The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-09-10
A MAN IN THE MAKING


The story OF skaggles-as Il Is toto
by a writer In the Associated Sunday
AIagaxines-ls very simple. but Il goes
straight 10 that spot In the heart that
is always waiting 10 respond TO ths
brave and sweet things OF life. skagsles
was not his name Some one gave MN
that title the third day after he took
the lob. IL was finally eurtailed 70
.Skag." When he first came 10 the
ONCE he fitted like a mOuses tall IN a
well but he had an old look-the look
OF a burden beyond his years lie was
wan aud pale. and his nose Was red
every time he came In from the wealth
or. His shoes and stockings were ven
tilated beyond endurance to anybody
except a boy.
But skag was a faithful worker-at
first Bright and early he swept the
Office aad busted the desks-that Is.
used the duster-and by eight o'clock
he was over In his corner, his hair plasr
tered back and his face washed. save
for the hlgh-water mark about bis neck
But by degrees Skag's enthusiasm
over his new position langulshed. The
clerks complained OF unemptied waste
baskets and dusty desks Il was also
noticed that skags clothes were daily
growing more shabby. his hair longer.
his shoes more run over, and L was
evident that his mind was not ON bis
work.
A reprlmand from the boss" had the
desired effect lie became more pune
tual. took more interest In his work.
seemed CHEEKY. and sometimes whisiied
little. But Skag's work was spas
modic II Was not long before he Was
as bad as ever His WORK lagsed. be
was slow shout getting round MORNINGS.
aud his interest-outwardiy al least
was of the wooden Indian variety. The
browning and nnal test % enduranee
on the part OF the once force cams
when be went TO sleep In his chair.
-skag. come here.-
II was the boss skag shufned into
the managers private onics. and sat GA
the edge Of a chair. nsrvous and
ndsety. The boss did not speak Zoe
mlnute-his way Of impgessing a eui-
prif.
',Skag. this thing has gone far
enough You are MOI paying atteltion
10 your work. LOOK AZ the duet on my
desk-lt's frizhtfuL This b Monday.
III give you iuss ons week. Saturday
winds you up unless you eDms ouE q
that trance. That's all"
skag shifted and khufied back % bis
chair, where he tuxged AZ the seam Ca
bis trousers and CARED Vaeanfly cot q
the window.
The next morning the oeacs fairly
gilstensd. AID all through The week
his work improved Tbs stenographer
even discarded her Work sleeves. her
desk was ~ clean.
But no one noticed that skaE's face
was growing thinner and his syriids
more dropping.
Saturday night. after 6vs O'Clock.
skng stayed and cleaned up the ogace.
lie would b. that much ahsad when
Monday came.
Monday morning the one vas a.
lean - Dutch kitchen. bot there was
no sag. Noon arrived. and attn no
skag. az which the boas waved wrathy.
Jones. 20 up 10 the kids hou.s and
~ what the trouble Ia Toll him n b
ant got here By two O'Clock. b. ncsin't
,ome at an.-
When Jones returned BE- went into
ne Managers private osice a1d closed
he door. Later b. came out with q
onx sheet Of paper IN his hand. The
'oss had headed the Lat with twenty
I've dollars
what brought Il orr asked tho
tenograpber.
Exposure. and not enough to keep
ody and soul together. The KIDS been
lifting up nights with her for a month.
Wednesday,
skag IL atm working Tie wears q
lew suit. aad the hizh-water marx
ound his neck has disappeared. And
hey do not cnli him skaxxIes now.
her call him By bis right name.