Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-09-22
NO CHANCE.

general gathering place OF a little VII
lage in the mountains.
No" said Silas, mot the least
chance in the world. The only thing
you can do is to go out with these
city folks as guide in summer; in the
winter you might as well be dead as
to live in this little, out of the way
place"
"Wieh l was in the city" returned
Abe. Don't see why those city fel-
lows have all the chances, and we get
none"
1t was Saturday night, and group
Of half-grown boys had gathered, as
their nightly custom was, at the viii
lage store, to chat and lounge. Not
bad looking boys, either, but more
ready to wish than to work; so
thought DR.. James Windrow, the fa-
nous city preacher, who, just coming
in for his mail, overheard their talk.
He had run away from the exacting
and exhausting duties Of the pastor of
large church for a rest among the
mountains, where he could wear old
clothes and 60 fishing. But, being
asked by the pastor OF the little white
painted church to occupy the pulpit
for Sunday. he had consented. Could
he do anything to help these boys?
Suddenly thought struck him, and
as he passed out he said pleasantly,
Hope to see you all at church to-
morrow evening. l am going to speak
especially to young men"
To be spoken to by the famous
preacher, and to be addressed as
young men" were both novelties,
and every boy was in the church that
Sabbath evening when DR.. Windrow
rose to speak. His subject was, Make
the Most of Yourself. He showed
how, In spite of contrary circum-
stances, men have made a success Of
life. Joseph, the slave boy, became
prime minister OF Egypt, David, the
shepherd, rose to be King of Israel,
Abraham Lincoln, the rail splitter
was our war president, and Garfield,
the tow.path boy, occupied the White
House. Booker T. Washington, once
a slave, is now the foremost colored
man of America, and Helen Keller,
the deaf and dumb girl, was a suc-
cessful university student
The boys were all interested and
enthusiastic. But in three days the
enthusiasm had subsided, and they
were in their old place again, idling
away tie evenings and croaking the
same old complaint-"No chance.
All, did l say2 All but one little
fellow, the youngest of the lot. As
he went home that Sabbath evening
the words Of the minister kept ring
ing in his ears, "If you haven't a
chance, make one" But how could
he?
All the next day Jimmie was in
deep thought. What shall I try to
be2" was the question. I'm not
good enough scholar to be minister,
lawyer or doctor. l don't want to be
bookkeeper or clerk in a store, with
little hope Of being anything else.
But do like machinery; always
study it when get chance. And
the teacher says that l draw better
than any one else in the school.
"Well," he said at last, eff have
enc talent it's drawing, and I suppose
l might as well begin to double that.
l heard DR.. Windrow say draughts-
men in Philadelphia get good wages,
at least they seem to me good, and if
l get that far l can rise higher. III
write to Cousin Tom. He lives in
the city and will know all about it.
III ask him to send me books on me-
chsnical drawing, and instruments
and paper. And III send, to pay for
them, that ten dollars earned this
summer. That's my invested capital
l must make it pay"
So the letter was written, and
very eager boy waited for the result.
Ten days passed then he received by
express goodly package addressed to
Mr.. James Trumbull. Quickly open
ing it, the delighted boy found a
drawing beard, 7 square, a box Of
shining instruments, paper, ink, and
books. The ten dollars he had sent
he thought sum large enough to
purchase fine outfit; but the Cousin,
knowing how little it would buy, had
added more than the original amount,