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


whom he had applied for position.
"That's what everybody says, sir, 1"
the boy replied. "And that's what
thought myself when started out. 1
have good references" he added, with
brave struggle against disappoint-
ment, "and 1 will do anything to earn
a little money to keep my mother with.
She isn't very strong, SIR"
Albert Duryea had spent nearly a
month in the endeavor to find work,
and at this point it was about oil the
poor fellow could do to keep from
breaking down ignominiously.
He had always supposed that if it
was necessary for a son to support his
mother, everybody would be interested
in helping him.
The mothers who suffered poverty
and hunger either hadn't any sons, OF
their sons were not willing to work for
them. But he had not walked the
streets for four weeks without finding
out his mistake.
Your mothers widow, then?"
The merchant glanced up from his
bills and surveyed his companion
again from head tofoot. At last-and
Albert's heart gave quick, joyful leap
somebody was interested in his
mother.
eyes, SIR" he replied. "Perhap:
you remember Hamilton Duryea? He
was my father. He failed in business
about six months ago, lost everything,
and then-then he was taken very i'll,
and only lived little while. was all
ready for college. but of course had
to give up that and try to see what ]
could do"
81 remember your father very we'll, "
the gentleman responded, with consid-
erable interest and respect in his tone
'but where are your fathers friends?
] should think that among them all a
position might be scared up for you"
"But they say there are many young
men wanting situations and times are
SO hard. They tell me there doesn't
seem to be anything doing" the youth
answered.
The grim face of the merchant re-
lazed little, and ghost of smile
played about his mouth.
"Iimes are always dull, my boy,
when q man wants work." he said.
Then he put his hand into his pock ct
and drew out roll of bills.
81 don't feel justified" he went on,
Sin making room for clerk do not
need. should like to give you EN-.
ployment, and if there was q vacancy
l would set you to work to-day.
This" extending his hand with FIVE,
dollar inclosed, will help your mother
a little, perhaps"
Albert Duryea drew back as if he
had been struck, while all the blood
in his body seemed to have rushed tc
his face.
He opened his mouth to speak, but
the words would not come. The man
of business dropped the money on the
counter and resumed his work.
The boy stood for moment a pic,
ture of helpless wretchedness, then,
unable to say anything but low and
almost inarticulate Good d-morning,
sir" turned and left the establish
ment.
OF course, he must have looked like
a beggar, and acted like beggar, he
said to himself, or he never woult
have been taken for beggar. He sup
posed his clothes looked rather out O.
date, but they were clean and Ger
tainly not ragged.
All this time he had been laborinG
undo the mistake that he presented
the appearance of a gentlemanly younG
fellow. This was q revelation, in
deed. He must have been looking tot
high. His former social standing die
not count, and his education seemed
to be going for nothing.
He had never once thought of shov
cling coal, or asking for a porter's o.
a walters position. Suppose he got
chance to put ten or dozen tons o
coal into somebody's cellar, would h,
do it2 he inquired of himself. HI
would Was there anything homes
he would not do for his motherP Their,
was not.
Soma vnv la orau otroooo, ~