The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1920-01-23
CHAPTER V-Continued.

Dawes energy and enthusiasm In
lhe warehouse soon brought him pro-
motion from truck hand to shipping
clerk, with an advance in wages to
Sixty-five dollars a month. He was
prepared TO remain In this position for
depends on many things besides abil.
Ity. Mr.. Duncan had warned him
against the delusion that man Is en-
slrely master Of his destiny.
But Dave was not to continue In
the grocery trade. A few evenings
later he was engaged in reading in
the public library. Mr.. Duncan had
directed him into the realm Of fiction
and poetry, and he was now feeling
his way through Hamlet" On the
evening In question an elderly man
engaged him In conversation.
You are a Shakespearean student.
seer"
mot exactly. / read a little in the
evenings"
II have seen you here different
times. Are you well acquainted with
che town."
Pretty WELL" said Dave, seeming
that there might be a purpose In the
questioning.
Working now?"
Dave told him where he was en-
pioyed.
II am the editor Of the Call" said
the elderly man. "We need another
man on the street; a reporter, you
know. We pay twenty-five dollars a
week for such a position. IL you are
interested you might call at the office
tomorrow"
Dave hurried with his problem to
Mr. Duncan. 81 think I'd like the
work." he said, but | am not sure
whether l can do 1t. My writing is
rather-wonderful."
Mr.. Duncan turned the matter Over
In his mind. YES" he said at length,
"but i notice you are beginning to use
the typewriter. When you learn that
God gave you ten fingers, not two. you
may make a typlst. And there Is
nothing more worth while than being
able to express yourself In English.
They'll teach you that on a newspaper.
1 think I'd take 1t.
mot on account Of the money" he
continued, after a little. "You would
probably Don be earning more in the
wholesale business. Newspaper men
are about the worst paid Of all pro.
fessi0ns. But It's the best training in
the world. mo- for itself but as a step
10 something else. The training Is
worth while, and It's the training you
want. Take It."
Dave explained his disadvantages tC
che editor Of the Call. II didn't want
you to think" he said, with grea,
frankness. that because I was read
ing Shakespeare l was a master Of
English. And l guess IL / were tt
write up stuff In Hamlet's Language
I'D get canned for It,"
We probably have a deputatior
from the Moral Reform league" sale
the editor with a dry smile. "Just tn,
same. IL you know Shakespeare 70,
know English. and Wen soon breal
Jou into the newspaper style"
So almost before he knew 1t Dav,
was on the staff Of the Call. His bea
comprised the police court, fire depart
ment, hotels and general pick-ups.
Dave almest Immediately found tn
need Of acQuaintanceships. The iso
lation of his boyhood had bred In hir
qualities Of aloofness which had no,
10 be overcome. He was not NATURAL
good mixer" he preferred his ow
company. but his own company woul
not bring him much news. So he Sc
about deliberately to cultivate a,
Qu%aintance with the members Of tn
police force and the fire brigade an
the clerks In the hotels. And he ha
IN his character a quality Of sincerit
which gave him almost instant admit
sion into their friendships. He ha
not suspected the charm Of his ow
personality. and Its discovery. feedin
upon his new born enthusiasm II
friendships, still further enriched tn
charm.
AS his acquaintance with the wor
a the police force increased DAY
found his attitude toward moral pril
ciples In need or frequent readjus
ment. BY no means q Puritan. he hs
severtheless two sterling Qualiti,
~hjch 80 far had saved him from u