dean Secured a Position He
Wanted So Badly.
I'm afraid, Harold. you are almost
too young to obtain the situation.
There will be so many applicants, great,
strong boys, that my little son will
stand but poor chance, fear"
Mrs. Dean sighed YEARLY as she kept
mending the well-worn jacket. They
We're very poor. Five years previously
the husband and father was killed by a
railroad accident. One of those dread
full calamities where a man in the full
vigor of health bids his dear ones good
by, and ere nightfall is brought home
mangled and lifeless.
Mrs. Dean worked bravely, managing
to exc out scanty living for her two
little ones, Kate and Harold. It was a
long, bitter struggle, and, now that
Harold was almost fourteen, he was
anxious to help his mother. He was go
ing out in answer to an advertisement
in one of the morning papers:
wANTED.-For Office work, a bright, intel
ligent boy. Must be good penman well rec
omm ended and neat in person. Apply -
Row Room 16
Harold was unusually small tor his
age. One would suppose he was not
more than tw elve years. This was a
great disappointment to the boy. who
was naturally anxious to be of some
assistance to his mother.
He thought it great pity that poor
boy should be so small of statue. He
called to mind several of the boys in his
Sunday-school class of the same age,
who were a head taller than he. One
boy in particular whose mother APP
peared anxious to keep him little fell
low, dressing him in knee-pants and
Fauntleroy collars
''Of course reasoned Harold, elf a
boys parents are wealthy he can afford
to be a boy, but if he is as poor as I,
with little mother sitting up far into
the night sewing, he can't stay little
very long. He wants to grow fast and
be man.
''Must be a good penman, well recon-
mended and neat in person"
He read it over and over again. He
thought that he answered all the ere
dentials. There was only one draw
back He was such little fellow, he
was afraid no one would employ him.
The little jacket being mended and
brushed Harold put it on, and, although
his clothing was well worn, he certain
ly looked meat in person"
Never mind, mother dear" he said,
encouragingly, as he stopped to kiss
her. perhaps the gentleman will think
as you do. That the best goods are done
up in small parcels"
Mrs. Dean looked sadly after the re-
treating figure.
''What a dear, good boy!" she muir
INJURED fondly. land how thankful /
should be for such son. / must try to
get this work finished in time she add
ed $50 that I can make little short
cake for his lunch. He will be tired,
poor boy, and perhaps slight
trembling of the lips, disappointed and
discouraged, no doubt"
In the meantime Herold was walking
briskly down the street. 1t was a cold
day and, having nothing to protect him
from the weather but the little jacket
his mother had just mended, he walked
very quickly to keep warm.
1t was a long walk before him, but
hope was in his breast, and to the young
there is no better incentive to push on
ward.
Coming home he might feel the cold
more, but not now, laying plans for
the future and building air castles.
Perhaps he would get the situation.
If he could only earn three dollars a
week. 1t would pay the rent, what a
help that would be to mother. She
might then be able to take little Kate
to that celebrated oculist that could do
so much for the pretty blue eyes that
were growing weaker each day. Those
wide-open. blue eyes that the doctors in
the free dispensary thought probable OF
their being closed forever from Gods
blessed sunlight.
Yes. it meanta great deal. the obtain
ing of situation to this brave little lad
trudging manfully along.
Hello Shorty called little street
urchin in familiar tone. ''Where you
going?"
This was painful reference to Har-
Odds size just at time when he was
feeling particularly big.
No. - Row. He had reached his
destination at last. His heart beat
faster as he looked up at the great tall
building 1t was very early.
THE boss would not be down for an
hour" SO the janitor said.
There were several boys waiting, the
number rapidly increasing until over
fifty had called in answer to the adver-
tisement.
Several Of the boys amused them
selves by humming snatches of popular
street songs, others smoked cigarettes,
while not few INDUCED in profane
language at their being obliged to wait.
One big fellow in comforta BILE, dark
gray overcoat, noticing Harold's anx-
ious expression, undertook to ridicule
him by inquiring if he had forgotten
his coat.
At this remark many of the boys
laughed loudly. Poor Harold, he could