The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-05-20
A Miser's
Money
And How It Was Turned
to a Useful Purpose
By ESTHER VANDEVEER



John Borlan was a country boy who
had gone to the city to make his for
tune. He had parted, the night before
leaving home, with Mabel Burroughs
at the gate of her fathers home, both
pledging themselves to be true to each
other till Johns return, when he had
become successful, and they would be
married. A~~ .--
Mabel was a practical girl. She had
known Of other young men going to
the city to make their fortunes, some
OF whom had come back threadbare
and hungry and some remained away,
but she had never heard Of any Of
them making fortunes. One had been
gernaut car that rolls over those who
fail in the struggle in a great city.
While John was plcturing to her how
he would work early and late, saving
all he made except for bare living
she listened doubtingly.
Anyway, Johnny, whether you come
back rich or poor, you'll find me here
waiting for you, and I'll welcome you
just as heartily if you are poor as if
you are rich. But against one thing
let me caution you. If you find that
the battle is going against you come
back. Don't stay in the city to be
crushed"
John promised, and with long en-
brace they parted.
"hor Tnhr rn11o1 thu roico6
tracks through the outskirts of the
city and saw the miles and miles Of
houses, the throngs, the traffic, his
heart sank within him. But he re-
pressed the feeling of dependency,
gritted his teeth and resolved that he
would succeed. He had read the story
of Wilmington. who went to London
a poor boy, became discouraged at the
sight of the great city in the distance
and resolved to go back to his home
But he heard the bells ringing, and
they seemed to say, Turn again,
Wilmington, lord mayor Of London"
He entered the city and became enor-
mously rich.
This story, familiar to many a school
gave him courage When he alighted
from the train he felt strong enough
to breast the tide that seemed rising
to oppose him.
The game of life is similar to a game
of cards. If we have good cards,
which Is the same as having good luck.
we win. A few there are with such
ontif16o thu tho%
win with poor cards; but, generally
speaking, poor cards mean the loss Of
the game. In other words. success
comes with opportunity
John Borlan found one bit of op-
portunity in the city or, what is the
same thing, bit Of luck. But this did
not come to him for several years aft
er he had entered the fray there. On
his arrival he spent month looking
for job and just as his money ran
out found one in running an elevator.
A gentleman whose business was in
the building took fancy to him and
gave him a subordinate position. But
this man failed, and John was thrown
out Again he walked the streets hunt
ing job
Johns hardships are not interesting,
and l will pass over them for his .op-
portunity. After drifting a long while.
sometimes earning few dollars a
week and sometimes hungry for food.
when In the latter condition he remem-
bered his promise to Mabel that if he
found the battle going against him he
would hack m tho nfru no
time Of his arrival he had put away
enough to pay his fare on the train.
but he had spent it for sustenance He
had no money to take him home. but
be resolved to keep his promise and
would set out the next morning to
tramp the distance.
To one person in the metropolis be
resolved to say goodby. That was the
man who had given him position
when he was running an elevator. On
his way to this friend he saw at his
feet on the sidewalk pocketbook. He
picked it up. 1t was rectangular in
form. about six inches long by three
wide, just large enough to hold a bank
bill not folded Opening it. he found
a number of such bills inside. He
closed the pocketbook without count
ing them and looked about to see if
any eye was upon him. Since no one
seemed to be observing him he thrust
his find into his pocket, for be desired
to have time to think over what he
should do in the premises. Finding a
place where he would be alone he
counted the money he had found.
There was 1884
Johnny was one of those men who
cannot bring themselves to appropri-
ate anything belonging to another. Be-
sides, he had the sense to discover that
anything so appropriated would do him
no good and might do him harm. He
certainly could not return to Mabel
without an effort to find the owner
OF this money for she would condemn
him If he did. He knew that the own