The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-21
HIS START IN LIFE.
A STORY THAT A DISCUSSION ON
RELIGION BROUGHT OUT.

1t Involved n Christian and an Inf
del and Most Remarkable Coinci-
dence, and the Narrative Pointed n
Moral ax Well.
The question Of religion came up the
other day in the Busy Mems Lunch
club, and old Parmesan, who is senior
warden Of St Pecunia's church and
therefore constitutes himself de-
fender Of the faith, remarked, You
ma. say what you like, gentlemen, but
q religious man is more apt to help
those who need it than an infidel."
81 am firm believer in Christiani-
ty," remarked Bilson, who has made
million or so in the Swamp during the
last few years, "but l take exception
to that statement. When it comes to
helping q fellow who is down, it's
about an even toss between Chris
tan and an infdel. You doubt it," be
continued as he saw old Parmesan
shake his head. "Well, to prove what
l say 1 will give you an episode IN my
own life. I came to New York in 1878
with no capital but country made
suit Of clothes and q common school
education. was lank looking young
fellow, with 'hayseed' written all over
me; but, like many another raw coun-
try lad, l was irresistibly attracted to
the city, where l soon expected to
strike the combination that would lead
to fortune and fame. But before long
my main thought was to keep from
starving. l could get no work, and no.
body would listen to me when asked
for it. tried to keep up my courage,
but in my heart would have given
anything to be back on the old farm
again.
well. one day grew especially des-
perate. The papers were full of the
triumphant success Of Billy, the Con-
yerted Bum who was holding reyiyals
all over the country And l asked my
self why l, clean, decent young fel-
low. who had never been 'bum,'
should be allowed to starve, while
Billy was living on the fat Of the
land. At first the wild thought came
irto my head to start out myself on
career of cr-I mean Of revivalism IN
der the name of Charley. the Con-
verted Boy Fiend.' and rake in the
shekels like Billy But somehow /
felt l couldn't get down as low as that.
4 brilliant thought struck me, how
ever. | would state the whole thing IN
an advertisement, more to relieve my
feelings than with any hope of getting
an answer.
$50 scraped enough money together
to insert the following in one Of the
papers: IF I were drunken "bum''
just taken out Of the gutter, scores OF
kind religious people would stretch
out hand to help me. But as l am
only decent and self respecting young
man, with no vices or bad habits, am
without work and starving in this
great, cruel city And I added my
initials and address.
.4The next day called to see if there
might possibly be an answer and got
two. The first one opened read as
follows: 7 was touched by your
strange advertisement, as myself was
once in the same position. found help
through noble Christian man, and II
YOU will cali and see me | will prove
to YOU that there is Il Christian who IS
able and willing to help You if you are
worthy Ask TO see me personally, as
l am sorry to say my partner is an in
lidel. and though 4 good man, he
might not be disposed to look at your
case so kindly
My heart jumped With JOY on read
in" this kind letter. and for 4 little
While forgot the other one. But l
soon opened it anI read rs follows: 1
was deeply stirred by the undertone
of despair in Your advertisement. as
was once Us fricndieS> as YOU are. |
found :, start in lle through noble
man Who. like myself. Was an Enbe-
lever. And il von Will call and see
me will prove to yol that there is an
unbe,:evcr who is both able and will
ing to give you :, start in life If you
rs my partner is 4 Christian. and.
though :: good man. he might not be
disposed to look on your case kindly.
Wonderful coincidence. wasn't y:
But the most wonderful part OF the
story is yet to be told. These two men
were partners Each one OF them was
trying 10 DO :; good deed without the
knowledge Of the other.
The end Of the story? Well. that
was interesting and remarkable too.
After trying in vain to decide to which
of these two gentlemen should make
myself known determined to see
them together and read the two letters
10 them. did so. and YOU ought to
have seen the look of blank surprise
that came over the faces Of both men
rs they learned that. though differing
so widely in creed, they were at one in
acknowledging the religion Of humanl-
~. They were silent for :; few mo-
ments. and then the Christian. with
IN, Ii.. ava.. oSnn0 Tho hand O.