The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-05-01
"wOUNDs OF A FRIEND"


Mundy wanted another clerk" Mrs.
Martin remarked as they sat at tea
one night, "and believe you'd bet
ter apply. 1t might be good place
for you-your father always said Mr..
Mundy was an honorable man."
"All right, mother; I'll see him in
the morning" George was really
pleased with the notion of getting this
position.
"Why not tonight ?"
"Oh," he replied, "the mornings S
the best time to tacklea business man.
He's fresh then-he'd be tired and
cross at night. Again George salved
his conscience with this reason,
though he knew he hankered for an
other evening with the boys.
eff I get the place, I s'pose I'll
have to stay in the store evenings"
he thought, regretfully.
The next morning, neatly dressed
and looking his best, George applied
at Mr.. Mundy's store. He was
shown into small private room at
the back, where the proprietor had
his desk.
"Too late," Mr.. Mundy said some
what curly. 4 engaged clerk last
evening""
"Lasr evening |" Georges mind
rapidly went over what he was doing
then. Mr.. Mundy watched the boys
face and his own became less severe.
"Stop moment, George he re-
sumed. II want to say few words.
I knew and respected your father. 1
know and respect your mother. I
don't want their son to make mess
of life. So let me tell you frankly, it
would make no difference if had not
engaged some one else. take no
boy or man into my employ who be-
longs to the street corner brigade. I
want self-respecting people-not loaf
ers to work for me. Other business
men feel the same. If you're wise
you II rene inherit. Good morning"
Crestfallen, George bowed himself
out, though even at that moment he
was glad he could truthfully tell his
mother that the place was already fill
ed. She need not know the other
shameful reason.
"Faithful are the wounds of a
friend" Mr.. Mundy's words had
cut as he meant they should. George
did some serious thinking. He had
will-power, once it was aroused.
"Loafer." The term stung. George
Martin loafer? Not If George Mar
tin could help it !
"I'l1 not be seen in that vicinity
again at present." he said. "I'll go
a mile around, rather than up and
down that walk. I'll read and study
at home. Mother'll like that. I'll
take up bookkeeping and be ready
for a higher position" 1t showed
the boys good stuff that he kept to
these resolutions, though he had to
set his teeth to do it. Six months
from that time a message from Mr..
Mundy surprised him. He went
once more into the little Office and the
prompt business man broached the
subject at once.
''James Barton has fallen sick, and
isn't likely to get we'll in a hurry.
The position is yours if you wish to
take it. I've watched you all these
months. I've seen that the bitter
pill did you good. A young man
who can break off evil associations
short and sharp, as you did, is the one
for me-"
George lifted a frank face-no
shame In it now.
"I've wanted to thank you, sir"
he said. cts been the making of
me. And now you offer me the
place."
His features worked with emotion,
but, of course, a boy never cries, and
he soon brought them into smile.
'I'll be glad to come"
A year later George Martin was
Mr.. Mundy's bookkeeper while the
shiftless members of the street corner
brigade wondered why he had such
good luck and they didn't.