Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-01-22
.OSIAH wa.

nil Stdlu, TeSpeCIdDle Hldn, WHOSE
" life had been u%neventful and
mOnOtonous; he was what One might
call an average man. He had obtained,
when fourteen years of age, a position
as Grand boy in a retail dry goods
store. From this store no ambition
had ever tempted him; there he had re-
NAMED, and in his m%ethodical way had
plOdded step by step. higher and high
er, till he had become head salesman
at a salary Of fifteen dollars a week.
Josiah, at the age Of twenty-five,
had married. He loved his wife in his
own way; and then, as he always
said, TT is so much cheaper to live!"
Poor Josiah discovered his mistake by
the time he was the father of eight
children; and often in his Respondent
moods longed for the time when he, a
happy bachelor, had lived in an attic
and dined how and when he pleased.
But Josiah was a thoroughly honest
man, and after these retrospective and
respondent musings redoubled his ex-
ertons to solve the problem-how to
pay rent, clothe his family, and settle
the thousand and one little bills con-
tnually intruding themselves-all on
fifteen dollars a week. But, to his
credit be it said, his family was pro-
vided for well; the children were
warmly If cheaply clad; the. wife al
ways looked neat, nor did they suffer
TOT food; true, they had few amuse-
ments or luxuries, and poor Josiah
0ften felt ashamed Of his threadbare
coat, for he would rather 60 shah
by himself than be ashamed Of his
wife and children.
In this manner Josiah lived until his
lorty'hfth year; then he received a
great surprise. His employer had each
year grown more feeble, and left more
anu more the charge of the store to
'Osiah. Many men under such cir
eumstances would have demanded
more pay, but not so Josiah; it seemed
only natural to him that he should
give his best endeavors to his en-
poyer' who, however, made no COM
uent upon his assistants faithful
work; but Josiah was content with
ae thought of duty properly per-
formed.
VI the morning Of the first of March,
'Vsian's birthday, he came to the store
- lis usual hour, but his seedy coat
~re upon its lapel a little bunch of
~'nouse flowers, his natal gift from
us wire and children. He went to
us work light-heartedly on this par
s'u'ar morning. 1t was his nature to
" nappy, and only an occasional
sOomy spell over some unusual ex-
psuSe broke his GENERALLY unrufled
~enity. This morning, however, he
was particularly happy. When he had
%s'eu himself for his breakfast of por-
Nv see una molasses he had found at
"a pate a bunch of flowers, which his
Sne' amidst the joyful wishes of her
S4nuren' had pinned upon his coat.
saange as 1t may seem, this matter-of-
%Nt man had a passionate fondness
mowers, rarely gratified; but to-day,
ne started to his work, the remem-
~ lance OF his happy home and the odor
ue flowers stimulated him to a
"ase Of unusual joy.
mhen his employer arrived Josiah
s. s,'ea MIN with a pleasant smile, but
, Suced regretfully how weak he
n, AnF' he thought, "what a sorrow
~ NE Tor poor MI. Alden, all alone
s,a ans age! 1 would not change places
s M% nim, I am sure. What is money
uncut h~appiness?"
'oslah," said Mr.. Alden, "I have
""~ething to say to you"
MT, les sir" answered Josiah, ur-
%Seo at the impressive tone Of his
bs. s0slah," said Mr.. Alden, you have
bo,. with mt ever since you were a
- nave watched the unfolding Of