Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-02-06

JACK came nome from Scn0Ol TO MS fatn-
er's funeral, and he never went back again.
He and his mother had to make a fight for
life. The mothers friends did a little for
her. and she managed to get little house
of furniture together and to let lodgings to
city clerks and so to make both ends bread
and cheese. Jack. thanks to the same peo-
ple----people who had known the Smedleys
in their better days"-was lucky enough
to obtain a situation In the Office of stock
broker. He was really only superior err
rand boy at frst but he was paid ten
help to the widow in her struggles with the
landlord and the rate collector. not to men,
ton the baker and the butcher.
Jack was q handsome boy and an amiable
boy. He had been favorite at school, and
he was soon favorite with his employers.
He was quick, bright and industrious, and al
ways a gentleman. After he had been in
the office two years he was clerk and had
f75 year. and when he was twenty-one
he was a superior clerk and had $3.50.
1t was just when he came of age that
wound up her little estate went into lodg-
ings and started. in the elegant phrase Of
the period, entirely on his own hook"
Fortunately for young Smedley. before his
independence, his loneliness. his handsome
face and his charming manners had led him
into the dangerous by-paths Of London life.
he fell over head and ears In love with
mamma In the house. Rose Leacroft was
lady. Her papa had been n lieutenant in,
the navy. He had died of .malarial fever
his wife and little daughter about $50
year. Mrs. Leacroft liked the handsome
young stockbroker they called Jack very
%soh ne %rs
croft thought a great deal of family. Peo-
pie who come down in the world generally
do. 1t Is great consolation to them IN
no short commons. no indignity on the part
of landlords or tradespeople can rob them
Of their birthright. They may be poor. but
fhnxr uyoIl har n may
be the worse for wear, they may ride in
omnibuses, and they may not always have
butchers meat for dinner. but still they are
ladies and gentlemen by birth.
When Mrs. Leacroft found that Jack
Smedley was real" gentleman, she smiled
upon him and was gracious. and she dis
years gone by known some of his "people."
and she was able to tell him whom his
great aunts married and what relation he
was BY marriage to Sc, several people, s.sv who
tions to Her Majesty and among the guests
at the balls and receptions Of the season.
And when Jack and Rose discovered that
they were In love with each other. Mrs.
Leacroft was glad Mr.. Smedley was a ris-
ing young man. He was sure to attain q
good position In the city, and though bust
ness man he was the scion OF county
family"
It was not very long courtship. Six
months after they were engaged Jack and
little house in the Camden-road and had
one little maid all-work and were very
economical. for they had determined to save
all they could and never, never to get into
debt or to launch out beyond their means.
1t was q happy little home. and II grew
happier as Jacks position improved and they
had a big grown-up servant. and the little
drawing began TO I'LL with elegant
nick hacks. and Rose had prettier and more
expensive dresses. and they could give mod
est little dinner parties and take their holt
day comfortably at the seaside, not In lodg-
fngs but at the best hotel.
Then they moved to q bigger house and
had stalls at the theaters and at the opera.
and a hired brougham took them and
brought them home, and they soon began
to taste the pleasure of being 'well-to-do."
Everything prospered with Jack after his
marriage. The arm had been pleased with
him before. They were delighted with him
now. He was married. and that removed
the last drawback to their complete conf
dence In him. handsome young fellow
of one and-t twenty is not desirable as q
confidential clerk as young married man
of the same age.
So perfect was the firms faith in Jack
that when the head clerk started in busi-
ness for himself, Jack took his place. and
from that moment was absolute. He saw
the principal clients, managed the biggest
jobs signed checks In the firms name.. and
took over the entire command OF the ship
and the partners. who were growing old and
had made their 'pile." gradually left the
business more and more to him. until at last
they did as he told them. instead of telling
him what he was to do for them. And