The Yale expositor., 1920-02-05
CHAPTER V-continued.

Dawes energy and enthusiasm in
the 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
some time, as he knew that promotion
depends on many things besides abil'
ity. Mr.. Duncan had warned him
against the delusion that man is en-
tirely 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.
1 see?"
mot exactly. l read a little in the
evenings"
81 have seen you here different
times. Are you well acquainted with
the town.
pretty we'll" said Dave, seeming
that there might be a purpose in the
questioning.
working now7"
Dave told him where he was en-
ployed.
81 am the editor of the Call" said
the elderly man. 1--WE need another
man on the street; a reporter, you
know. We pay twenty-five dollars a
week for such a position. II you are
Interested you might call at the office
tomorrow"
Dave hurried with his problem to
AR. Duncan. T think I'd like the
work" he said, "but l am not sure
whether l can do it. My writing is
rather-wonderful."
Mr.. Duncan turned the matter over
In his mind. Eyes" he said at length,
"but l notice you are beginning to use
the typewriter. When you learn that
God gave you ten fingers, not two, you
may make a typist. And there is
nothing more worth while than being
able to express yourself in English.
They'll teach you that on a newspaper.
I think I'd take 1t.
mot on account of the money" he
continued, after a little. "You would
probably soon be earning more in the
wholesale business. Newspaper men
are about the worst paid OF all pro-
fessions. But it's the best training in
the world, not for itself but as a step
TO something else. The training is
worth while, and it's the training you
want. Take It,"
Dave explained his disadvantages to
the editor of the Call. 81 didn't want
you to think" he said. with great
frankness. That because was read
Ing Shakespeare l was master of
English. And | guess IL | were TO
write up stuff In Hamets language
I'd get canned for IT,"
"We'd probably have deputation
from the Moral Reform league" said
the editor with dry smile. Just the
same, If you know Shakespeare you
know English, and well soon break
you into the newspaper style"
SO almost before he knew Il Dave
was on the staff Of the Call. His beat
comprised the police court. fire depart
ment, hotels and general pick-ups.
Dave alnost Immediately found the
need of acquaintanceships The iso-
lstion of his boyhood had bred in him
qualities OF aloofness which had now
10 be overcome. He was not naturally
good mixer" he preferred his own
company, but his own company would
not bring him much news. So he set
about deliberately to cultivate ac-
uuaintance with the members of the
police force and the fire brigade and
the clerks in the hotels. And he had
10 his character quality OF sincerity
which gave him almost instant admis-
sion into their friendships. He had
not suspected the charm of his own
personality, and rs discovery, feeding
upon his new born enthusiasm for
friendships. still further enriched the
charm.
As his acquaintance with the work
Of the police force increased Dave
found his attitude toward moral prin-
cipies in need of frequent readjust-
ment. BY no means Puritan. he had
nevertheless two sterling qualities
which so far bad ssved him from any