The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-11-07
! "HUSTLER'S' AMBITION

had been memorable day i
Riyerdale. Everybody had sal,
as usual, that the graduating exei
cises were the best that the academ
nad ever known, and at the reunion
On the evening Hamlin hall wa
crowded with students, old and new
But it was all over now. and tn
last to leave the hall were John Ar
mington and Alice Raymond. The,
were somewhat older than the res
OF the class, and it was well-knowr
that they were engaged. Alice hae
oeen the music teacher at the acad
envy during the last year Of hel
course. and Riverdale was more thar
proud OF her musical ability. John
had assisted in teaching some OF
the younger classes.
The grace and beauty of youth
rested upon them as they stood side
by side. They were looking at the
class motto above the stage.
PER ASPERA AID ASTRA.
Plenty of 'aspera' ahead OF u.s."
said John, but l guess we can go
per them together"
"Oh, but we must remember all
the time there are plenty OF 'astra,'
too said Alice, cheerfully.
NO" said John, looking straight
down into her star-like eyes, "only
two 'astra' in all the world for me-
Alice tried to look very grave, but
only. succeeded in blushing PRETTY as
she said: 1T doesn't do a bit of good
to preach to you, John. you always
make some sort of game OF it,"
Then they ran down the stairs and
out into the bright moonlight Of the
cool May night. none the less happy
because there was an undercurrent
OF anxiety in their thought of the
future.
The next morning John went to
The station with Alice, and she took
the early train for Boston, where she
was to study music, and as soon rs
possible to teach it. When the train
bad gone. John went immediately
to Enoch Rice's general store in the
village, hung up his coat, put on a |
linen buster, and began to sweep
OUT
There were some who were much |
sstonished at Johns action in going |
into the store as clerk.
II hadn't no idee that John was
goin' TO stop here" said old Josiah
Green. the village "uncle." '.When | |
heerd him rattle off that Latin piece
to the graduatin', I thought certain
iy he was goin' right on to be n per
lessor or minister, or sunthin'. OF
course. not havin' no own folks. as
you might say. he may be short ont
'or money TO go ahead, and so he's
gone int the store to arm a little to
help him out
But IL soon appeared that John
was in the store to stay. and il also
appeared that many changes were
taking place there. Order succeeded
.haos With the reluctant consent
IF Mr.. Rice. John arranged a sort Of ;
'runmage" sale. and marked old
FOODS at such low prices thu the :
Iccumulations Of IS years were :
leared away, and the store looked as
il had just been stocked with new !
,oods.
II tell We what" said Uncle Josiah,
Johns hustler. no mistake. q
Trades just about doubled since he $
vent there. Enoch has raised his
'ay twice. and he's had TO hire a J
lew hand already. The way John z
andles all sorts of customers Is n Q
aution. Why. here the other day Y
e actually sold Mis- Pincher new J
lack alpacly aforc she knew il. b
vhich she hain't bought new dress c
his ten year, with all her money" p
md the old man chuckled with ST. h
mt laughter.
II happened into the store the
ther day. he continued. "when i
liver Rush. that Boston drummer. q
ONE in. He hadn't been in the store b
feared off all the old goods. Rush, d
e looked all around the store afore Il
e said word. a
"'Cap'n Rice he says, what you
cen doin'?' h
Oh says Enoch, my clerk here 81
rs been havin' kind OF An auction
sle Of the old goods, and fixin' up t.
rings little t.
"kush turned quicker'n lightnin'. u
M looked John all over, head to
,ot; but John, he never turned a Il
air, Jest KEEP right on mcasurin' OF b
dress for one Of the factory girls. 81
tell ye, sir, l see now what Johns 4