The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-08-26

| it as easy as ex-
nected For tbroe "-irc yO1t Il reporter?
weeks all did find was d lot of advice
to go back to Scarboro. think would
have done it if it hadn't been for my
mother. You know what fellows
mother is and how she banks on his
success"
Indeed I did, and l found it necessa-
ry to stifle feeling Of sympathy for
the poor chap. He went on:
Because 1 ran the Scarboro Eagle
for couple Of years the folks up
there think I'm future Bennett or
Dana. When l got this place on the
Star they had a great jubilation. I
think the Eagle got out a special edi-
ton" He laughed and glanced at me
shamefacedly.
aren't you getting on well! l
asked. trying to squeeze all the SYM
pathy out of my voice.
"Not very well. There's q big diff
ference between this city and Scar
boro. l am beginning to have some
doubts as to my choice Of a profession.
But | must keep on for awhile. l
think it would kill my mother If ]
should fail"
I felt very uncomfortable and alto
cether at odds with myself. OF course
was not responsible for tie success
or failure of this youth. but was too
fresh from the same struggle not to
| have q fellow feeling for him and a
keen regret for the discontinue that
would be delayed only long enough for
his city editor to find out how he had
failed in this case.
"What are you at headquarters for!'
1 asked abruptly, more from need OF
saying something than because cared.
1.-THE city editor sent me to cover
the place, whatever that may mean"
Didn't he give you any definite in
structions?"
"Only that I shouldn't let anything
get by me-"
"And has anything gone by" He
laughed.
"Half a do" a men went by a few
minutes ago, but they didn't look much
like criminals"
"You can't always tell by appear
ances," ! said lightly. 1t was danger
GUS ground, aud l wanted to get off.
| He seemed struck with the wisdom OF
my remark.
"Do you think 1 ought to go into the
Office and find out?" he asked.
"Oh, no; It's probably nothing" | an
swered. Fortunately he was looking
| at the door of the office and not at me.
In my agitation l had leaned forward
and almost seized him. l might have
spared myself the stress Of mind. In
stead Of showing any disposition to act
upon my stupidity made hint he seemed
| relieved at my assurance and appar'
emily dismissed the subject from his
mind.
To me a fresh and tormenting aspect
| of the affair presented itself. II hac
been guiltless before Of having any
thing to do directly with the boys ap'
preaching downfall, l was so no longer.
1 had become a positive agent to it.
Just how far the ethics Of my duty to
the Gazette would justify me l could
not determine, but felt keenly that |
had trarsgressed the rules Of ordinary
fairness and was conscious of sell
contempt that made me very wretched
With some poor idea Of squaring my,
self started in to give the youth some
advice about doing his work. Imagine
it! l, who, myself, was scarcely more
experienced than he. giving sapient
! counsel. 1t was grewsome business
for me, and l cut it very short. My
feelings were further lacerated by the
youths heartfelt gratitude. He could
not express all that he felt.
81 shall never forget your kindness.
he said. looked at him. drawn by a
little catch in his voice. His eyes were
fllcd with tears. mumbled some,
| thing in reply and turned away. Then
| made resolution. and at the instant
| of It's consummation the office door
opened. The youth instantly turned his
| back and sought his seat at the desk,
Billy came hurriedly out.
"Come on" he said to me. eve got
everything"
"Wait q minute" said.
"Not one to spare"
"JuHt q second" pleaded. He stop
ped.
''Now, then, what IS it?'
"Moulton, you must tell that boy
what you found in the Office said l.
He stared 0t me in amazement.
"Are you crazy?" he asked.
'No. but be simply must be told
Then. without giving him time to say
more, l told him the boys story as
quickly as could. l told him. too, OF
my share in it and of my shame and
self disgust. Moulton listened impa
tIently.
at cent be DONE" he said shortly as
l finished.
"But think what 1t will mean-tc
} him and to his mother
Moulton looked at me and smiled.
you're a big baby" he said. Their
he turned to the youth, whose back
was still toward us.
, 'TIeyw he called "Come here"
The youth rose slowly and turned.
"What is II, Billy?" he said. coming
! forward
Moulton made an inarticulate sound
as though he were choking: then by