Middletown transcript., 1895-10-19

YSSMS lS4SaE indeed of telling
MAN&Se@zAS this story. But
&FkISsSNSS9 if you have not
heard It, Ill tell you as nearly as car
in the way he gave it to us, one even.
ing at dinner, when the conversation
had turned on "making ones way in
life."
Old Mr.. Adams-for so he is called to
distinguish him from young Adams,
his son, who was in partnership with
him-owned large hardware estab-
lishment in a prosperous Massachu-
setts 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 be-
ing the best of employers toward those
in his service. So that when day af-
ter day that sign, "Wanted-a Boy"
appeared SO regularly in the Adams
window, everybody wondered why the
boy wasn't found.
It certainly wasn't for lack of boys.
There was steady stream of them
passing through the doorway. day af-
ter 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 lit.
tie sign, the inquiring "Boy" came
and went,
.'He wants full fledged angel, with
dozen pairs of wings; that's what
the old Adam wants." snapped one
disappointed fellow, who had been air.
ing his grievances with a little knot
of other youngsters on the sidewalk in
front.
Whatever he wanted, lie seemed to
be having hard time in getting IT.
but Mr.. Adams has the reputation oi
always knowing what he was about,
60 no one interfered, tho several were
tempted to ask the why and the where.
fore of this freak.
The boys we're shown one by one iu.
to 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 youngstel
was delighted to find out that it was
not merely boy to run errands, but 9
genuine assistant clerk that was being
sought for. Why the owner of the es-
tablishment should he willing to take
boy instead Of one of the many grown
men, who would have be, n glad oi
such a place, they could not under.
stand. But they could understand
that it wasa splendid place for young
fellow just beginning life and all were
eager to obtain it.
Andrew Mathers stayed just one
day; Frank Scolley one hour; Matt
Wyman twenty minutes, and some ol
the boys who applied never got fur
ther 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 a gooi
family. The boys thought that if any
one stood a chance, that would be An
drew.
"Good-morning, sir" said Mfr. Ad
ANS, politly, as Andrew entered tht
Office. And the boy answered witt
his best bow and with his most court
eously businesslike manner. So far 81
good.
Mr.. Adams briefly explained tht
long-felt want, "a boy TO be a sort o.
assistant clerk" Andrew held hil
head little higher, as il he already
saw himself a real live clerk instead O.
drudging boy of all work that he hat
been before. "And to help around
generally, for odds and ends" TIL,
young fellows face fell. That sounded
rather too much like an errands boyi
work. But he frightened up an(
asked where he should begir. For al
hour or two he was busy helping tn,
clerks. By and by Mr.. Adams cam,
into the back part of the store wher,
his new sub-cleIk was engaged il
marking keg.
"Almost through there, Mathers?'
he asked. "Well wish you'd tackl,
the back stOreroom. It's in such con
fusion, and we've all been so busy I,
see to it PROPERLY
"You want it put i'm order?" asket
Andre !, doubtfully. He foresaw NOR
sweeping, etc., than seemed dignifes
for a sub-clerk.
.Yes, it needs it decidedly" ant
the merchant passed tn. lie wondere:
how Andrew would hold out; he wa
"the bes. of the lot, so far" he though
regretfully. For the trial WAS comm,
and by the boy IS face Le looked rathe
dubious.
Andrew explored tie old back room
and decided on what he considered
most brilliant schtmp. Calling the er
rand boy aside, he told him about tn
storeroom, and showed him d brigh
half dollar. Jim WAS tempted, and &C
cepted the offer, promising 10 have th
place ready that afternoon at the ear
liest hour possible. But there were s.
many errands to lie done, that by thre
O'Clock Jim had found not a minute
leisure, and Mr.. Adams, as Ill lucl
would have it. happened to go to th
storeroom for something be wante'
about that time, and discovered th
| ,f;u forolorn cond n ion s,f matfara, n m,