The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-01-10
SANS SUCCESSES,
A New Years Story


| Sam was the oldest of five little pick
aninnies, and his lot was not an enviable
| one, but in his soul was a great Low,
! for the beautiful. He had a passion TO,
! flowers and in the small patch OF ground
about the cabin he made his little gar
| den; here he gathered the early spring
| viOlets and he often found Il purchaser
in the lady who lived in the big house
around the corner Mrs. George became
| interested in the little colored boy. and
there came Il day when Sam was in.
stalled as a cleaner OF windows and help.
er about the place in general. His love
of order and neatness soon made fol
him 4 renutation and he climbed another
round Of the ladder of success and was
given the position of assistant to the
Cook, cleaning vegetables and arranging
the dishes OH the trays for Thomas, the
butler. Sam thought it would be fine
to be butler and wear a suit as Thorn
as did, but such an exalted state was
So far away that he tried to be content
to do the best he could as helper, little
realizing what was in store for him as
a reward Of faithful service.
1t was New Years cay, and there
were. noted guests at the big house. At
the last minute Thomas was taken ill
and what was to be done? Sam listened
to the discussion and finally ventured to
ask that he might serve.
But YOU have never waited on table,
Sam, aud do. not understand.'
I've watched Thomas, Missus, and
I'm shuh can do it,
Mrs. George was worried, but there
seemed no other way out of the diff
Guilty, and it would never do to make a
failure of the. great dinner, SO she told
Sam to do his best. The cook helped
him to. dress, and he was funny little
too large for him, but he felt we'll
dressed and was quite dignifcd and i'm
portant, and in his buttonhole he wore
a pansy. He always wore a flower if
ne could find one anywhere, and when
ms mistress saw the pansy and Sans
serious face, she could hardly rcprcss
smile, but she had explained matters to
the guests and they were all interested.
WITH only slight mistake, he did his
work we'll, and when his mistress COM
plimented him and said, Sam, you did
bravely, and l think you will have to
help Thomas often" his heart tiuttcrcd
Nanny of his new glory
The next evening he was summoned
to the library; this was unusual and
he was filled with apprehension. but
when he went in he felt assured by the
WELCOME he saw in his masters face.
..1 lone lone mere, my boy" said Mr.. George
No bad news, sahY
mo, no, Sam; but this gentleman
wishes to take you up North With him. y
SANS eyes grew large and he was
speechless: The North was a world OF
which he had often heard and it seemed
llke fairy tale that he was wanted
Il have told Mr.. Smith that Won arc
a trustworthy, honest boy, and he is
looking for just such a chan to act rs
porter IN his office; and as it is a fine
opening for you: 1 have decided to let You
go II you wish.''
It was. arranged, and Sam was soon
taxing MS first journey, whizzing away
to the North, feeling very strange and a
little faint-hearted.
Yes, he, was homesick, but he was
plucky and soon worked himself into the
favor of his new employer and those
about him, and he felt that the resolu-
ton he had made on New Years day-to
always place the interest Of those for
whom he worked above everything else
had not been in vain.
A few months later Mr.. Smith said
70 ms wife: Il believe Sam lies awake
nights, thinking OF things he can do to
a year went by and Sam was allowed
~ .une a UP HUMe. 1n1S was New
Years gift from Mr.. Smith, and an IN
expected pleasure, and Sam could hardly
credit his good fortune. When he re-
turned he found that he had been trans
ferred from Mr.. Smiths private Office to
the Central Savings bank. with the as
surance that 1t was given him because
they believed him worthy to fill a place
VI tTus1: ne mad made a new resolve
On the New Years day at home. and he
and Nanny had talked and planned
many things, the main one being that he
should save his money and 20 to college
Another year went by and Mr. Smith
was surprised one day to have Sam asl,
him If ne would open bank account for
him.
How much money have YOU, Sam:'
TWENTY-FIVE dolla's, sah."
"Iwelrty-five dollars, and you have
been se a;ah =; money home to your
For the first time Mr.. Smith had mis-
sivings about Sam.
i have earned it, sab, biackin' Shoes
tMornin's and nights, sah.''
uniform?'
mo, sab; haye an o:c suit bought
Mr.. Smith felt dubious about this story
and not a little worried. and he decided
~ 1ufeaStlEdte Tile DOOl-Dl1CklnS business.
so one morning a week later, nc left the
house early and took walk to the bus;
corners. near the bank, but no Sam was
to be seen. He somehow felt disap-
pointed and was on his way home when
someone came from behind and touched
his arm. and he turned to see a very
ragged suit of clothes and Sans smiling
face above it.
Good mornin', Mr.. Smith. Have a
shina?' -
"Well. Sam, must ask your pardon,
this time: I would never have known
our well-dressed porter IN those rags; You
must have better clothes even for this
work."
''You didn't believe me, did you, sab ~
Sam asked, his face growing serious
Mr.. Smith grasped his hand warmly.
eve will call it square, Sam. and I
would like to. add ten to that new
bank account"
Some time after this, Sam learned
the BARRIERS trade, and worked at it
during extra hours. and in that vay his
bank account steadily grew, and he felt
that he was on the road to success: hnt
trouble was ahead. He was now nearly
20, and for some months had been sleep
ing in the bank as a special guard. and
felt the responsibility of the situation.
One night the bank was robbed of
quite sum Of money and some very
valuable papers. The morning after the