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

Phil Everett was to havo been q
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
& Hull, there to learn business aud
make living for the family, for it
was found that there was little money
to the fore.
He faced new life there, he did
not even know the language OF the
strange world that he had set out to
conquer. But no matter, Mark Ap.
pleton made friends with him at once,
and wisdom and Mark Appleton
travelled together. Mark knew it all !;
he had the whole system OF business
straight and clear in his mind. And
he was so bright and friendly and al
together captivating! Such q 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 disapproved of that.
"Do the work you're paid for do.
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.
Pills ardor for doing the best he
could was little chilled. Another
day he modestly let an older man have
an excellent assignment that he might
have had himself. He was laughed
at by the rest, and Mark lectured him
again.
"Here's the first principle OF bust
ness, my friend: Get close up to the
band! Never lose q chanc, to get
to tho 'front.'
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 one"
"It's just as fair for you to push the
rest back, as it would be for the rest
to push you back"
eff 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 if you don't shoulder somebody
else out. Never mind about the other
fellows. 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-well, these were new times, and
old nations were out of date. So the
loving son Of an honorea 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's
flag pretty far into the swamp, he
came to the forks OF the road.
This was the day for the Frew as.
signment, the t"st one OF the year
The Frew contract was hard to get,
and to be chosen to go after it was in
itself promotion. The one so
trusted was understood to be we'll
started on his business career. Gen.
orally the assignment came in rota-
ton, 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 there
were hard times in the Warner house.
Phil was working alone, when an
order came for him to go into the
private Office of Mr.. Black, the man.
ager Of the department. He went,
wondering. Mr.. Black began on him
with his usual abruptness.
"You haven't been here very long,
Everett, but you've had plenty of in
struction since you came; and"-he
smiled here, a queer little smile
"you appear to be rather willing
learner.
"Your father and I have always
been friends, and l am willing to givI
your fathers son the best chance
can put in his way" He stopped
again, aud looked off into space,
while Phil began to turn hot and cold.
cit is little irregular, but the Frew
assignment is yours, if you want it,"
The Frew assignment! His if he
wanted it, He stammered ont some
thing, but the manager interrupted
him with a gesture of dismissal be.
fore he could even say how thankful
he was.
"That's all right, but take a little
time to think it over; it may have
more than one side to it, you know.
Come back in fifteen minutes. OF
course you would like to consult your
father about it'--Phil WINGED slight.
ly at that-"but there isn't time. You
might ask Appleton's advice, though,
If he happens along"
Phil went out, dizzy with exulta.
sion. The keen triumph of unthought.
Of success set his blood to dancing.
Here was his chance to "get close up
TO the band" and that was the first
principle Of business, Mark said.
Why should he take fifteen minutes
70 think over it?
Then the thought OF John Warner
gave his triumph chill. Was it fair
to shoulder faithful John ont of his
rightful place in this way? All
Marks glib sayings went babbling
through his brain to answer that, but
somehow they seemed less inspiring
than at first. "Consult your father"