The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-10
HIS START IN LIFE,
STORY THAT 4 DISCUSSION ON
 RELIGION BROUGHT OUT.

It Involved a Christian and an lnfideI and a Most Remarkable Coin cidem ce, and the Narrative Pointed a Moral as We'll.
 The question of religion came up the other day in the Busy Mems Lunch club, and old Parmesan, who is senior warden of St. Pecunia's church and therefore constitutes himself defender of the faith, remarked, You may say what you like, gentlemen, but reli- gious man is more apt to help those who need 1t than an infidel"
 T am firm believer in Christianity" remarked Bilson, who has made a mill lion or so in the swamp during the last few years, but take exception to that statement. When it comes to helping a fellow who is down, it's about an even toss between a Christian and an infidel. You doubt it?' he continued as he saw old Parmesan shake his head. Well, to prove what I say I will give you an
 
 York in 1873 with no capital but country made suit of clothes and common school education. I was a lank looking young fellow, with 'hayseed' written all over me; but, like many an- other raw country lad, was irresistibly attracted to the city, where I soon eX- pected to strike the combination that would lead to fortune and fame. But before long my main thought was to keep from starving. I could get no work, and nobody would listen to me when asked for it. I tried to keep up my courage, but in my heart I would have given anything to be back on the old farm again.
 Well, one day I grew especially des- perate. The papers were full of the tri- umphant success of Billy, the Convert ed Bum,' who was holding revivals all over the country. And I asked myself why I, a clean, decent young fellow, who had never been 'bum,' should be allowed to starve, while Billy was liv- ing on the fat of the land. At first the wild thought came into my head to start out myself on a career of cr-1 mean of revivalism under the name of Charley, the Converted Boy Fiend,' and rake in the shekels like Billy But somehow I felt I couldn't get down as low. as that. A brilliant thought struck me, however. would state the whole thing in an advertisement, more to relieve my feelings than with any, hope of getting an answer.
 ''So scraped enough money together to insert the following in one of the pa- pers: If were a drunken bum just taken out of the gutter, scores of kind religious people would stretch out hand to help me. But as I am only decent and self-respecting young man, with no vices or bad habits am with out work and starving in this great, cruel city, And I added my initials and address.
 'Trhe next day called to see if there might possibly be an answer and got two. The first one opened and read as follows: I was touched by your strange advertisement, as myself was once in the same position. l found help through a noble Christian man, and if you will call and see me I will prove to you that there Is Christian who is able and willing to help you if you are wor- thy. Ask to see me personally, as am sorry to say my partner is an inf1del, and, though a 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 little while forgot the other one. But I soon opened it and read as follows: I was deeply stirred by the undertone of de- spair in your advertisement, as I was once as friendless as you are. found a start in life through noble man who, like myself, was an unbeliever. And if you will call and see me I will prove to you that there is an unbeliever who is both able and willing to give you start in life if you are worthy. Ask to see me personally, as my partner is Chris tian, and, though good man, he might