The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-09-03

n 10 kO DdCR W OShh DoAN'
10 have done 1t If it hadn't been for III
mother. You know what a felIoW
a mother Is and how she banks on n
4 success"
Indeed did, and 1 found 1t necessa
nv to stife a feeling of sympathy 10
, the poor chap. He went on:
; Because l ran the Scarboro Eagl
for a couple of years the folks u
there think I'm future Bennett
; Dana. When I got this place on tn
Star they had a great jubilation.
think the Eagle got out a special edi
ton" He laughed and glanced at m'
shamefacedly.
Aren't you getting on wellr
asked, trying to squeeze all the sym
patty out of my voice.
mot very well. There's a big diff
ference between this city and Scar
boro. 1 am beginning to have some
doubts as to my choice Of a profession
But 1 must keep on for awhile.
think 1t would kill my mother If
should fail"
l felt very uncomfortable and alto
gether at odds with myself OF course
was not responsible for the success
or failure of this youth, but 1 was too
fresh from the same struggle not to
have a 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.
G1NUho ra xyo1, OF haoHnna rtprS for ~
1 asked abruptly, more from a 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 shouldn't let anything
get by me-"
"And has anything gone byT He
laughed.
Half a dozen men went by few
minutes ago, but they didn't look much
like criminals"
"You can't always tell by appear
ances," l said lightly. 1t was danger
GUS ground, and / wanted to get of.
He seemed struck with the wisdom OF
my remark.
"Do you think 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. 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 q fresh and tormenting aspect
of the affair presented itself. II had
been guiltless before of having any
thing to do directly with the boys ap-
preaching downfall, was so no longer.
1 had become a positive agent to 1t.
Just how far the ethics of my duty to
the Gazette would justify me 1 could
not determine, but 1 felt keenly that /
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 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 1 cut II very short. My
feelings were further lacerated by the
youths heartfelt gratitude. He could
not express an that he felt.
'T 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
I made a 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. I've got
everything"
"wait a minute" said.
mot one TO spare"
Just a second" pleaded. He stop
ped.
"Now. then, what is itT'
"Moulton, you must tell that boy
what you found in the Office" said /.
He stared at me in amazement.
Are you crazy?" he asked.
"No, but he simply must be told"
Then. without giving him time to say
more. told him the boys story as
quickly as | could. / told him, too, Of
my share in 1t and of my shame and
self disgust Moulton listened impa- |
tiently.
cit can't be done" he said shortly as
finished.
but think what Il will mean-to |
him and to his mother"
Moulton looked at me and smiled.
You're a big baby" he said. Then
he turned TO the youth, whose back
was still toward us.
"Heyw he called. Come hererr
The youth rose slowly and turned.
''what is II, Billyy' he said, coming
forward
Moulton made an inarticulate sound,
as though he were choking; then By