South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-01-15
WHAT A SHOVEL DID.

As my friend stoDd 5y the window
watching the 'softly failing sno~,'
saw him smiles thoughtful yet .
happy smile, AMI anxious 70 know
what brought Il. I asked:
What do you see out there
Myself. vac the snswsr that made
mo stare 10 susprlse. ~ / joined
him and looked curlously into the
street.
All ! saw was . man shoveliug
snow and. thoroughly puzzled, I turn
cd TO RchArd. dem ending N expla-
na'ion. He laughed and answered
readily:
While We wait for Kate and the
children TIL tell you q little sdvsn-
turs OF mine. Il may DO useful 10
you scms day:
Fifteen years ago, on . Sunday
morning Ike this. I stood at the win-
dow 81 . dreless. shabby little room.
without one cent in my pocket, and
no pr0spsct Of getting one.
! had gone supperless to he'd. and
speut the long night asking. What
shall ] do and received no reply
bu, that which /. 60 hard Tor eager
youth TO accept 'wait and irust.'
was alone in tho world, with M
fortune but my own talent, and even
that was beginning to doubt. be.
cause 1t brought no money. For q
year had worked and hoped with a
brave spirit; had written my life into
poem, and tales; tried a play; tnrn-
ed critic, aud reviewed books; offer
ed my pen and time to any Que who
you'll employ them, and now was
ready for the hardest literary work
and the poorest pay. for starvation
stared me in the face.
All my ventures failed. and my
paper boats freigbtsd With so many
high hopes. went down ono after an.
other. leaving me To de.p.ir. The
last wreck lay on my table-novel
worn with much journeyins to and
fro. on which I bal stakei my last
chance and lost 1t.
As ] stood there at my window,
cold and hungry, solitary and'iespair-
ing. said TO myself 10 . desperate
mood:
It is all mistake; I have no tai.
ent. and ifers is no room in the world
for me. so The quicker I ge. Out OF it
the better.
just then li.tle chap came from!a
gate opposite with q shovel on his
shoulder, AMI trudgsd away, whist
ling shrilly, TO look for . Job. I
watched him out Of the windo~, think.
Ing bitterly:
Nov look 81 the injustice OF it !
Here am I young man full OF
brainsJ s'arviug because no ous will
give me q chance; and there 10 that
ignorant little follow making o living
with an old shovel.
just then o voice seemed to answer
me, saying;
Why don't you do the same II
brains dou't pay. try muscles, aud
thank heaven that you have health.
Or course IL was only my own
pluck and common sense: but I de-
clare to you 1 was much stuck by
che new idea as II Q strange voice had
actually spoken; and answered
heartily: As I live, I will try i'll end
not give up while thers is suy honest
work for these hauds TO dol
Wish s.dd'n energy I put on my
sbabbteet clothes--and they we're We.
~ shabby, Of course added en- old
esp and rough comforter a. disguise,
snd stole doWn 20 the shed where
had seen . shovel.
l was tTyl0g 70 decide u which of
ths tell bouses 10 apply fret. when
the door Of one opened and . pretty
housemaId appeared, broom In hand.
Ny shovel explained my mission,
and she bsokoned With an impsrious
movement % her dnster 20 The shabs
by man opposite. J pIOwed soross
aud Focsivsd IN silence the order:
Clear them steps and sidewalk.
and svsep en- nice for our tolks 81
Ways 60 % church, rain or shine.
Then, leaving her broom outside,
the pretty maid slammed the door
With . shivsr. aud I fell 70 work man.
fully. IL wa = heavy job and my
hands uuused 20 any heavier tool than
. pen we're soon biIstsred.
l was . Young fellow and, In spite
OF my late despair, the fun OF the
thing ticklsd ms immensely, aud I
laughed bshind my old tippst as I
shoveled aud swept With vigog that
caused the stout cook 10 smile upon
me.
When the JOB Was dooe aud I went
TO the lower door for my we'll earned
pay, the maid said