The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-07
PAUL'S AWAKENING.


rough, we have decided, owing to mat
tiers Of which you are probably SIS we'll
aware as we, that we will not need you
any longer. AS soon as you can secure
employment elsewhere we shall expect you
to resign your position with u.s.
Il really don 't--don t understand you,"
was the reply. Have you discovered any
errors in the books:''
None at all-none at ALL We would be
perfectly willing to indorse certificate of
your honesty and proficiency as an ac-
countant What refer to is an entirely
different thing
The fact is, we have found that YOU
sre heavily indebted in various parts of
the city, much more than We desire any
one in our employ to be. Several firms
where you have consi aerable accounts
standing for some time have applied to US
to secure them. This we cannot do
Il think that this thing bas-has been
exaggerated. F" stammered the young man.
- But as you may have other reasons for
wishing TO discharge NE will go at once"
And then Paul Williams, telling, as
people always do who have met with the
penalty OF their indiscretion, that be had
been dealt with uniustly, walked away.
toward distant hill, wherein lay the city
cemetery, and half an hour later he was
walking up the hill with long. sweeping
strides, totally Indifferent to the fact that
the dust of the road was destroying the
polish of his shapely shoes which that very
morning he had pat en- with SO much
care.
Paul Williams was man of five and
twenty, and for four years had held the
position from which he had now been SD
suddenly dismissed.
Though he had no habits which could
have been called really bad, he unfortu-
nately possessed traits of character which
kept hiTa from succeeding as his friends
had just reasons TO expect. He was one Of
the members of band OF Young men who,
though not dissipated, had formed the
dangerous habit of spending money as fast
or faster than they earned it,.
Some two years before he had begun to
pay his attentions to a young lady, who
was now his betrothed, and wishing most
of all not to appear mean in the eyes of the
woman he loved be had often made pres
ents and spent money upon her when she
would have respected him just as much,
perhaps more, if he had kept his purse
closed
The young man might not have come to
grief had it not been for another habit
moro seductive and infinitely more dan
gerous than all the others-the practice Of
running into debt heedlessly and without
thought. 1t had always been failing
with him, but within a year it had grown
stronger than ever.
All these things presented themselves to
Paul Williams in their true light for tho
first time as he sat alone in the silent
cemetery. After a time he came to feel
that the action of his employers, harsh as
1t might seem, was not without cause.
First of all he would draw what money
he had in the bank, and as far as possible
pay what money he owed, and then he
would so away from Johnsport and try to F,
find something TO do which would enable /
him to pay the rest.
Two hours later Paul Williams sat in 1
his room with package Of bills, on each /
OF which was the ominous letters ''dr. "
on one hand and on the other a roll of
banknotes. All told, he was in debt 500.
Then he turned and counted the bills
before him. There was less than $i00, Q
little more than half what he owed.
After hasty dinner he once more sailed
out on the street, and visiting each of his
creditors paid what he could, until not a
dollar remained in his pocket.
Paul, said the junior member of the
firm as he handed him a check, I'm con-
sorry about this thing. It's a
business from beginning to end,
and if could have had my way about it,
Did boy. IL would not have happened.
wired n friend 10 in Wisconsin, who wrote
me- some time since that he wanted a
good bookkeeper, that If tbs place was not
already filled I could find capital man
'or him. ] have just received an answer,
which says, Let him come at once so il
you want &c 60 you are not out all around.
What say you?"
Il VIII go at once-tonight, was tho
prompt reply.
Paul's hardest task still lay before him
to see his intended wife and TO tell her
III The young man told his story openly
md frankly emitting nothing and con-
ealing nothing.
He told of the opportunities that lay be-
ore him and Of tho sacrifices he was de-
ermincd to make until he had paid every
,ont, but there would be q stain upon his
name, and If she wished she was free to
Freak the engagement between them ct
NICE
But IL he had thought that she would
axe such n step be was destined to be
happily disappointed, for her reply was:
Paul, although 1 have feared for long
ime that something like this was going
o happen, don & want TO be free from
ou, because-because / love you. Go
way, do the best you can and, come what
nay, know that there is one who trusts
ou and is waiting for you"
When year had passed, he had paid
verything and was beginning to save.
BESIDES he had dropped all of his foolish
irs and habits and become in every way
moro manly and independent.
One day near the close of his second
ear the young bookkeeper and his en-
loyer were talking together when the lat
or said:
Paul, am thinking of taking IN q
artncr- My business is growing so fast
hat it needs two TO attend to it, and /
rant some ono that thoroughly under
lands it. Have you been able TO save
,uch since you came out here? You must, !
,r you haven t any expensive habits"
At first the yonng man blushed and
eemed slightly confused. bat recovering ,
imseif he told his employer in a few
ords how he had come 10 leave johns
0rt and in what way the most Of his
lonoy had been spent since that time.
This is a surprise to me. - was the re- =
IL, vet | am not sorry TO hear il, for it
lows that you have the right stuff in
ou"
Paul Williams is now the master of a
leasant home and far on the road 10
eaith, hur lie hos rot foTCatterl the hitter