Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-09-12
HIS START IN LIFE.
A STORY THAT A DISCUSSION ON
RELIGION BROUGHT OUT. ~,

! uencc, AID the Narrative Pointed ,
| Moral ns We'll.
The question OF religion came up tn,
! other day in the Busy Mems Luncl
club, aud old Parhesan, who is senior
warden Of st. Pecunia's church an,
therefore constitutes himself Il de
fender of the faith, remarked, "You
may say what you like, gentlemen, bu
religious man Is more apt to hell
those who need 1t than an intidcl"
Il am a firm believer In Christiani
ty." remarked Bilson, who has made q
million or so in the Swamp during the
last few years, but l take exception
to that statement. When it comes tc
helping a fellow who is down, it's
about an even toss between a Chris
tian and an infdel. You doubt it? he
continued as he saw old Parmesau
shake his head. "Well, to prove what
say will give you an episode in my
own life. came to New York in 1873
with no capital but country made
suit Of clothes and a 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 l 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-
verified Bum who was holding revivals
all over the country. And asked my
self why l, clean. decent young fell
low who had never been a bum
should be allowed to starve, while
Billy was living on the fat of the
land. At first the wild thought came
into my head to start out myself on
career of cr-I mean of revivalsm I'M
der the name of Charley, the Con-
verified Boy Ficnd.' and rake in the
shekels like Billy But somehow |
felt couldn't get down as low as that
\. 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.
80 scrapcd enough money together
to insert the following in one of the
papers: If | were drunken bum"
just taken out of the gutter, scores Of
out hand to help me. But as I 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 l added my
initials and address.
THE next day called to see if there
might possibly be an answer and got
two. The first one l opened read as
follows: I was touched by your
strange advertisement, as myself was
once in the same position. l found help
a noble Christian man. and If
you will call and see me | will prove
to you that there is 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
fidel, and, though good man. he
might not be disposed to look at your
case so kindly
"My heart jumped with joy on read
ing this kind letter, and for a little
while forgot the other one. But
soon opened it and read as follows: 4
was deeply stirred by the undertone
Of despair in yoir advertisement rs I
was once as fricnlless as you are.
found a start in life through a noble
man who. Ike myself. was an unbe-
lever. And if you will call and see
ne | will prove to you that there is an
lnbeliever who is both able and will
ng to give you Il start in life If you
Ire worthy. Ask to see me personally.
Is my partner is Christian. and.
,hough good man, he might not be
disposed to look on your case kindly
"WOnderful coincidence. wasn't it?
But the most wonderful part of the
story is yet to he told These two men
we're partners. Each one Of them was
rying to do good deed without the
Of the other.
"The end Of the story? Well. that
vas interesting and remarkable too.
after trying In vain to decide to which |
# these two gentlemen should make |
myself known l determined to see
hem together and read the two letters !
o them. l did SO. and you ought to
ave seen the look Of blank surprise |
hat came over the faces Of both men |
S they learned that, though differing
0 widely in creed. they were at one in |
the religion Of humani-
y. They were silent for few mo-
nents. and then the Christian. with
ears In his eyes, grasped the hand Of
is partner and said:
Brother. have wronged you. for
ave learned that, without knowing 1t,
gu are not far from the kingdom Of
att is I who have vponged you, ex-
laimed his partner. in assuming that