The Democratic advocate., 1909-02-05
A Man in the Making.

The story Of Skaggles is very sim
pie, but 1t goes straight to that
spot In the heart that is always wait
ing to respond to the brave and sweet
things of life. Skaggles was not his
name. Some one gave him that title
the third day after he took the Job.
II was finally eurtailed to 'Skag. :"
When he first came 70 the Office he
fitted like a mouses tail in a we'll.
but he had an old look-the look of
burden beyond his years. He was
wan and pale, and his nose was red
every time he came in from the wealth
ef His shoes and stockings were
ventilated beyond endurance to any
body except a boy.
But Skag was a faithful worker
at first Bright and early he swept
the office and busted the desks--that
is, used the duster-and by eight
O'Clock he was over In his corner, his
hair plastered back and his face wash
ed, save for the high-water mark
above his neck.
But by degrees Skag's enthusiasm
over his new position languished. The
clerks complained OF unemptied waste
baskets and dusty desks. IL was also
noticed that Skag's clothes were daily
growing more shabby !. his hair longer,
his shoes more run over, and 1t was
evident that his mind was not on his
work.
A reprimand from the boss" had
the desired effect. He became more
punctual. took more interest in his
work. seemed CHEEKY, and sometimes
whistled a little. But sSkags work
was spasmodlc. II was not long be-
fore he was as bad as ever. His work
Jagged. he was slow about getting
round mornings, and his interest
outwardly, at least---was OF the wood
en- Indian variety. The crownlng and
final test OF endurance on the part OF
the Office force canm when he went
to sleep In his chair.
'Skag, come here -
II was the boss. Skag shufIled into
the managers private office. and sat
on the edge OF a chair, nervous and
fidgety. The boss did not speak for
"a mlnute-his way OF imprcssing
culprit.
"skag, this thing has gone far
enough You are not paying atten-
ton to your work. Look at the dust
on my desk--its frightful. This ~
Monday. I'll give you just one week.
Saturday Winds you up unless you
come out OF that trance. That's
all"
skag shifted and shunied back TO
his chair. where he tugged at the
seam OF his trousers and gazed va
cantly out OF the window.
The next morning the Office fairly
glistencd, and all through the week
bis work improved The ptenograph-
or even discarded her work sleeves
her desk WAS 80 clean.
But no one noticed that Skag'A face
was growing thinner and hiR eyeilds
more dropping.
Saturday night. after 1--WE o'clock.
Skag stayed and cleaned up the ofice
lie would be that much ahead when
Monday came.
Monday morning the Office was hs
clean as a Dutch kitchen. but there
Was no SkRE Noon arrived. and aiiii
no skag, at which the boss waxed
wrathy
Jones, 20 up to the kids house and
see what the trouble iH. Tell him II he
can't get here by two O'Clock. he
needn't come al all"
When Jones returned he vent into
the managers private Office and closed
the door. Later be came out with
long sheet OF paper Ia hls hand The
boss had headed The list with twenty
five dollars.
What brought It on - asked the
HtenogfRpher
Exposure. and not enough to keep
body and soul fogsthrf The kfd'a
been sitting w nights Sith her for
month. Funerals Wednesday"
SkRg " stiil working. He wears a
new suit, and the hlgh-water mark
round his neck has disappeared And
they do not call him Skagglea now
They call him by his right name