Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-04-24

And myself-how can I bear living
with her and her ignorant husband and
cnildren?"
The figure stole to chest, and
raising the lid drew out suit of man.
ifestly homemade but neat-appearing
clothing, and divesting itself of sew
eral lighter but less serviceable gar
ments, was soon arrayed in the former
apparel.
Poor Frank! l am indeed stepping
into dead mans shoes! But he has
no use for them now, and II could
never wear them all the way to New
York. New York! 1t is awful to go
out into the world alone, with not
friend. Why not take mothers mon
ey? 1t is now mine-but not would
be like stealing, and then they would
lave some incentive to search for me.
But will take my own money out of
my iron bank-that's$ $18 and they don't
know l have it. Oh, mother, the
Bible, which they say gives them the
right to enslave and beat me, says
one must not take his own life. But had
not the same words often dropped
from your own lips, tomorrow l would
be with you and Frank"
The gray dawn was just appearing
in the east, when a boyish form crept
out Of the house and swiftly fled
toward the railroad station, four miles
distant
Farewell, old house-my own home,
from which strangers drive me-fare-
we'll" murmured a voice trembling
with emotion, and the next moment
the small fugitive had disappeared in
the darkness.
The morrow's sun had nearly reached
the meridian as 1t poured through the
dim window panes into the dusky
office of a prominent city lawyer
who gazed perpleXingly down upon a
small applicant, who stood hanging
upon his scarce formulated answer.
why, my boy, you are much too
young-you could not do the work
you know nothing about office routine.
You should first take some position at
two or three dollars. Your parents
should"
my parents-all my relatives are
dead, sir, and l am thrown upon my
self for living. | could not live on
such wages as you speak of, and see
ing in the paper that you offered So,
thought I'd try and get you to give me
the place. l can write we'll and figure
accurately, sir. Won't you give me a
trial?"
The legal light hesitated. The plea,
while earnest had been made in such a
dignified tone and manner that he
could not, worldly as he was, turn the
boy away as he had many another
more hardy one. And then he thought
of his own child, surrounded by every
luxury.
We'll, my lad" he said with a sigh,
I'll see what you can do. What is
your name?"
Clement, sir" answer the bay, bold
ly, though flushing somewhat. Glen
ent Travers."
well, Clement, you can start in at
once. Fuller (to the head clerk) this
is the new boy. Give him something
to do. And, Fuller" lin an undertone),
don't treat the poor little devil like
you did the last-ne can't stand it,"
"All right, SIR" assented the clerk,
respectfully, but with a sneer at his
employers softness after the latter's
back was turned. Here, just sit down
and copy this off, and don't make any
more mistakes than you can help!"
Despite the apparent hospitality of
Fuller, this was indeed a promising
opening for Clement, and he set to
work with such will and energy as to
astonish the ordinarily somewhat easy
going employees of the law firm of
Johnes, Clarkes, Robinson, Smyth and
Browne, who wondered how that del
icate looking kid was such a hustler"
However hackneyed the authority
for the assertion, it must be said that
perseverance will always win in every
branch of life, and the lad who had
made such a favorable entry into the
celebrated law Office was no exception
to the rule. Before three years had
fully gone by his industry, had more
than doubled his starting compensa-
tion.
Fuller" said Browne, the junior
partner, one morning, isn't today the
date set for the transfer of that town
site of Pullman's?"
Yes" answered that individual
without looking up But he provides
the customer, and we only draw the
papers"
I'VE were to look up the title" re-
sponjed the junior partner, sharply,
and your report guarantees it's clear
ness. Are you sure there's nothing in
the way? No second mortgage?"
There is but one document recorded
besides the original grant of 60 years
ago." said Fuller, in the staccato tones
of man who wishes his words to i'm
press the hearer.
| He uttered a sight of relief as his
| inu,,isitor walked away satisfied and