The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-05-21
TINS INITIATIVE.
By WILLIAM A. LEAfiY.
1T DON'T think we shall need you
after tonight, Timothy.

after tonight, Timothy"
The blow had fallen at last. Tim had
been expecting it for weeks. In fact,
from the moment Lawyer Dodd had re-
marked to his partner: We'll, we'll
try him, anyway Tim had known he
would not suit; and time had only con-
firmed him in this conviction.
The lawyers were so sharp and
quick; their errands full of strange
terms, hard to remember, and dis
patched to strange places, hard to find.
And when he was left alone in the Of
flee and other lawyers came in, all
quick and sharp. like his employers,
how confused he CREW.
How he blundered at the telephone!
How he always failed to say the right
thing to the clients How he hit upon
the utterly wrong thing to say to the
judge one day, and saw Mr.. Dodd slap
his long yellow envelope on the desk
and swing his chair around and look at
him, as much as to say: "You born
duncel"
"You don't seem to take hold as we
would like to have YOU" explained Mr..
Dodd, counting out two two-dollar bills,
dollar over Tins usual weeks pay,
but the last that he was to receive from
this employer-the last, perhaps, he
was ever to receive from anybody, he
thought, as he shuffled disconsolately
down the stairs.
1t was a sad story to tell to his
mother; though, of course, being his
mother, she would be easier than any
enc else,
We'll, it's too bad, Jimmie, losing
your very first place, but | suppose you
can look around for another one"
"Oh, yes" replied Tim, choking up
at her sympathy. But when he went to
his own room and looked out of the win
dow it really did not seem any use. 1t
was the recommendation from his
grammar school that got him this
place; but now he hadn't any recon-
mendation. And who would take dis
charged office boy?
However, next morning he faithfully
copied all the boy Wanted" adver-
tisements in the Sunday paper, and on
Monday started out early to try his
luck. At noon he came home discour-
aged; at supper time he had no appe-
tite at all.
Sometimes the place had just been
taken by another boy. The Help Want
ed column had many readers, it
seemed. Sometimes bigger boy than
Tim was wanted, and how Tim wished
he was tall Sometimes it was a smaller
boy, and Tim regretted his long trou-
sers.
Sometimes the faces of the women
clerks. looking sidewise from their
desks at the candidate for Harry's or
Charleys position, froze his courage
completely. His voice sank low, and he
grew in his own esteem twice as shabby
and humble as he really was. Then he
saw clouds of doubt gathering on the
face of the manager or hoor-walker.
and heard him conclude the examina-
ton with blunt "You won't do" or
perhaps the more evasive well. / think
well make other arrangements" or.
gentlest of all. but knelling with nc
less certainty the doom of his modest
application; Leave me your address.
80 that If we should want you we shall
know where TO send"
Two weeks of constant rejection
Slapped Tins hope most lamentably.
lie dreaded to turn an office doorknob
He began to look upon employers as a
class apart from other men. Of stern,
inquisitorial temper and disposition
that could not be pleased
Its too bad we haven't some friend
who could get you a place. Jimmie"
said his mother. That was Just what
Tim had been thinking himself. Nat.
urally he and his mother had certain
traits in common. "But can't think
Of any; SO you'll keep on trying. like a
good boy, won't your"
''oh. yes" replied Tim, "I'r keep on
trying"
But two months went by. and he
hadn't energy enough left for a real
hearty try. To be sure. he dreamed
every night Of golden strokes of for.
tune. and usually started towards town
in the morning determined TO do some
thing. anyway" But even this vague
determination oozed away after be had
crossed his threshold, and the upshot
of every journey was a random saunter
through he stfrets. with his hands 10