The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1894-11-30

beyond the doorway. "What il he
brings the wrong kind of feather and /
the trimmin' store won't take it i
backl"
"If you will tell me what kind Of a
feather you want. Mrs. Bates" said t
Abe politely, 'I'll do my best to suit c
you"
swell, it was an oystrich feather !
was thinkin' Of gittin'. l amt had {
one for twenty year; and purple is in
style agin."
San as-I think l know what you
want, Mrs. Bates" said Abe, forbear-
ing with instlctive delicacy to pro-
nounce the word correctly so soon
after it had been mispronounced.
"You think you won't forgt that
its to be purple?" repeated the old
woman.
Abe assured her that he would bring
her what she wanted. Then he took
up his burden and trudged Off"
"You look kind of tired out, Abe"
his mother said when he came home
to change his clothes before starting
to the city. "You aren't sick, are
you, dear"
"No, mother, only sick of waiting
for something to do" answered Abe
cheerlessly. 81 wonder if it will never
come know people think it is all
my own fault; that l have no energy
or pluck. I'm beginning to feel"
"IIush, Abe! know you've plenty
of energy. Igucss waiting is as much
a part of living as working-waiting
and keeping ones purpose fixed, ard
doing meanwhile, as well as one
can do, the work that falls to ones
hands,"
Abc's mother sympathized with
him, and it was her cheerful, sunny
words that helped him to endure the
hardness of his fortunes.
The particular opportunity that
Abe Grayson was waiting for now was
a clerkship in the DennytOwn bank.
1t was known to a few that q new
man was needed ut the bank, and Abe
had made application for the place
through his friend Mr.. Long, the
cashier.
When he had transacted his busi-
ness in the market that day he called
at the bank for a word with Mr. Long.
81 hope you won't think me impa-
: tient," he said, apologizing for in
truding in business hours; "but /
should like very much to know If there
be a prospect of anything favorable
for me-"
Mr.. Long was mlld-looking man
in middle life He mad been friend
/, of Abe's fathers, and had much SYM
pathy for Abe.
=, "To be frank with you, Abe, my
boy" he said now, speaking very kind
ly. "I'm afraid your chances are not
very good. I'm inclined to think the
' president has some one in view for the
place. But cheer up, Abe" noticing
the YOUTHS lll-concealcd depression
> "your time will come by-and-by. You
are still yonng, you know"
Abe thanked Mr.. Long for taking
an interest in his affairs, and was sOOr
!, on the street again, trying to bear his
= fresh disappointment as blavely as he
;. had borne previous ones. If only h'
:. himself had been concerned he fell
y that he could have endured the wait
v ing better More than half his bitter
y ness was vague, secret dread of dis
. appointing his family or his friends.
He was coming out of a Main stree
y shop when a familiar voice called out
. "IIello, Abe!
= "Hello, John !" returned Abe, grasp
. ing the extended hand of his hand
~ some, wcll-dressed schoolmate, whom
= he had not seen for several months.
. "You are the very boy | want Il
see, Abe" said John Edgar. "Com'
u along. We have a half holiday at on
place, AMI have two tickets for al
= entertainment that some of the Den
!" nytOwn society ladies arc giving 70
- charity"
y John was quite genial and friendly
= = and there was something in the ton
I" of his voice that chaered Abe ant
20 loosened his tongue as the two walked
/" along the streets towards the hal
70 where the entertainment was held.
=, you've given me a great treat
:. john" said Abe, after the perform
! ancc, when the two were walkin
N homeward.
70 "I'm glad you liked it, Abe" sal
John Edgar. "By the way, ABB
/. there may be an opening In our offit
70 In the course of a week. WOuldn
4 you like to put in bid? There
a nothing like trying, and situation
:, won't seek you. Of course, you coul
y. not fill the position that will be VI
cant; you'd have to begin low dowI
~ as I did"
II shouldn't mind beginning low
nc said Abe, eagerly. I'm only want
be begin. Who is going to leave?"
cr "I'll tell you, but you mustn't me
,le tion 1t, Abe. To be sure, it's all u
Dr. certainty yet; but II l can get som
thing that I'm trying for, l'in goiI
lu- TO leave. Not that I'm dissatishe
es, But I think insurance Is not quite