The Washington times., 1911-01-11
To Him hat Hath Rz s.;!; 5zRo7 ~. SCOT &c.?
Copyright. The Frank A. Munsey Coz

! large, dingy room, with dirty. Uttered
floor, and grime-coated windows. Young
men, coatless, high-geared, sat at desks,
clicking typewriters or scribbling with
| pencils; boys, answering the quick
cries of "Copyr' scurried about through
the heavy tobacco smoke The room
was a rectangular solid of bustling in
| tensity.
The city editor, who occupied a cor
ner OF the room, waved David to
chair. Again David repeated the for
mula of his desire, and again he was
asked his experience.
i've have no experience on paper,
he replied, but I've done lot OF writ
ing in private way" >,
You're practically a new man then. y
The editor thought for a moment, and
David eagerly watched his face. 1t was
business-like, but kindly. Why, l guess
might take the trouble to lick man
into shape-if he seems to have the
right stuff in him. Anyhow. l might
! give you a trial But you're not very
Whatve YOU been working att"
David felt the guilty color warming
his cheeks. Writing"
"All the timer"
He tried to speak naturally. The last
few years I have been trying to do
some-manual work"
Here in the city,?
mo, out of town.
The editor could not but notice Da-
vids flushed face and it's strained look.
wrinkled In thought. David watched
him, almost choking. striving to force
a natural look upon his face. "Aldrich,"
the editor said to hmseif, t. "AldriGh1 Iitas.
familiar. Where have 1 heard that in
the last few days."
II don't know" said David. his lips
dry: but he thought OF paragraph he
had read on the ride from prison an
"O-o-h!' said the editor. His eyes
sharpened David understood-the edi-
tor also remembered the paragraph.
I'm very sorryLbut I'm afraid I can't
use you after all. I really don't need
any men. But hope you'll find some
ting without trouble"
The blow was gently delivered. but
1t was still blow-one that. as he
walked dazedly from the office, made
his courage totter. He told himself that
he had counted upon just such expert
ences as this, that he had planned for a
month of rebuffs-and gradually. as the
evening went by, he preached spirit back
into himself. However, he would make
no further attempts TO find newspaper
work. Even should he be so lucky as to
secure place. some one of the score or
two score fellow-workers would be GER
tain to connect him with the newly lib
Grated convict, as the editor had done,
and-discharge. For the present. ii
would be better to seek position among
the large business houses.
The next morning David had an inter
view with the superintendent OF the
house that had advertised for ship
ping clerk. The superintendent scruti-
nized David's face, making David feel
that the prison mark was appearing,
like an image on developing plate,
and then demanded: Why do you want
a job like this? This amt your class"
Because I need IT."
Had any experience as a shipping
no: But I'm mighty willing to
well lets see your letters from
David hesitated. II have none He
felt the red proclamation of his record
begin to burn in his cheeks.
Have none" The superintendent
looked suspicious.
mo references at all?"
David shook his head: his cheeks
famed redder.
"Who've you worked for?"
To mention here his four years of
writing would be absurd. mo one," he
stammered- that is, I've had no bust
ness experience.
The superintendent reply came out
sharply: mo experience-no references
can't usa you. Good morning"
David stumbled out. not noticing the
relief his detection gave the other ap-
plicants waiting outside the office He
saw the difficulty of his situation with a
new, startling clearness: the superinten-
dent had summed II up with business
like concseness-''no experience. no ref
erences" A sudden fear. a sudden con-
sternation, clutched him. Would no
ever be able to pass that great fall
standing between him and a position;
that wall builded OF his prison record,
OF no experience, or no references7
Whether or not he must try. He hur-
ried to another office that had adyer-
tised for help, and to another and to
another-and so on. for days Usually
he was turned away because there was
really no work. but several times be-
cause to the penetrating questions he
could return only distrust-arousing an
swers. His courage tried 10 escape; but
he caught 1t and held it desperately.
Saturday evening an expressman de-.
liyered a box sent by his old New Jer-
sey landlady. The charge was dollar,
and the dollars payment was a tragedy.
The box contained only few OF the
things he had left behind him. His