Evening star., 1901-11-23
NOT WHAT HE EXPECTED


about the streets with dazed expression of
countenance. While he appears to be cog
infant as to whether he is coming or going
1T is obvious that his mind is In more or less
of a turmoil as to the source of the motive
power.
This young man was twenty-one years
old one day last week. He is a son of a
more than ordinarily well-to-du Washington
contractor. The young man has been en-
pioyed in bank for couple of years. and
earns about SIS per week, which he has been
In the habit of spending upon himself with
great impartiality, in addition to divers
and sundry amounts handed over to him at
odd times by his father.
AS the day of his twenty-first birthday
approached the young man began to kindle
pleasantly over reflections upon what his
father intended to give him present
signalizfng the attainment of his majority.
his dad had always been in the habit of
remembering him on his birthdays, and
pretty substantially. too, but the young man
felt that the achievement of his twenty
f1rst year called for something really hand
scme on the part of the old man.
i hope he don't make it a gold watch
and chain-even handsome one, the
young man Is said to have remarked TO one
of his cronies. 81 can get that later. and
the ticker I've got now is good enough. A
fellows dad seems to have singular par
t1al1ty for gold watch and chain for the
twenty-frst birthday, anyhow, but perhaps
dad'n prove to be original. Hope he'll make
it the dough, and that's the truth. Want
new evening suit, and lot of other gear,
and he couldn't do anything handler than
to pass me over neat little roll"
The young man is said to have gazed at
his father out of the tail of his eye quite
frequently when the day arrived of his at
tanning his majority, and to have alluded
at cinner several times in a forced jocular
manner to how big and high and mighty he
no n and
truly man. He purposely refrained from
going out that evening, feeling certain that
his dad as customary on such occasions,
would send for him to come to the library
His father did send for him. along toward
o'clock. The old gentleman was alone and
looked mighty cheerful and comfortable.
Hello, Jack, sit down. he remarked to
the young man when the latter. looking
properly respectful and obedient, entered
the library. Jolly glowing and warm in
here. uh? Throw away that miserable
thlng you're smoking and take one of those
cigars out of that box. Well, so you're
twenty-one now, eh, son?''
"Wel," replied the youth, trying to look
easy, as he bit off the end Of a cigar, Il
believe 1 am, pop
How does it feel to be an old man. eh?''
jovially inquired the old gentleman, taking
a fresh smoke himself. well, lad, you've
been pretty good boy, sure enough, and
you haven't given your mother or me any
trouble worth mentioning, and SO on this
day I've had it in mind right along to
well, to talk it over with YOU" and the old
gentleman twiddled his thumbs luxuriously
and smiled thoughtfully.
Its money. I'll bet a hat" the youth
probably said to himself then. Aloud,
however, he said, looking as self-depre-
eating as possible under the circumstances.
well pop, I've tried to go as straight as
could -
"Um-sure enough, you have" amiably
said the old man. whiting comfortably at
his cigar. and that's one of the reasons
I've sent for you. I've got a little some
thing for YOU
The youth endeavored to look as pleased
and surprised as possible.
YEP said the old gentleman, 1--WE got
something for you. Jack, on this the even
ing of your twenty-frst birthday. It's
suggestion. l suggest, son. and the old
man leaned forward in his leather chair
and looked pleasantly into the eyes of his
boy, that You inaugurate this, the begin
ming of your manhood, by beginning to pay
about % a week out of your salary into
the house for your board and keep. It'll
give you surprising feeling Of independ-
ence. It's not that the money is in any
way needed, as, of course. you understand;
but think it about the right thing that a
man of twenty-one who's been well taken
care of all his life, and always has money
to Jingle in his pocket, should sort O.
arouse the feeling of independence of others
in his bosom by paying something on his
board. Let's see. l began paying my own
way-board and keep and duds and the
whole thing-when 1 was a little over
twelve. I'm glad you had it better than
that but l think it's high time now for you
to take this little stand for yourself, eh?
What do you think about it?"
Enough of 1t has been set forth to explain
the reason why the youth is now patrolling
the streets of the capital with that in
definable stunned look.