Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-10-13

( "My mother also died last week. sir"
replied Anson, with a suppressed sob
in his voice.
| Richard Parmenter turned abruptly
away, and gazed vacantly out of the
window, while softer expression
stole over his grizzled countenance.
Poor Annie" he murmured.
Then, reassuming his brusk man
ner, he turned again TO the youth be-
fore him,
What was your business with me o.
he asked.
81 have always wanted to go to col
lege, sir" Anson responded. with some
| diffidence, "and mother said you might
be willing to lend me aid"
what profession do you wish to fol-
| low?"
"I believe that whatever talent l
have lies in mechanical line, sir"
Then an engineering course would
be best. probably. And you want me
to lend you aid? What security can
you give me that I shall ever be re-
paid?"
None, sir. except the pledge of my
honor"
IT am not in the habit of loaning
money on such security" answered
Mr.. Parmenter. wait n moment" he
called, more kindly, as Anson was
turning away with an angry flush in
his cheeks.
The lad halted, and waited in silence
for his uncle to speak.
Though / cannot loan you any
money under the circumstances, I do
not feel like turning you adrift in the
world. Are you willing to work?'
"Yes, indeed, sir"
Then report tomorrow in the hard
ware and implement department, aDd
Mr.. Smith will put you in place where
you can earn good salary, though !
warn you that it will require har6
work"
Thank you, sir. TRUST l shall prove
that I am not afraid Of hard work,
Uncle -"
an a business way | will be Mr..
Parmenter," interrupted the mer-
chant, turning to his dsslt as Gig" ef
dismissal,
Promptly at the appointed hour An
SUI TtDOI W WI. hhN hSe'
of the hardware and farming imple-
ment departments, and was at once In
itiated into the duties of his new posi-
ton. Here he found that his uncle's
predictions regarding hard work were
fully verified. "Parmenter Bros" were
located in Bellevue, n most lively little
city, surrounded by one of the richest
farming regions in the world. Thus
the trade in agricultural appliances
was very large, and competition was
sharp.
Day after day Arson toiled away in
his new position, gradually becoming
Injured to the heavy work. His hands
hardened, and his muscles became like
bands of steel. He gained many smiles
Of appreciation from Mr.. Smith, and
rendered valuable aid to that gentle
man in setting up" machinery, sort
Of work in which he found great pleas
ure. Every Saturday night a proper
tion of his wages was left on deposit,
for his plan of obtaining further edu-
. cation was never once abandoned.
Had Anson known of q certain con
versation which took place between
Mr.. Smith and his uncle. his heart
would have been filled with pleasure
and with hope.
"How Is that boy making out in your
department, Mr.. SMITH" Mr.. Parmen-
| ter had asked.
"Finely." answered the elnploye.
/ "He Is willing to work, quick to learn.
and q regular mechs MEAL genius.
Often he 1. quicker than I myself to
sec The construction Of . new ma.
| chine"
The merchant rubbed his hands with
| satisfaction,
Hes O fne lad" was his comment,
"and the experience will do him gooo.'
Il so happened that this summer
Parmenter Broa undertook the intro
duction Of q new threshing machine,
which wns . radical change from the
regular style. When the hrst machine
| arrived Il attracted much attention,
| and Anson Hoover was completely fas-
cinated with its details. All of his
spare time was utilized In atudying the
| principles upon which the action de.
| pended, and II was with feeling al
most of regret that he saw the ma
| chine sold. An unusual amount of In.
terest was taken in this sale. since the
machine was in the nature OF an ex-
| pertinent. II IL worked successfully
! other sales would be made by Parmen-
ter1, but its failure meant a consider
able loa for them and gain for their
competitors. Therefore II was with
some anxiety that the members Of the
| firm saw Mr.. Smith leave Bellevue the
| day Of the sale, the head clerk having
been called TO a distant city by the
dangerous illness OF his mother.
Two days later the eldeY Parmsnterl
entered the implement department
and began an earnest conversation
with Simpson, one of the under clerks.
Anson's work required his presenoel
near them, and few words of the mer-I
chants caught his attention.
"I am sure it's because they misun-i
derstapd 1t, and not the fault of the
machine" the merchant was saying.
"Mr. Smith had tho greatest conf-
dencs that II was all right, and think
bis Judgment is correct. SO you do.
not understand it2"
mo, sir. l had nothing whatever TO
do with the machine while it was
here"
"Ot coursol But II means heavy
loss II somebody can't be found to see
10 st."
Ansoa had already OWNED the cause
Of anxiety, and now spoke up boldly:
~ beg pardon, Mr.. Parmenter." he.
4 4
threshing outfit we sent out the other
day?"
Yes. 1t doesn't work we'll. and the
buyer cannot manage II. OF course we
shall have to take It back If nobody can.
correct the trouble"
perhaps | can do So" ventured An
son.
For o monentMr. Parmenter looked