Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-02

THE FORKS OF THE ROAD.
An Episode in the Business Life of
Young Man,
Xxx, 81 AasSaH.aAAM.

sNassSsSsA, * sssSsS.SNSs.sss&
Well. what would his father say
about il?
That question was a Aashlight, and
all at once he saw the forks OF the
road before him. The way he took
now he would travel in, for better or
for worse. Down he went among the
muddy weeds of the swamp, and
CROPPED for the fallen finger board.
He found it, and he read it; then he
must choose.
"It isn't fair, and I won't do It'll"
He had made his choice; be would not
go back from it; but-."Tt's pretty
hard to give up such chance rs that.
Would be harder for the fellow the
chance belongs to, thought" He
sighed, then smiled. ~ know we'll
enough what father would say-Tf
you are not quite sure it's right, you
may be pretty sure it's wrong'-I've
heard him say 1t many time" He
started for Mr.. Blacks Office again.
"He'll laugh at me for being silly,
but can't help that"
"Hello, Philip!" There was Mark
Appleton, with more advice, no
doubt. "Know what I'm here for?"
Mark asked complacently.
"No."
"To apply for the Drew assign.
ment. If you can't reach what you
want, ask for it,"
"You won't get it, 1t isn't your
turn, you know"
cts anybody's turn that can get
it, my friend. If T. can get it by ask
ing, so much the better for me. II
Warmers too green to ask for it, so
much the worse for him."
els that fair? 1t would go to
Warner without asking, if nobody
interfered. And you know as we'll as
I do how much he needs it,"
"You're pretty green yet, little one.
The survival of the tittest, you know.
That's business"
els it? Then Tn all right, for I've
got that assignment. Mr.. Black gave
it to me not fifteen minutes ago"
Mark gasped, turned pale, then red,
uutt was spccCulCSS Wltu COuotcI uUtioA
for the space OF half minute.
"Wha.a.a.tw he stammered then.
"You-you don't say you've been
mean enough to take it! What right
have you to it? The last one taken
on, and you go cutting in ahead Of all
the men that have been here for years!
Talk about mean things! didn't
think you'd play such trick on me,
anyhow, after all I've done for you"
ooh, don't know" Phil had a
malicious pleasure in the miserable
logic of the situation. ""The prize
is there for whoever can take it, you
know. Never mind about the other
fellows. The place ahead of you is
yours if you can get it, After you
get success there won't be any ques
tious asked III you can't get close
up to the band"
ooh, shut up! You've played
mean trick on friend, and that's all
there is of 1t. 1 trusted you, and you
went back on me- .. ,,..
"You? What right had you to it?
But there; it is a mean thing to take
another fellows salary-Imean chance
just because you can; it would be
just as honest to take his pocketbook.
I was just going in to tell Mr.. Black
that I wouldn't have the job. Come
on"
Wondering whether anybody could
be such fool rs Phil Everett made
himself ont to be, but determined to
make the most of his foolishness,
Mark followed him into the private
office.
"Mr. Black" Phil looked straight
into the managers eyes and spoke out
bravely. "I've thought it over about
that assignment and I've decided not
to keep it,"
Just as you please" Mr.. Black
said indiflerently. "But what's the
matter? Why won't you keep it?"
He glanced suspiciousl y at Mark.
swell, I can't make ont that it be-
longs to me. can make it sound all
right, but somehow I can't make it
feel right"
This time Mr.. Black smiled, the
same queer smile. Mark opened his
mouth to speak, but Phil gave him no
chance.
"You gave the chance to me, Mr..
Black, and I give it back to"--he
paused the fraction OF a second. 1t
was Mark that smiled this time; Mr..
Black was scowling-''to John War
ner. 1t really belongs to him."
Mr.. Black unconsciously drew q
long breath.
warner shall have it," he said, in
his usual business tone. Then he
surprised Phil by suddenly shaking
hands with him. you've come |
through it WE'LL" he said cordially.
Hasn't he, Appleton?"
But Appleton had not waited to an.
swer any questions.
cit will do your father lot of good |
when he knows about it," said Mr..
Black, still holding the young fellows |
hand.
Gather? Oh, he won't know any.
thing about it," Phil said in . half
wistful, half shamed tone.
"Won't hep Mr.. Black laughed |
out. "Well, perhaps. He was will
ing that should make the test, but |
he told me just how it would turn out.
He was sure that his boy would come |
to no real harm-yet. Now go back
to your work, and after this-well,
such father as yours is just about |
the best adviser young fellow can
have"