Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-09-29

the ache left his heart, as he assured
himself that there was no occupation
so menial that he would not welcome
it for his mothers sake.
There was one offer that he had de-
clined. 1t was to canvass for o pic
torial volume. He could not recall
the name. He remembered that in
his former home the servants were al
ways instructed to dispose as speedily
as possible of all such applicants, and
he had never seen any house where
canvasser were welcomed. He was
glad to think he had always been sorry
for those poor people.
Now everything else had failed, and
he could not go home again with the
old story of hard luck. His mother
was growing weak and i'll for the lack
of the nourisheng food she had all her
life been accustomed to, and he could
MT bear it another day.
ELe would canvass for this book. If
folks slammed their doors in his face,
he would try to be ashamed of them,
and not of himself 1t was d ahard job,
and when at last, equipped with his
book and his circulars, he climbed the
first fight of steps to the doorbell, he
was in state of excitement which
none but the sensitive can ever under
stand. But he rang the bell, and the
summons was answered.
81 have a book to show the lady of
the house, please" said Albert, polite
ly, but firmly.
go show it to the cobble-stones, :"
was the inspiring answer. "The lady
OF the house amt in"
And bang went the door.
1t would take too long to relate the
varied experiences of this amateur can
vasser, but out OF three hours consec-
utive and conscientious ringing of
bells, Albert managed to interview two
ladies and one little girl. One lady
already had the volume. The other
would think about buying it. If the
canvasser was around that way in q
week or two, she would talk with him
again.
The little girl wanted to see thepic-
lures. The servant, kinder or more
unsuspicious or intuitive than the
rest, let the boy into the hall, while
she went upstairs to her mistress.
Unfortunately, the lady was asleep.
: Albert fingered few moments. and
| let the little girl examine the book, and
then, tired and sick at heart, turned to
leave the house. e.,
ST wish you'd stay longer" the
child told him kindly. "When will
you come again?" q.::s$s. IS.
4 "Some day, perhaps" the boy an
swered, rs he turned his head away
to hide the tears that had filed his
eyes. 5f! 4sl%.,
The little girls recognition Of his
, true Character had softened his heart,
i and made it easier for him to ring q
few more doorbells. "E|g,.;ea
But it was all OF no use. Albert
= Duryea was utterly deficient in all the
= qualities that make o successful car.
q vasser. 1t was getting late in the
= afternoon, and there was nothing to
do but to take the book back, and con,
fess his failure. But how could he
go home to his mother with such o
story? He had walked miles and
4 miles. He was foot-weary and soul.
n weary. How could he give up when
= this canvassing had come to be his
only resource? So he spurred him
self on again, and went to house after
q house, but with the same unfortunate
q result. - &&1,s
There was only one more residence
: on the block that remained to be
i tested, and as he assembled the step, a
i coal cart was depositing its load upon
/ the sidewalk. A middle-aged, rather
sharp-featured woman opened the
}, door, and passed down receipt to
the driver; as she did SO, she gave the
. boy quick glance, and shook her
; head.
a "We don't want to buy anything, u
. she said.
g "Have you engaged any one to put
e your coal in?" Albert asked, respect.
t fully.
4 "No. Why?" the woman inquired.
Because if not, I wish you would
= let me do it,"
g "You? You want to put in that
coal?"
=, eyes, madam"
"But you'll spoil your Clothes"
t care you willing 1 should put il
imp"
Willing? Yes. There are three
i tons on that sidewalk. Iusually give
: twenty-five cents ton. I'll give you
y dollar for the three"
;. "All right, ma'am." said Albert.
: cheerily. THANK you'll Will you
L please take care of this book for me-
and tell me where to find basket ant
e o shovel?"
d The lady took the book, looked the
o youth over again, and then gave hin
the desired information.
t "Take it easy" she said. "It':
n back-breaking work for one that's no
@ used to it."
Tha gratitude of this boy for the