Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-01-22

xIssSSSAlM troubled day
l long afterwards.
Phil Everett was to have 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
Il 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 APP
pleton made friends with him at once,
and wisdom and Mark Appleto I
travelled together. Mark knew it a ::
he had the whole system of business
straight and clear in his mind. Al I
he was so bright and friendly and a
together captivating! Such 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, l 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 follow;
that isn't business.
Phil's ardor for doing the best he
could was a 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 busi-
ness, my friend: Get close up to the
band! Never lose a chance to get
to the '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!'
Its just as fair for you to push the
rest back, as it would be for the rest
to push you back"
"If 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old nations were out of date.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 honored 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-
eruit had followed Mark Appleton $
flag pretty far into the swamp, he
came to the forks of the road.
This was the day for the Frew as
signment, the best one OF the year.
The Frew contract was hard 10 get
aud 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-
ceptlons. 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, queer little smile
you appear 10 be a rather willing
learner.
"Your father and [ have ALWAYS
been friends, and am willing to givI
your fathers son the best chance G
can put in his way He stopped
again, and looked of into space,
while Phil began to turn hot and cold.
ut is little irregular. but the Frew