Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-21
TRUE STORY.

Fellow as ever tried to coax what 70
sprout from the wrinkled brows of the
sterile nils OF old Vermont. The com
munlty in which he lived was comnosed
of thrifty farmer folks. who wera nnsN
sessed of P~uritanical ideas and were firm
auherents OF the blue laws. They sim
ceIely believed that the burning of the
"ltches at the stake was perfectly cor
rect and legitimate, inasmuch as the ac-
IONS or the victims had been a direct
oliehse 10 the code of straight-laced
morals that dominated the church and
state. The atmosphere was sufficient to
warp the natures of the young folks and
hlll thelr desire for healthy endowment.
Aie ihiiuehce was so sighting as to even
checkmate the introduction of taffy pull
ings.
Jack, however, possessed a buoyant
nature that refused to submit to the
power of the Puritanical SWAY of ideas.
ana his ambition often bounded to an
otner sphere that was replete with the
enJoyments of life in the big world that
to Jacks mind lay over on the other side
OF Blue Mountain. The young fellow was
handsome. stalWart and athletic. His
muscles We're like iron. G~ood-hearted
and kind. and possessing all the oualifi-
cations OF vigorous youth, he was q fellow
TO De admired, but instead he was not
liked by the good neighbors, who believed
that he was frivolous because he showed
a lack OF interest in throwing himself
into the f1igid atmosphere of the Sunday
school room. He actually fell in disgrace
when it became rumored that he read the
newspapers. The other folks didn't. and
accordingly suffered from the visits of
ubiquitous lightning rod men. One day,
which proved to be the pivotal point in
his career, Jack was busy building a
stone fence about the ten-acre lot, and. as
he piled the fiat stones on top of one an
other, he unused over his lot. Then and
there it daWned upon him that his per-
spectiVe was not to be hemmed by corn
stalks.
He resolved to throw himself into the
maelstrom of city life and try to pluck
the straWs of fortune from the seething
caldron. Just as Jack placed the last
stone on the heap and drew himself erect
and wiped the perspiration from his
broad and intellectual fOrehead a saucy
little bluebird that was pccking at the
heart of a big sunflower that grew near
by frisked his tail and gave Il little chirp
of approval. Jack found it hard, very
hard, to acquaint his parents with his
unalterable decision, and he found the
tears yelling to his eyes as he tried to
picture in rosy colors the future of great
ness that lay before him.
Jack. my dear son, do thee know of
the temptations that beset thee on every
hand in the wicked city?"
Yes, mother, dear; but with a stout
heart, q clean conscience and this sturdy
right arm of mine l can face the thousand
and one dangers in security and place my
name among those high in the business
and social circles Of Boston. Have no
fears, dear little mother. l shall be safe"
The brave little woman wiped the fur
tive tears from her eyes with the corner
of her apron and ave her consent. Plac-
ing her soft HAND on Jacks curls, she
said:
always think of thy mother. son, in
thy daily life. Touch not the wine cup,
avoid the sinful theaters and go to prayer
meeting regularly. Let thy beacon light
be spiritual, and step over the t~rapdoors
of the world"
!, Jacks father stormed and fumed, but
the formers resolution could not be
shaken, and as soon as the old man found
:. this out he grudgingly gave his consent
| and made this remark:
"All right, John: go ahead. Do your
best. Harvest is comm on, and I'll be
h~onswoggled if you won't be back carry
in SheaVeS as usual
Jack eventually reached Boston with 20
hard-earnod dollars in his inside pocket.
He was dazed by the hustle and madden
ing whirl of city life, but found a board
ing house on a quiet street, where he en-
gagged a weeks board in advance. Jacks
efforts to find work We're unsuccessful.
Hour after hour he trudged the streets,
applying in every big place of business
for work.
He was turned down, in some places
coldly and in others warmly. He became
discouraged and disheartened. Lots of
men take to drink in similar cases, but
not once did brave Jack forget the cher
ished advice. of his sWeet-faced little
mother. He firmly refused to look at the
sign Of a brewery in gilt letters that hung
by the side of the portals of the gllded
palaces of sin. One day he fell in with a
Young man. The latter had a frank, open
face, and was neatly attired. Jack struck
I'D an acquaintance with the young fell
low who was a very plausible young
man. and seemed to be thoroughly al
home in the big, hard-hearted city. He
took a great liking to our farmer boy, ano
lack. all u~nsuspiciOuS, failed to attacn
any Significance to the fact that his new
found friend wore q red-striped collar
and smoked cigarettes. There was some
thing about the stranger That aroused
the suspicion of the country BOY lhere
was a hard, blase look in his eyes, Whlcr
rested upon everything but his com
panion's face.
well, my friend, how do you Ike Dos
tom" inquired the young man.
mot very we'll. | nave been looking ioi
, nosition, but | nave been unsuccessful
There appears to be 100 applicants ioi
each job Tow
~ ~svnnathize with you, old man. | am
in the same boat myself. A poor letio"
ont of employment in this bean pahers
Glands no more chance that d tlApplit
bcfore a machine gun. Hello, here come.
fr;ond of mine. who may be able 10 he4l
us out ,oh,,
lacks ewes rested upon a fashiohapls
ottirad gentleman who came sauhteilns
down the sidewalk, twisting ms nlus,ath