The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-09-25

r"o 60 VA o'oVo ohu Cookcu his own
scant meals. He had grown up IN so
severe school of poverty that this
seemed no hardship to him. His
mother, once tho matter was settled =.
did all she could for the bow and
brought him from the little farm much
OF what he required. SO at the ond of
the month he had surplus enough to
buy a cheap, but neat suit of store
clothes, a reputable hat and q pair of
shoes. But he had not waited for the
clothes to pursue his plans. As soon
as he had adjusted himselfto to his new
duties AMI modo Of life he enrolled
himself in FREQ night school. His
ignorance at his age shocked the
with which he tackled his tasks and his
thorough mastery of them won their
admiration, and he was advanced rapid
ly until soon he was In classes where
the pupils were nearly as old rs he.
At first the boys guycd him fcarfully,
his soiled jeans and his ill-fitting home
made jacket, his clumplng boots and
ragged cap making HIM fair game. He
gritted his teeth and answered not q
word. When he appeared in his new
clothes, however, with hair cut and
shoes nicely polished, The guying
ceased.
He worked with consuming energy
His hours at work were much shorter
than the old grind at hone, but he
gave himself even less sleep than of
old. He begrudgod every minute of
cooking or eating or sleeping and
toiled over his books until far in the
night. But he did not neglect his
duties to Byron Il King. He gave
the most faithful delivery they ever
had, and they remarked it. No mis-
takes were made Oh his route. One
day clerk was sick and Phil was told
to work in the store that day. The
impression he made OH the customers
was 80 good and he was altogether
such crcditablc person in the store,
that The firm concluded to keep him
there and advanced his wages TO $35
q month. This was ailuence. IIc
could now spare some money for his
mother each month.
lie took hold of his new work with
zcst and soon nearly all the customers
who came to the store wanted him to
wait on them. lie made no mistakes
and was courteous and prompt with all.
Shelly e. Prince across the street heard
so many expressions of approval of
young Doran that they offered him
$45 month to come to them. Byron
IL King promptly offered him $50 to
stay. After awhile they began to
trust him with collections. lie sur
priscd them by the results he attained.
All the time he was pursuing his
studies with undiminished vigor, taking
up, in addition to the plain branches,
bookkeeping. So when the bookkeep
or fell ill, Phil was the only employee
able to jill his place, and when he died, ,
was given the place permanently
$G0 month. lie was now able to
give his mother more money than COM
pensatcd for his absence. He still
clung to his frugal life and to his
studies. Something over two years
after Phil invaded the city the head of
Il great abstract firm in conversation
with one Of the teachers of the night
school was criticising the school
system, and dcploring that no
longer could be found young men of
thoroughness and responsibility to
whom could be entrusted important
work without constant watching. In
flash the teacher replied, Do you
want such a young man?"
"That 1 do, and urgently" was the
reply. " If l could find him l would
pay handsome wages and offer a splcn-
did prospect of advancement. as 1t is,
suppose l must find a bright boy,
unspoilud by the schools, and educate
him."
"I can send you one," responded
The teacher, and she told him of Phil
Doran. He looked him up and was 80
impressed by the warm commentator
of Byron & King, that he offered Phil
800 month and promise of beng
advanced to the management of an i'm
portant branch Of the business.
Phil went TO the abstract company
and his progress there was as certain
as it had been before. 1t is unneces.
sary to further follow his business
career. His advancement was rapid
and certain. He developed a genius
for trading in real estate and while yet
young man had laid the foundation
for promising future.
In the meantime, after entering the
abstract office, he gave up some of the
hard night study, and devoted a por-
tlon OF his time to social development.
Tie went into respectable society. lie
applied himself to learning the courte-
sizes of life. He
But why follow his career further?
The end is inevitable. There was
wedding at the Hunter home a few
weeks ago. After the ceremony Phil
escorted his mother, who was yerv
uncomfortable in a shimmcrng dress
ol black silk, to a secluded alcovc.
scntly Kissed her and said, Was /
foolish mother?''
ana there blended in his voice notcs
OF triumph and happiness. '''