The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-01
JACK AND HIS FATHER.
How the Old Man Remembered the
Boys Twenty-First Birthday.
Washington Star.

washington Star.
There's still another young man going
about the streets with a dazed expression
of countenance. While he appears to be
cogniZant as to whether he is coming or
going, it 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-do Washing
ton contractor. The young man has been
employed in a bank for a couple Of years,
and earns about SIS per week, which he
has been in the habit Of spending upon
himself with great impartiality, in addi-
ton to divers and sundry amounts handed
over TO him at odd times by his father.
AS the day Of his twenty-frst birthday
approached the young man began to kindle
pleasantly over reflections upon what his
father intended TO give him as a present
signalling the attainment of his majority.
remembering him on his birthdays, and
pretty substantially, too, but the young
man felt that the achievement of his twen-
ty-first year called for something really
handsome on the part of the old man.
Il hope he don't make it a gold watch
and chain-even a handsome one" the
young man is said to have remarked to one
of his cronies. II can get that later, and
the ticker I've got now is good enough. A
fellows dad seems to have a singular par
TALLY for a gold watch and chain for the
dadn prove to be original. Hope he'll
make it the dough, and that's the truth.
Want a new evening suit, and a lot or
other gear, and he couldn't do anything
handler than to pass me over a 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 dinner several times in a forced Jocular
manner to how big and high and mighty he
felt now that he was a real, honest 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
s 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
thing you're smoking and take one Of those
cigars out of that box. Well, so you're
twenty-one new, Ell, son?"
well" replied the youth, trying to look
easy, as he bit off the end OF a cigar, i be-
lieve / am, pop"
How does it feel to be an old man. Ell ?"
jovially inquired the old gentleman, taking
a fresh smoke himself. well lad, you've
been a 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 1t in mind right along TO.
well, to talk 1t over with you" and the old
gentleman twiddied his thumbs luxuriously
and smiled thoughtfully.
Its money, I'll bet a hat the youth
probably said to himself then. Aloud. how
ever, he said. looking as self-deprecating as
possible under the circumstances. well,
pop, I've tried 10 go as straight as l
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, i've got
something for you, Jack. on this evening
gestion. l suggest. my son" and the old
man leaned forward on his leather chair
and looked pleasantly into the eyes OF his
boy, that you i~naugurate this. the begin
ming of your manhood, by beginning to pay
about 50 a week out OF your salary into the
house for your board and keep. tn give
you a surprising feeling of independence.
ed. as, Of course. you understand: but l
think 1t 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. / began paying my own
whole ~thing-when l was a little over
twelve. I'm glad you had IL better than
that. but 1 think it's high time now for you
10 take this little stand for yourself, Ell
What do you think about it?"
The rest OF the story is not essential.
Enough OF il has been set forth TO explain
the reason why the youth is now patrolling
the streets OF the capital with that indie
Enable stunned look.