The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

eral Sinclaire's name and influence was potent in the commercial circles of New York and the entire country. He was President of one of the most powerful railroads in the East, chairman of the Board of Directors of one of the wealthiest banking institutions in that great money center, and a man whose character. public and private, was as much esteemed as the name that was signed to his checks.
 Tom Middleton. the man who had just had some plain truths put to him in a more forcible manner than ever reach ed him before. had just asked General Sinclaire for the hand of his only daughter, Edith. His father was one of the wealthy men of New York. He had never known a wish for anything without having that wish gratified. Be- ing in truth raised in the lap of lux uSy." he was naturally careless. thoughtless and idle. Wealth. however has never lived whose instincts were more loyal and refined than sunny natured Tom Middleton. His one sin was self-indulgence.
 The depth, the true worth of his nn- ture. was proved by the way in which he received General Sinclaire's words A smaller soul would have taken of fense at the plain language of the old man, but he took 1t in the spirit in which 1t was given.
 General" he said, q love Edith too dearly to do anything that might be hurtful to her. though God knows how proud I should be of the sacred privi- lege of taking care of her and trying to make her happy. She loves me, un- worthy as I am. If didn't know that, I should not have come to you today But she Is too true and pure, and al together lovable to ever do anything that would displease you. If l go in the world, start right at the founda tion, and make a man of myself, will you give me l2dith?"
 With all my heart" said the old man, always having 1t understood that her wishes are to be respected minutely."
 1mpulsively the two men grasped hands-the one with gray hair and the other with brown-the one who had fought the, world and conquered it and the other whose nature was even then beginning to be broadened and who was beginning the battle. And the interview was over.
 What is 1t Tom" was Ediths eager question. Tom told her everything.
 q don't want to ask you anything that would meet with the disapproval of your father, but won't you wait dear and let me find out if I am all froth?''
 With her arms about his neck and a long passionate kiss he didn't need the words with which she told him she would wait to come back to her with his shield. She couldn't bring herself to say lon his shield"
 In the shops of big railroad com 3., c for the first time in his life, earning his bread. It was far distance between the machiinist helper in blue overalls and the rich, New York clubman of a few weeks ago. When. on his request for work the foreman of the shops ask ed what he could do. he frankly told him that he knew absolutely nothing about the work; that he wanted to learn and was willing to begin at the bottom and do anything and every thing.
 Nobody knew who Le was, for in his desire to test his merit he did not bring any recommendation or letter that would disclose his idenIty. He wanted to be put on the some plane with the other men in the shop The honest face and resolute pu. pose made recom- mendations unnecessary, and he was taken on as machinst helper with wages. that would not have tipped the walters at his club.
 A good woman-the widow of an en- gineer who had lost his life in a wreck gave him board which was rough hut healthy. The heavy carpets in his room at home contrasted with the tiny room of his new quarters by floor bare but 1t was scrupulously clean. At home he had his man bring his coffee and roll about 12 o'clock after which
 n.a .T.. ing and playing cards he managed to kill time until o'clock when he would sit down to a sumptuQus dinner served by obsequious walters.
 Now. he tumbled out of his narrow bed at a. ID. dash She cold wa.er ever