Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-04-30
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-fve 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.
r. 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 Shakespearean student.
see?"
Not exactly. l read little in the
evenings"
Il have seen you here different
times. Are you well acquainted with
the town.?
Pretty WELL" said Dave, seeming
that there might be a purpose in the
questioning.
Working now?"
Dave told him where he was en-
poyed.
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 position. II you are
interested you might call at the office
tomorrow"
Dave hurried with his problem to
Mr.. Duncan. II think I'd like the
work." he said, ''but / am not sure
whether l can do it. My writing is
rather-wOnderful,"
Mr.. Duncan turned the matter over
In his mind. "Yes," he said at length,
but notice you are beginning to use
the typewriter. When you learn that
God gave you ten fingers. not two, you
may make typist. And there is
nothing more worth while than being
able to express yourself in English.
they'll teach You that on newspaper.
!. think I'd take 1t.
~ Not on account of the money" no
continued. after little. you would
PROBABLY soon be earning more in the
wholesale business. Newspaper men
are about the worst paid of all pro-
lessions. But it's the best training in
me world, not for itself but as a step
10 something else. The training is
worth While, and it's the training Won
want. Take it."
Dave explained his disadvantages to
'he editor of the Call. II didn't want
YOU 10 Think" he said, with great
,iahhhess, that because l was read
ns Shakespeare l was a master of
English. And l guess II l were to
wr''e up stuff in Hamlet's language
ia get canned for tn
wed probably have deputation
from the Moral Reform, league" said
.he editor with a dry smile. Just the
sumo II you know Shakespeare you
Ano" English, and Wen soon break
you INTO the newspaper STYLE"
90 almost before he knew II Dave
was on the STAFF of the Call. His beat
comprised the police court, fire DEPART
'"eh'' hotels and general plck-ups.
Dave almost Immediately found the
neeu OF acquaintanceships. The iso-
'a''on Of his boyhood had bred In him
V"a'ities OF aloofness which had now
W De overcome. He was not naturally |
good mixer he preferred his own |
company. but his own company would |
"o' bring him much news. SO he set |
"oou' deliberately to cultivate ac-
quhlntance with the members Of the
ponce force and the fire brigade and
'he clerks In the hotels. And he had
III ms character quality of sincerity
"h'ch gave him almost instant. admis. i
S'oh into their friendships. He hao !,
NOT suspected the charm Of his own
personality, and Its discovery, feeding
upon his new born enthusiasm for
friendships, still further enriched the
charm.
AS MS acquaintance with the work
VI me police force increased Dave
'ouhd his attitude toward moral prin-
''e'es In need Of frequent readjust-
'"eht. by no means Puritan, he had
,oitheiess two st ,rling Qualit es
"n'ch SO far had saved him from nuy