The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-12-26
WANTED-A BOY.
BY JEAN HALIFAX.

how already; for Mr.. Winchester is a
business man now, and is very fond OF |
telling this story But, if you have not
heard it, I'll tell you as nearly as L can
in the way he gave it to us one evening |
at 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- !
lishmcnt in a prosperous Massachusetts
town. He was rich, and growing steadl-
ly richer, for he was as keen and ca
pable as 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
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
ard shone on that square little sign the
in1uiring boy" came and went.
'<He 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, a trusty, faithful, capable
sub-clcrk. 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-
Establishment should be willing to take
n 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
splendid place for a young fellow just
beginning life, and all were eager to OBJ
tain 1t.
Andrew Mathers stayed just one day;
Frank Scolley one hour; Matt Wyman
20 minutes, and some of the boys who
applied never got further than the office
door and three minutes interview.
What could the matter be? Suppose
we see.
Andrew was bright, pleasant-faced
young fellow, and came from good
no hat
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-likc manner. So far SO good.
Mr.. Adams briefly explained that
lorg-felt want, "a boy to be sort OF as
sistant clerk" Andrew held his head Il
little higher, as If he already saw him
self real live clerk instead of the
Grudglng 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
he was busy helping the clerks. BY and
byMr. Adams came into the back part
of the store where his new sub-clerk
was engaged in marking key.
almost through there, Mathers?' he
asked. "Well, 1 wish you'd tackle tie
back storeroom. It's in such confusion,
and we've all been too busy to see to 1t
properly"
"You want it put in order?" asked An
drew, doubtfully. He foresaw more
sweeping, etc, than seemed dignified for
O sub-clerk.
Yes, it needs it decidedly" and the
merchant passed on. He wondered how
Andrew could hold out; he was 1.-The
hest of the lot, SO far" he thought, re-
gretfully. 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 6
most brilliant scheme. Calling the err
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 minute:
leisure, and Mr.. Adams, as ill-lucl
would have it, happened to go to thu
storcroom for something he wanted
about that time, and discovered the still
forlorn condition of matters, and tn,
fact that Andrew had secretly hireC
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 bushes.
world.
And that night Andrew Mathers re
ceived a days wages, and politel,
rcgretful dismissal - reason unas
signed.
1t was almost two weeks after tn
sign had first gone up that Charlie.
Winchester applied at the Office.
In oil that time no boy had seemed t.