The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-12-13
~
[V,suSpilt in,J

long afterwards.
Phil Everett was to have been
doctor, like all the Everett men, but
after the accident that made his father
a helpless cripple, he gave that up
and went into the great house of Byrd
4 Hull, there TO learn business and
make living for the family, for IL
was found that there was little money
to the fore.
lie faced new life there; he did
not even know tho language of the
strange world that he had set out TO
conquer. But no matter, Mark APP
pleton made friends with him at once,
and wisdom and Mark Appleton
travelled together. Mark knew il all;
he had the whole system of business
straight and clear in his mind. And
ho was 80 bright aud friendly and nj
together captivatingl Such friend
must be the safest of all guides-if he
were not the most perilous.
Instruction began at once. In his
enthusiasm for work, Phil did some
thing that another was expected to do.
Mark dishpproved of that.
~ thc Wolh ybW lulu lOI W.
ing, and let the rest alone, Philip.
Oh, yes, know, you weren't think
ing about the pay; but that's the only
thing to think about. You don't want
to earn money for some other fellow
that isn't business.
Phil's ardor for doing tho best he
could was little chilled. Another
day he modestly let an older man have
au excellent assignment that he might
have had himself. lie was laughed
Mt by the rest, and Mark lectured him
again
'Here's the first principle of bust
ness, my friend: Get close up to the
bandl Never lose chauco to get
to the frontr
That was the substance Of Mark
Appleton's business creed; and day
by day Phil heard the details of it.
Somebody has to march behind;
see that you're not the onel"
"It's just as fair Tor you to push the
rest back, as it would be for the rest
to push you back"
"If you take the prize, the rest are
no worse off than you'd be if some
other fellow took it,"
"You'll be shouldered out of your
place il you don't shoulder somebody
else out. Never mind about the other
follows. Tie place ahead of you is
yours, if you can get it,"
"You can't stop for questions.
Success-That's what you want. And
after You get that, there won't be any
questions asked"
Phil listened, fascinated; soon he
called the talk inspiring; next he
found it convincing. The talk he
used to hear from that other comrade,
his father, was very different, but
then we'll, these were new times, and
old nations were out of date. SO the
loving son OF an honored father took
counsel with the teacher of new no.
tions, and said nothing about them at
home.
At last one day, after the new re.
cruit had followed Mark Appleton
flag pretty far into the swamp, he
came to the forks OF the road.
This was the day for the Frew as.
signment, the best one OF the year.
The Frew contract was hard 20 get,
and to be chosen to go aft er it was il
itself promotion. The one SC
trusted was understood to be wei
started on his business career. Gen
orally the assignment came in rota
tion, but that rule was subject to ex
ceptions. This time it was expected
to go to John Warner; Phil was GLAD
OF that, for he liked John, and ther,
were hard times in the Warner house
Phil was working alone, when al
order came for him TO go into til,
private Office OF Mr.. Bluck, the man
ager OF the department. He went
wondering. Mr.. Black began on hin
with his usual abruptness.
"You haven't been here very long
Everett, but you've had plenty of in
struction since you came; and"-h
smiled here, queer little smile
''you appear TO be rather willin,
learner.
"Your father and / have Away
been friends. aud am willing to Civ
your fathers son the best chance
can put in his way" He stoppe,
sgain, AUDI looked or into space
while Phil began to tura bot and cold
1T Is ( little irregular. but the Frs'