The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-05
OLD BEELZEBUB.

OLD BEELZEBUB.
That boy Samuel is altogether peculiar in
at least one respect-perhaps it may amount
to two respects when you come to consider it
1 call him that boy because so he was
when 1 first knew him years ago, and he
has not changed. He was that boy Sam
uel' then, and, although I often turn him
over in my mind, so - speak, and try to
find something strange or new in him, there
is nothing now that was not in him then
except he has grown both physically and
mentally. Perhaps l shall be able to detect q
change in him when he gets married, but thai
will not be for some months to come.
So that is the respect--or those are the re-
srects-n which Samuel is peculiar. 1t is
very peculiar for a young man of independ-
Ient means, who has come into his wealth
within the past three years, to be just like
the boy he was when his circumstances were
so poor that you could hardly dignity them
with the name Of circumstances. They were
worse than poor; they were destitute.
His origin is Western. 1 made his ac-
quaintance in Chicago; and for that priv
lege 1 have to thank my vallse, which
started out to carry five blocks from res
taurant to a depot, believing it to be light
and which, finding it to be heavy, l was
obliged to give to Samuel to carry. He of
fered to carry it for ten cents, and 1 paid hin
"a quarter. He fished out three nickels to give
me for change, and refused them. He
in place like this
"Why?' 1 said. Have you had much ex-
Iperience in Chicago
mo, 1 haven't" said Samuel 81 only came
here a week ago..
Did you come to look for work, like the
rest?'
Come to seek my fortune
1t may seem very improbable, but l can
honestly aver that Samuel then and there
seemed as neatly and properly dressed as he
usually does now, and he is no Sloven now
He may even have more costly clothes, but
they become him neither better nor worse
than those he wore when he put down my
vaise against a pillar that evening and
fshed out those three nickels.
Isn't it rather humble road to fortune
for a lad of your appearance" l asked.
mo choice" said Samuel sententiousy.
Haven't you ever learned any trade pro
fession?'
Partly he answer I'd, not seeming to mint
my il quisiteness in the least. I'm too young
to have learned right through anything tina
you could call a trade or profession. But
have learned good deal about drawing"
And you can't get any drawing to dc
here?"
mot so as to be paid for it,
Didn't l say that Samuel peculiar. Yol
see | had opportunity of learning thai
much right at the beginning Of our acquaint
aHce.
He told me his name, and I so inter
Tested that, knowing l should be back in Chi
cago q week later. I asked him to drop in anC
see me at my hotel.
1t was in that second interview that
learned from Samuel the bulk of his. story
UP to that time.
Il haven't any objections to talking to yol
about myself" he said; because first there
/ is nobody else who cares to hear and, second
you seem a decent sort of man"
I acknowledged the compliment, and he
went on.
IT have been carrying valises-and heavier
things-since [ saw you last week. But mex
week I am going to have job in the freight
yards. Oh, the drawing? I'll get to the
drawing in time. Never fear. I'll get there
/ YES my people quite well-to-do, as yor
guess; or we were. It's a sort of a melo.
drama story that you needn't believe unless
you like. 1 was born and raised in Western
Illinois. My father was a grain jobber anG
made money at it. But when he died he left
a will that wasn't quite plain. I know JUS
what he meant, but when it came into court
the other mans lawyer made it look different
He made it look as if my father wanted his
wanted his property to go in trust to my
mothers unce-mothers dead. too-and for
him to raise us-Iny sister and me-and then
provided she married to the old granduncle's
Wishes"
How old are you?" asked, taking advan-
ltagr of pause.
I'm nineteen Sisters twenty-one You
think I'm younger bee .use / am slim-built
Father was built that way too, but he lasted
pretty WELL considering now he worked So
will T."
.Well?"
well. they wanted sister to marry an old