The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-08-12
Dana. When I got this place on

Dana. When I got this place on
Star they had a great jubilation.
think the Eagle got out special edi-
ton" He laughed and glanced at me
shamefacedly.
Aren't you getting on well?"
asked, trying to squeeze all the sym
pathy out Of my voice.
mot very well. There's a big diff
ference between this city and Scar
boro. l am beginning to have some
doubts as to my choice of profession.
But l must keep on for awhile.
think 1t would kill my mother If
should fail"
felt very uncomfortable and alto
gether at odds with myself. OF course
I was not responsible for the success
or failure Of this youth, but was too
fresh from the same struggle not to
have a fellow feeling for him and q
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?"
I asked abruptly, more from a need of
saying something than because cared.
"The city editor sent me to cover
the place, whatever that may mean
Didn't he give you any definite in
structionsT"
"Only that l shouldn't let anything
get by me-"
"And has anything gone by?" He
laughed.
Half a dozen 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, and / 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 i had leaned forward
and almost seized him. | 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 fresh and tormenting aspect
of the affair presented itself If / had
been guiltless before of having any
thing to do directly with the boys ap-
preaching downfall. was so no longer.
l 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 l
had transgressed the rules of ordinary
fairness and was conscious of a self
contempt that made me very wretched.
With some poor idea of squaring my
self l started In to give the youth some
advice about doing his work. Imagine
it. |, who. myself, was scarcely more
experienced than he. giving sapient
counsel! 1t was a grewsome business
for me, and l cut 1t very short. My
feelings We're further lacerated by the
youths heartfelt gratitude. He could
not express all that he felt.
II shall never forget your Kindness"
he said, ! looked at him. drawn by a
little catch In his voice. His eyes were
filed with tears. mumbled some
thing In reply and turned away. Then
made resolution, and at the instant
of its contamination the Office dooi
opened. The youth instantly turned his
back and sought his seat at the desk,
Billy came hurriedly out
"Come on" he said to me. 1--WE got
everything"
"Wait a minute" said.
'Not one to spare"
"Just second" pleaded. He stop