Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-08-09


weeks all did find was lot Of advice
to 60 back to Scarboro. l think would
have done it If it hadn't been for my
mother. You know what a fellows
mother Is and how she banks on his
success"
Indeed did, and I found it necessa-
ry to stife feeling Of sympathy for
the poor chap. He went on:
Because l ran the Scarboro Eagle
for couple of years the folks up
there think I'm a &uture Bennett or
Dana. When 1 got this place on the
Star they had a great jubilatton. l
think the Eagle got out a special edi-
ton" He laughed and glanced at me
| sha mefaeedly.
Aren't you getting on well?' I
asked. trying to squeeze all the SYM
pathy out of my voice.
MOT very well. There's big diff
| ference between this city and Scar
boro. l am beginning to have some
doubts as to my choice of a profession.
But l must keep on for awhile. l
think 1t would kill my mother If I
should fall
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 l was too
fresh from the same struggle not to
have fellow feeling for him and
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?"
l asked abruptly, more from 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
structions?"
only that 1 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," l said lightly. 1t was danger
Gus ground. and l wanted to get off.
He seemed struck with the wisdom Of
my remark.
do you think ought to go into the
office and find outT' he asked.
"Oh. no; it's probably nothing" an
swered. Fortunately be was looking
at the door Of the office and not at me.
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 fresh and tormenting aspect
of the affair presented itself. If l had
been guiltlesS before of having any
thing to do directly with the boys ap-
preaching downfall, l 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 | could
not determine. but l felt keenly that
had transgressed the rules Of ordinary
fairness and was conscious of self
contempt that made me very wretched.
With some poor idea of sGuaring 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 q grewsome business
for me, and l cut it very short Ny
feelings were further lacerated by the
youths heartfelt gratitude. He could
not express all that he felt.
81 shall never forget your kindness, 81
he said. / looked at him. drawn by a
little catch in his voice. His eyes were
filled with tears. | mumbled some
thing in reply and turned away. Then
| made a resolution, and at the instant
of it's contamination 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. 1--WE got
everything"
"Wait minute" said .
"Not one to spare"
Just a second" pleaded. He stop
= ped.
: Now. then, what is it?''
I MouliO1, yOu leil tudC DON
what you found in the Office" said
q He stared at me in amazement
q "Are you crazy?" he asked.
mo, but he simply must be told
Then. without giving him time to say
; more. / told him the boys story as
7 quickly as l could. told him. too. OF
my share in it and Of my shame anG
self disgust. Moulton listened impa
tiently.
: "It can't be DONE" he said shortly a.
j.. l finished.
But think what it will mean-tt
= him and to his mother"
q MOulton looked at me and smiled.
J. You're big baby" he said Their
+ he turned to the youth, whose bacl
!. was still toward u.s.
q Hey" he called. Come herew
. The youth rose slowly and turned