Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-04-29

rare chance for young man to feather
| his nest"
They parted, and Harvey was left to
| question of judgment. Sudden promises
| of advancement, however dazzling, I'M
settle one, and the bookkeeper half
wished he did not have it to decide.
But it was fattering. 1t was no small!
affair for a young man to be sought by
such men as C!awson and Smart and
| Trolley. Perhaps this was the chance of
his life. But what would Mr. Kirkland
| say to his Leaving? He felt sure, how
| ever, that the old merchant was too
sensible to stand in the way of young
| mans advancement.
Then, too, mis- being proffered such
place might increase his importance in
| the old fathers eyes and make him more
willing to give him the daughter.
| Prominence was as attractive to Kirkland
as to any one. He never forgot his own
| elevation, and allowed none of his en-
| ploycs to forget it. Harvey had often
/ felt that the old gentleman believed that
he was condescending to speak to him.
| Here was a chance to show him how he
was regarded by others.
But there was the old adage-''a bird
in the hand is worth two in the bush"
Probably it was better to hold to what
| he had, than take the risk of the new
project being successful; and there was
risk, for it was visionary beyond all
| doubt
He hadn't liked some of Cawson's ex-
pressions, "feather his nest" etc.. they
smacked of the slang of schemers; and in
particular, he objected to the criticism
of Kirkland. The merchant was slow and
dreadfully cautious, but the money was
rolling in from customers, who placed
perfect confidence in the cold fogy."
| But, on the other hand, if every one
would follow that old adage there would
be no advancement; in fact, the world
would stand still.
| Thinking the matter over carefully, he
finally decided that his best course was
to eandidly tell Mr.. Kirkland of the pro-
posal and get his advice. So once more
he walked into the library and again was
almost turned from his purpose by the
appearance of the stern, interrogative
face over the newspaper.
"The two weeks are not up yet, " be-
gan the old gentleman, with a sign Of
Impotence.
"I know it, Harvey replied, t'but
have not come to talk of that, although
my decision would now be precisely what
it will be then"
He then explained in detail the offer,
and finished by asking the old merchants
opinion. He pulled his under lip
thoughtfully few minutes before reply
ing:
'Well, Mr.. Harvey, would be sorry
to lose you, but I have always made it
rule not to stand in a young mans way,
and if you think this a good chance, I
will willingly let you CO."
''But do you think it good opening
for me?"
"Mr. Harvey, you must decide this
question yourself. A man shows his
worth principally by his judgment. This
is an important, may say a critical
question, and your own uninduenced de-
cision will be worth a thousand times
more than one made from advice Good,
reliable manhood is built upon the de-
cision of such questions"
Again he picked up his paper and
again Harvey withdrew, knowing no
more than before, except that Kirland
would not stand in his way. What should
he do2 His inclination was to stay with
Kirkland, because man who was to be-
come a law, would surely be made
partner; but on the other hand, did
that show independence? Wouldn't the
old merchant think more of him if he
launched out for himself?
If he rejected the offer, Kirkland might
think him too tinid to meet the respon-
sibility and therefore too timid to have
the care of his daughter.
The next day came note from Claw
son informing him that he must decide
by certain day, which, oddly, was the
next following the night when Mr.. Kir-
land was to render his decision.
That important evening came, and
again Harvey interrupted the old gentle
mans reading. But he looked up this
time without Impotence, motioned
pleasantly to a chair, and, when the
young man was seated, asked:
''Mr. Harvey, We'll dispose of lesser
business matters first. I, of course, am
interested in your new project, because
if you go, must get new bookkeeper;
although" he said, with slight hesita-
ton; 81 have taken it for granted that
you would accept this fattering offer,
and | have already engaged man in
your place.
"You have2" said Harvey in surprise.
Eyes, wasn't it right2 [ didn't sup