The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-10-16
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Wanted---A Boy.

one evening at dinner, when the con-
versation 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 establish
ment in a prosperous Massachusetts
town. He was rich, and growing
steadily richer, for he was as keen and
capable as he was kind and honest;
moreover, 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 80 regularly in the Adams
window, everybody 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 inquiring Boy" came
and went.
"He wants full-fedged angel, with
a dozen pairs of wings; that's what the
old Adam wants." snapped one disap-
pointed fellow, who had been airing his
grievances with little knot of other
Youngsters on the sidewalk in front.
Whatever he wanted, he seemed to
be having a rather hard time in getting
it; but Mr.. Adams had the reputation
of always knowing what he was about,
so no one interfered, though several
were tempted to ask the why and the
wherefore of this freak
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, a trusty, faithful,
capable sub clerk. OF course each
youngster was delighted to find out
that it was not merely boy to run err
rands, but a genuine assistant clerk
that was being sought for. Why the
owner of the establishment should be
willing to take boy instead of one of
the many grown men, who would have
been glad of such place, they could
not understand. But they could under
stand that it was splendid place for a
young fellow just beginning life, and
all were eager to obtain it.
Andrew Mathers stay ed just one day a;
Frank Scolley one hour; Matt Wyman
twenty minutes, and some of the boys
who applied never got further than the
office door and three-minute's inter
view.
What could the matter be? Suppose
we see.
Andrew was bright, pleasant-face
young fellow, and came from good
family. The boys thought that if any
one stood a 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, 80 good.
Mr.. Adams briefly explained tina,
long-felt want, boy to be sort Of
assistant clerk" Andrew held his
head little higher, as if he already saw
himself a real live clerk instead of the
drudging boy of all work that he had
been before. "And to help around
generally, 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 al
hour or two he was busy helping the
clerks. By and by Mr.. Adams came
into the back part of the store where
his new sub-clerk was engaged il
marking keg.
"Almost through there, Mathers?'
he asked. Well, wish you'd tackle
the back store-room. It's in such con
fusion, and we've all been too busy tt
see to it properly"
"You want it put in orde RI" aske,
Andrew, doubtfully. He foresaw NOR
sweeping, etc., than seemed dignifie
for sub-clerk.
Eyes, it needs it decidedly" an tn
merchant passed on. He wonders
how Andrew would hold out; he wa
"the best of the lot, 80 far" he though,
regretfully; for the trial was coming
and, by the boys face, it looked rathe
dubious.
Andrew explored the old back-roon
and decided on what he considered
most brilliant scheme. Calling the Ell
rand boy aside, he told him about tn
storeroom, and showed him brigf
half. dollar. Jim was tempted, and az
cepted the offer, promising to have tn
place ready that afternoon at the earl
est hour possible. But there were 5
many errands to be done, that by thre
O'Clock Jim had found not minute
leisure, and Mr.. Adams, as ill-luc
would have 1t, happened to go TO u
storeroom for something he wante
about that time, and discovered tt
still forlorn condition of matters, an
the fact that Andrew had secretly hire
Jim to do the work, while he loafed
the front of the store, anxious to sho
off the fact of his rise in the bushes
world.
And that night Andrew Mathers r.
ceived days wa es, and politely r.
gretful dismssal-reason unassigned.
Matt was 80 careless in his dres
and his hands were 80 evidently
home with the dust of the earth, tn
with short lecture on cleanliness,
was summarily dismissed.
Joe Mccarthy was too rough. TT
clerks complained of his insOlen'
within half an hour. And Tim M
Carthy, his cousin, proved an invt
crate liar.
So they came and went, good