Year: 1873




ionable coat, an exceedingly high hat,
pantaloons with wide checks, and large
watch chain at the end of which dan
gled seal, walked into large hard
ware store in Boston and asked for en-
ployment Mr.. Peter Butler, one of
the proprietors, asked if he had ever
worked at the business. He had not
What had he been doing? Studying
law at Cambridge. Where did he be-
long? His friends lived in Maryland.
The firm was not in need of help, and
the services of the applicant were civilly
declined On the following day he ad-
dressed a note to Mr.. Butler, saying that
he feared he had not made himself full
ly understood, and would call again on
the morrow and explain further. At
the second interview he said that he had
graduated at Harvard University. and
commenced reading law j that be had
become acquainted with a young lady in
Cambridge whom he proposed to mar.
ry that his father had written to him
forbidding him to marry Northern
girl on penalty of utter disinheritance
and banishment from home. He intend
ed, however, to keep faith with his be-
trothed, and, as he must paddle his own
canoe in future, he was looking for en-
ployment.


Mr.. Butler engaged him at s40O a
year, and gave him certain duties to
perform. Next morning the young man


whose name we mig ght as well say was


John Peca, walked in from Cambridge,


with his dinner packed in tin pail,


and went stoutly to work. He kept


steadily at this for a year, doing all he


was told to do, and more beside; for his


comrades, of whom there were more than


sixty, finding him able and willing. set


him at all the menial tasks of the estab-


hshment, until the proprietors discover


ed and stopped the imposition. At the


close of the year Johns salary was In


creased SlOO, and he named an early


day for his wedding. When that day


came Mr.. Butler gave him new suit of


clothes Che presents everybody he takes


liking to with tip-top suit once in a


while) and a holiday. Mr.. and Mrs.


John Peca went to live with the brides


father and mother, and John continued


to walk in to his business, tin pail in


hand Among all the merchants and


tradesmen who rode IN from old Cam


bridge to the banks and counting-rooms


of Boston, there was not one whose heart
was lighter or happier than that of John


Peca-a clerk of $500 a year. He was
always on hand when the warehouse was
opened, and stuck by it until it was


closed


During the second year of his SER
vice he received letter from his sisters,
who were at school in Brooklyn, asking
, him to get leave to make them a short
visit. He did so, and returned to his
duties. Not long afterward another let
ter came. His father wanted him to
come home for few days and bring his
wife along with him. Mr.. Butler fur
nished the necessary funds for COM
= Portable trip to the old home and back
again. During their stay in Maryland
t the young people won the love of the old
folks if indeed they ever forfeited it; fol
e John had not long been back at the
9 store in Boston when his father desired
: him to take charge of one of his plan.
+ tations. He should have carriage and
e span. His employers hurried him away
a and bade him God speed. At the death
! of his father, John fell heir to an i'm
K msnse estate. Every year he writes t,
: Peter Butler, whom he justly thinks ont
! Of the best men in Boston, to come ou
!. and join him in fox hunt. ConcOrt
# Monitor.