Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-10-18
A Poor Town for a Job.

Says the Troy Press:
In large village less than a hundr, d
miles from Troy, a youth of about g
years responded to the friendly inquiry
of business man:
mo, | have no work; this is the worst
place know of to get q job"
well. come down to my store at half
past Dine," said the merchant cheerfully;
IL would like to talk with YOU"
Anticipating employment. the boy was
on hand at the hour stated, and pri-
vate conversation took place.
Now, my good lad, did you say that
you say that you tried to get work and
couldh't?"
Yes, sir; have tried for months, but
can't get job. There seems to be no
chance for work in this town"
Are your habits goOd?'
Eyes, they are as good as other boys"
"What other boys?"
why. the 10 about town."
''DO you spend your evenings at
hOme?" pursued the questioner.
well, no, not always "
"Whrre do you spend them?"
Sometimes [ play pool, or am around
down town with my friends"
Now, young man, l want to talk
plainly with you, as l happen to know
more of your habits and ass, Citations
than you suspect. In the first place, YOU
are immOral-a very black mark against
aDybudy. Then you frequent saloons
and pool rooms, and while Won may not
get intoxicated. take an occasional glass
of stimulating beverages The other
night, gong home unusually late, saw
YOU coming from bar room with sever
al Others, and | overheard obscene and
profane language. Do you think bust
ness man, seeing you in such company
1T night, would look with favor upon
>"ur application for job, if you should
II a tp one?'
We'll, l don't know" replied the boy
somewhat crestfallen, but can't a boy
have any fun?"
IF that's what you call fun" con.
tinued the merchant, "you can't have it
ana keep good job, too. They don't
go together. Instead of spending your
evening" as stated, surprising you should
60 the Y. NJ. &. A. rooms, where YOU can
'ad, play games and associate with
many boys who do have jobs and know
how to keep them. The business men
pay their money to support these rooms
aud boy who frequents them and be-
HAYES himself maks good impression
upon them. Besides, you have good
home, and 1 think you could spend
good deal of time there profitably. One
thing is sure, if you don't place any val
ne upon yourself, others will not. If
you are anxious to do better, try the
plan have outlined and see if you can't
get work"
Several months elapsed before the
merchant had chance to talk with the
boy again, but meeting him one day re-
Gently he accosted him pleasantly:
well, how g les it?' Do you get in
earlier now?"
Eyes, sir, and | spend many of my
evenings at the Y. NJ. G. A. rooms. You
may ask my father if have not turned
over new leaf in earnest, and if don't
go to bed early and keep good COM
panv."
"Well, how about job?"
81 got steady one soon after my talk
with you. and my wages were advanced
before had been there two months. l
made up my mind to be a better boy,
and | found that what you said was
true"
This is leaf from real life, and it
turned out well. simply because the
merchant planted seed in good soil. He
might have talked to dozen boys and
done them little or no good if they
lacked character and stamina; but when
this boys eyes were once opened wide to
his folly, he decided to do better and
could not be swervPd from his purpo G
by his former companions.
A boy who cannot draw moral from
this incident is not one likely to adorn
society.