Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-05-20
A LUCKY EVENT.

What l have to record happened
many years ago A series of reverses
had reduced me to level in society
much below that in which | was
born. That it was mainly my own
fault l well know-noY, Fpt e.
the time, | got myself into bitter,
don't care, go-to-the-devll state OF
mind. | Stunned home and friends
/ isolated myself; and proudly de-
termined to hold aloof to the end.
Bit by bit l went down hill. My
slender stock of money disappeared,
my wardrobe books, well-nigh every
thing, followed l became shabby!
2 Then came a series Of horribly hard
times, dearth of food, lack of occupa-
tion or aim. | think l was very
near the end when | received an
offer of a place in an auctioneer's
office. Ny soul rebelled, my heart
sickened at the prospect OF becoming
a clerk; but it was OF no use lighting
against destiny. l beat down my
pride and accepted.
Behold me then an assistant in the
office of Messrs. -- & Co, at sal
ary of 25 shillings week. My duties
were various and progressive-corre-
spondence and general Office work at
first; inventories and sale-clerking as
I acquired more experience; and
lastly the sole charge of one Of the
many departments, my salary raising
to 80 shillings a week. 1t was at this
time. and whilst l was receiving this
muniEcent screw" that the luckiest
event of my life occurred.
had large amount Of outdoor
work to do, and amongst Others had
one very unpleasant task allotted me,
the levying of distraints. That 1t
was useful to me, affording means
of gaining experience Of, and insight
into. life than which none could have
been better, | do not deny 1t led
me amongst all classes, from the
highest to the lowest; it taught me
how much lies beneath the surface,
how the seemingly wealthy are on
the very verge of poverty; it read me
many bitter and heartfelt lesson;
but the occupation was always
utterly. miserabiy distasteful to me.
To plunge unawares upon man,
whether poor or rich, to upset the
uuietude OF the home and peace OF
the family, to have to appear hard
and callo1s when my heart was
nearly bursting with sympathy, was
bitterness itself. felt the work be-
meath me, and for him who feels
that, there is no hope
II want to see you before you go, y
said one of the partners to me as
was arranging some papers on my desk
preparatory to closing for the day,
uYou will have to levy a distress or
Jour way home-you live in Pimlico,
don't yOu?"
eyes, sir" / said, with suppressed
curse at the prospective Job
"Well, you can manage it If you
leave here at sharp--there'll bt
plenty of time"
l went to him ats and received in
structons. / was to levy for arrears
OF rent upon a gentleman-I will cal
him Mr.. Leveson-who had bach
elor suite in one Of the numerous
mansions in Victoria street, West
minister.
II reed scarcely caution you, Mr.
Williams" (the name ! went under
ito be very careful This is specia
job, the first we have received from ;
man who is likely to be very gooC
client In the future. Carry 1t through
to the best of your ability-be firm
but do all you can to suit the con
venience Of Mr. Leveson. Take Z
decent man with you-Johnson j:
about the mark, / should say"
! hunted up Johnson. He was, oil
course, in che public house at the cor
ner; but he was sober, and. | knew
thoroughly trustworthy. Put him il
possession and nothing could remove
him; he would stick like death 10 Z
dead niger. And this is more than
can be said OF all men in his line o.
business
We 49, that is Johnson and /
reached the mansion 10 Victor;
street wherein resided Mr.. Leyeson
lie occupied a suite on the FIRST floor
"Remain here" said n Johnson
III you are required VIII open th'
door and call you >
Il Is not the practice on good job
20 take the man IN when the demand
Is made There Is chance OF bein.
paid out on the spot and 10 that cav
Il Is better 10 depart with the appear
ance Of only having called i0r thl
rent leaving the fact VI The pro
passed levy cut % the question. d
makes a better Impression aud Zen
it does n0t give a hint ca thn tenant
ut Hhat he maY eKpgct whcu nekt /
is soar unpleasant autY tu caltln pef
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