The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-01-30
v-continued.


-
the warehouse soOn brought him pro-
motion from truck hand to shipping
clerk. with an advance In wages to
sixty-fye dollars a month. He was
prepared to remain In this position for
ONE time, rs he knew that promotion
depends on many things besides abil.
lty. Mr.. Duncan had warned him
against the delusiOn that man Is en-
tireiy master Of his destiny.
But Dave was not to continue in
the grocery trade. A few evenings
ta,er he raj engaged In reading In
the public library. Mr.. Duncan had
directed him into the realm of fiction
and poetry. and he was now feeling
oils way through Hamlet" On the
evening In question an elderly man
engaged him In conversation.
"YOu are 4 Shakespearean student.
see?"
"Not exactly. l read a little in the
evenings"
II have seer you here different
times. Are you well acquainted with
the town."
"Pretty WE'LL" snid Dave. seeming
that there might be q purpose In the
questioning.
working nowr"
Dave told him where he was en-
plcyed.
Il am the editor Of the CALI" said
the elderly man. I'VE need another
man on the street: q reporter. you
know. We pay tweuty-fiv dollars a
week for such a position. II you are
interested you might call at the Office
tomorrow"
Dave hurried with his problem to
Nr. Duncan. II think I'd like the
work." he said. "but I am not sure
~hether ! can do II. NY writing is
rather-wOnderful."
Mr.. Duncan turned the matter over
IL his mind. ""Yes," he sad at length.
hut notice you r beginning to use
the typewriter. When you learn that
God gave you ten fingers. not two. you
may make q typist. And there Is
nothing more worth while than being
able to express yourself In English.
They'll teach you that on 4 newspaper.
I think I'd take It.
mot on Of the money" he
continued. after 4 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 rs a step
to something else. The training is
worth while. and It's the training you
want. Take It."
Dave explained his disadvantages to
che editor Of the Call. III didn't want
you to think" he said. with great
frankness. that because | was read
ing Shakespeare I was a master of
English. And I guess II l were to
write up stuff In Hamlet's language
I'd gel canned for It,"
WED probably have a deputation
from the Moral Reform league" said
the editor with a dry smile. . "Just the
same. II you know Shakespeare you
know English. and wen soon break
you into the newspaper style."
So almost before he knew II Dave
was on the stan OF tle Call. His beat
comprised the police court. fire depart
ment. hotels and general pick-ups.
Dave almost Immediately found the
need OF acquaintanceships. The iso-
iatiOn Of his bOyhOOd had bred In him
qualities OF aloofness which had now
70 be overcome. He was not naturally
! good "mixes; !" he preferred his own
company. but his own company would
not bring him much news. So he set
shout deliberately to cultivate ac-
Quaintance with the members or the
police force and the Ore brigade and
the clerks ID the hotels. And he had
q his character q quality Of sincerity
which gave him almost instant admis-
sion into their friendships. He had
nOt suspected the charm Of his own
personality, and Its discovery. feeding
upor his Z born enthusiasm for
friepdships, stlll further enriched the
sSehArtn.
i ~ acquaintance with The work
~ III police force Increased Dave
.soon4 III attitude toward moral prin-
rfpieS d need of frequent readjust-
nenk. ~ ~ means ! Puritan. ne had
aosoefteqep I'm sterling qualities
= NV 49, aay.-d him from ~
hssA