The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-12-12
WANTED-A BOY.
BY JEAN HALIFAX.

y
telling this story. But, if you have not
heard it, I'll tell you as nearly as can
in the way he gave it to us one evening
st dinner, when the conversation had
turned on making ones way in life"
Old Mr.. Adams-for SO he was called
to distinguish him from young Adams,
his son, who was in partnership with
him owned large hardware estab-
lishment in prosperous Massachusetts
town. He was rich, and growing steadi-
ly richer, for he was as keen and ca
pabe us he was kind and honest; more
over, he had the reputation of being the
best OF employers toward those in his
service. So that when day after day
that sign: "Wanted--a Boy" appeared
so regularly in the Adams window
rybody wondered why the boy wasn't
found.
1t certainly wasn't for lack of boys.
There was a steady stream of them
passing through the doorway day after
day. Sometimes they left in less than
ten minutes; sometimes they stayed all
day. But as regularly as the sun rose
and shone on that square little sign the
inluiring "boy" came and went.
"IIe wants full-fedged angel, with
dozen pairs of wings; that's what the
old Adams wants." snapped one disap-
pointed fellow, who had been airing his
grievances with little knot of other
youngsters on the sidewalk in front.
The boys were shown one by one into
his office; and one by one were told
what it was that Mr.. Adams wanted.
That was, trusty, faithful, capable
sub-clerk. OF course each youngster
was delighted to find out that it was not
merely boy to run errands, but gen
uine assistant clerk that was being
sought for. Why the owner Of the es
tablishment should be willing to take
boy instead of one of the many grown
men, who would have been glad of such
a place. they could not understand.
But they could understand that it was
a splendid place for young fellow just
beginning life, and all were eager to OBJ
tain it.
Andrew Mathers stayed just one day;
Frank Scolley one hour; Matt Wyman
30 minutes, and some of the boys who
door and three minutes interview.
What could the matter be? Suppose
we see.
Andrew was a bright, pleasant-faced
young fellow, and came from good
family. The boys thought that if any.
one stood chance, that one would be
Andrew.
"Good morning, SIR" said Mr..
Adams, politely, as Andrew entered the
office. And the boy answered with his
best bow and with his most courteously
business-like manner. So far SO good
Mr.. Adams briefly explained that
long-felt want, "a boy to be sort of as
sistant clerk" Andrew held his head H
little higher, as if he already saw him.
self q real live clerk instead of the
drudgIng boy of all work that he had
been before. "And to help around gen
orally, for odds and ends" The young
fellows face fell. That sounded rather
too much like an errand boys work,
But he frightened up and asked where
he should begin. For an hour or two
ne was busy helping the clerks. By and
byMr. Adams came into the back part
| of the store where his new sub-clerll
was engaged in marking leg.
almost through there, Mathers?" he
| asked. "Wcll, | wish you'd tackle the
| back storeroom. It'sin such confusion,
! and we've all been too busy to see to it
property"
"Nou want it put in order?" asked An
drew, Gouhtfully. lie forcsaw more
| sweeping. etc, than seemed dignifcd for
a sub-clerk.
Yes, it needs it decidedly;" and the
merchant passed on. lie wondered how
| Andrew could hold out; he was the
best of the lot, so far" he thought. re-
gretfulIy. For the trial was coming,
and by the boys face it looked rather
dubious.
Andrew explored the back room,
| and decided on what he considered a
most brilliant scheme. Calling the er-
rand boy aside. he told him about the
storeroom and showed him bright
half-dollar. jim was tempted, and ac'
cepted the offer, promising to have the
place ready that afternoon at the earli'
est hour possible. But there were sc
many errands to be done that by three
o'clock Jim had found not a minutes
leisure, and Mr.. Adams, as ill-lucE
would have it, happened to go to the
storeroom for something he wanted
about that time, and discovered the still
forlorn condition of matters. and the
fact that Andrew had secretly hirct
Jim to do the work, while he loafed il
the front of the store, anxious to show
off the fact of his rise in the business
world.
And that night Andrew Mathers re
ceived a days wages. and politel.
regretful dismissal - reason unas
signed.
1t was almost two weeks after tn
sign had first gone up that Charlie,
Winchester applied at the office.
In all that time no boy had seemed t.
suit. Evidently the need was not
pressing one; there We're plenty o
clerks, seemingly, and fairly good eI
rand boy. The Adams store seemed
able to exist without that peculiar kint
| of n hOv and vet IFS Ownc rs were ST il