The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-12

"Why don't they get man?"
questioned Ted.
costs too much money. A boy
who can be trusted to do mans
work is always in demand, you know;
for he comes at half price"
Ted gave a sudden start.
"I've mind to ask for the position
myself" he said.
His friend laughed. He thought
Ted was speaking in jest.
eyes, it would be a fine position for
you," he replied mockingly.
"But I'm in dead earnest" urged
Ted. "What do you suppose they
pay?"
Don't know. Mr.. Brown can tell
you. But, / say, you can't be in ear
nest, old fellow! All the boys would
cut you, you know. 1t would be
precious dreary and lonesome, be-
sides. SO few people go through this
gate, and you'd have to stay from six
in the morning till eight at night"
"Yes, I know it wouldn't be fun"
admitted Ted, wrinkling up his brow.
Would you cut me, Hal?"
"Td have to, in a sense you know.
You'd be separated from us altogeth-
er. What made you take up such
crazy idea? Think of tennis and
base ball, and fishing and bathing ex-
cursions, and let this idea go. What
put the notion in your head, any
wayY
Ted did not explain. His sisters
words were ringing in his heart, but
he felt too proud and shy to confess
his mothers lack of money. Her
failing health was patent to all who
saw her; but no one outside of the
little home circle, so far as he knew,
understood how slender her income
was since these hard times had spread
over the country.
Three days afterward, when the
assembly was formally opened, Ted
Travers sat within the little guard
house at the back gate. He was in
stalled as gate-keeper.
That afternoon group of hand
somely clad youths wished to pass
through the gate. Ted's face flushed
as he asked each to show his ticket.
These lads were all his friends. One
of them, Dick Winter, boy of eigh-
teen years, the son of wealthy par
ents, but known to be fast, had no
ticket.
81 can't let you pass" said Ted
firmly. "These are my orders"
"But no one will know" said Dick,
impatiently. "Ned Usher let me
through last year"
Cant help it. I'm here to obey
ORDERS" said Ted, without ainching.
Mighty good, isn't he9 Wonder
if his mother knows how pious he is"
sneered Dick.
"For shame!" said Hal Wilson,
promptly. I'm glad Ted's got back
bone enough not to let you bluff him.
Dick used his five dollars for cigar
cites last year" he explained to Ted,
"and made Ned let him through with
out ticket"
"How did he manage at the front
gate?" asked some one.
"That's my secret" laughed Dick.
"Come now, let me passl I'll go
shares with you when the cigarettes
come,-a fine brand, and full of nice
pictures" He walked at Ted as lie
spoke.
"No, sir. | don't smoke cigarettes,
and no fellow is going to get through
this gate without a ticket"
Dick clustered, but Ted was firm.
With some ugly words, which Ted
did not like to recall, and with part
ing remark that he would stake time
to make things specially pleasant for
him." he turned back toward his
fathers cottage.
Ted's mother was moved to happy
tears when she knew that her boy had
applied for and obtained the position
of gate keeper. She knew what it
must have cost him.
'I'll be able to buy my new suit of
school clothes, mother, and have
enough left to get you and Nell
nice Christmas present." he said
proudly, after he had answered her
questions.
Whatever it had cost his pride to
seek the position was more than com
pensated by Mrs. Travers' evident
pleasure and relief.
81 am more pressed for money,
dear boy, than you know" she said,
smiling upon him. Anxiety has
much to do with my ill-health. This