The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-07-27
EXPERIENCE WITH TRAMPs.

Perry Dakin had been eagerly scan
ming the Help Wanted" columns Of the
daily papers for several days. He need
ed something to do His father had
died after a brief illness, leaving no
property and a widow and two little
girls, besides Perry. The boy must
care for them. He was seventeen
years old, strong and active.
Perry faced the situation manfully.
He had intended to go to college, but
be gave up his high hopes without be-
moaning He procured some good let
tiers from men who knew him well,
vouching for the sturdy character that
he had proved.
He was ready to do any honest work
that boy of his years and inexperience
could do to earn even a small salary.
Dale day he read this notice in a paper
published in the city where he lived:
r Wanted-A young man Of from eight
cen to twenty years of age for a re-
sponsible position a few miles from the
city. No previous experience required.
Must come well recommended as to
character, and be ready to go to work
at once. Call between nine and eleven
this morning at 2G9 B street, Room H.
Perry was at 200 street, armed
with his letters, and standing at the
door tef room IA at eight O'clock, where,
by lime, twenty-five boys and men had
formed in line. Perry was third in
line. ...,
At nine o'clock the door. was opened
by an elderly man, who gave an excla-
nation Of surprise when he saw how
many. We're waiting. Then he said:
We'll, First come. first. served
Sorry I can't employ all of you, but I
need only one. I'll talk with you"
He nodded toward tall young man
at the head of the line, who stepped
briskly into the room, and the door was
closed.
The young man came out five min
utes later looking a little crestfallen.
Then the gentleman came to the door
and said, Next"
The next young man came out, too,
and then it was Perry's turn.
He was asked regarding his age and
family, and his recommendations were
examined.
Those are all good,'' said the gentle
man. "Now do you know where Lake
Window is?'
YES sir"
If 1 engaged you, I would want you
to go out there and stay until October"
Very well, SIR
Have you ever been out there?"
Yes, sir; I went out there to a pic
mic one day last summer
There are picnic parties at the lake
nearly every day from the middle of
tn nh
The owners Of the lake and grounds
take charge of the boats that are hired
out by the hour to picnic parties, and
collect the charges.
There are some other things to be
done, but nothing that boy of your
. age could not do. But I want to tell
you beforehand that you would have
lonely time of it at night" .....
. Wouldn't there be any one else there
at night but mysef?"
No; you would be entirely alone
There is a cafe there, and a peanut
stand or two, and man who takes tin
types. But these people go to thei]
homes in Crofton, a town about a mile
from the lake, at night. We should
want you to stay at the grove for sew
eral reasons. l think you'd be safe
enough, but it would be lonesome"
Yes, l suppose so," replied Perry
visions of long, lonely nights passed
through his mind; but his need O.
money was urgent.
III be glad to go if the paw suit
me-" he said.
We'll, I will give you ten dollars
week and your board at the cafe an,
ticket on the railroad, so that yo7
can come to the city every Saturda,
night and stay until Monday morning.
1t was more than Perry expected
He had not hoped to receive nor
than seven or eight dollars week TO
anything an inexperienced boy like him
self could do.
Thank you, SIR" he said II vii
report for duty tomorrow morning"
All right. There is to be big pic
mic party out at the lake tomorrow
and the young man who had charge Q
the boats and swings last year will z
out with you and instruct you in you
duties. I would like you to go out o
the seven o'clock train. Call here q
about three this afternoon and &c
your railroad ticket for six months"
Lake Window, twenty miles from tn
city, was a clear, deep body of waite
about three-foulths Of a mile long an
half a mile wide The grass grew t
the very edge of the water all arount
and at one side was large and prett
grove fitted up for picnic parties thu
paid for the use of the grounds.
There were thirty-fve or forty sma
boats for hiring out at fifty cents a
hour to picnickers. 1t was Perry's dut
to take full charge of these boats an
to collect the money for their use
There were some swings with be
seats for four persons near the boat
Ten cents q haf-hour was charged f,
T. the swings. Then there was bowli1
alley in charge of young man name
Hale, who lived in Crofton. He wei
to his home every evening, after tur
ing over the receipts of the bowling .
ley to Perry.
The total sum thus placed in Perry
charge sometimes amounted to sevent
five dollars. #asz :.
Perry'S situation was a pleasant III