A BITTER PILL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1908, Page 37

A BITTER PILL

A crowd is tempting to a boy. There is a certain jolly fellowship which attracts. George Martin had no intention of lying to his mother, when she asked him at night after tea where he was going. She always asked, for she felt deeply the responsibility of his training now that his father was dead and it devolved upon her alone. ' m ~ Usually his answer was,^' I'll drop in at the Hbirary, I think, iribther, and read there awhile,' and Mrs. Martin felt more relieved that her son's tastes led him into safe society. The library building stood at the foot of a steep hill, and to save his conscience, George always did go yin first. But his '.awhile ' became shorter and shorter, until it was not more than five minutes spent on the headlines of a newspaper. Then, with that eagerness for outdoor companship; and that carelessness of risks which belong to a boy of • nature, he would join the company of loafers. If at first he was^ somewhat ishocked at the jokes', there was often an undeniable /humor in them, or the simple incongruities appealed f to the sense of the ludicrous, and he learned to laugh °at speeches which would once have seemed sacrilegious. Soon in a small way he began to make jokes himself which met applause. It was being so manly, so up-to-date, so like ' other fellows. 5 • I heard this afternoon that Mr.- Mundy wajited another clerk,' Mrs. Martin remarked as they sat at^tea one night, ' and 1 believe you'd better apply. It might be a good place for you — your father always said Mr. Mundy was an honorable mstn.' - • All right, mother ; I'll see him in the morning.' George was really -pleased with the notion of getting, this position. ' Why not to-night ? ' 1 Oh,' he replied, ' the morning's the best time to tackle a business man. He's fresh then— he'd be tired ,and cross at night.' Again George salved his_ conscience with this reason, "though he .knew he hankered for another evening with the boys. •If I get the place, I s'pose I'll have to" stay in the store evenings,' he thought, regretfully The next morning, neatly dressed and looking his best, George applied at Mr. v Mundy's store. ' Hewas shown into a small private room at the back where the proprietor had. his desk. ' Too late,' Mr. Mundy said somewhat curtly. ■' I engaged a clerk last evening.' ' Last evening ! George's mind rapidly went oyer what he was doing then. Mr. Mundy watched the boy's face, and his own becaire less severe. 1 Stop a moment, George,'- he resumed. ' I want to say a few words. I knew and respected your father. I know and respect your mother. I don't want their son to make a mess of life. So

let me tell you franlcTy, it would make no difference if I had not engaged some one else. I take no boy or man into my employ who belongs to the street corner brigade. I, want self-respecting people— not loafers — to work for me. Other .business men feel the same. If you're wise you'll remember it. Good morning.' Crestfallen, George bowed himself out, though even • at that moment he was glad he could truthfully tell his mother that the place was already filled. , She need not know the other shameful reason. • 1 Faithful are the wounds of a friend.' Mr. Mundy's words had cut as he meant they should. 'George did some serious thinking. He had will-power, once it was aroused, ' Loafer.' The term stung. George Martin a loafer ? Not if George Martin could help it. 1 I'll not be seen in that vicinity again at present,' he said. ' I'll go a mile around, rather than up and down that walk. I'll read and study ' at home. Mother'll like that. I'll take up bookkeeping, and be ready for a higher position.' It showed the boy's good stuff that he kept to - these resolutions, though he had to set his teeth to do "it. Six months from that time a message from Mr. Mundy surprised him. He went once more into, the little office, and the prompt business man broached the subject at once. 1 James Barton has fallen sick, and isn't likely to get well in a hurry. The position is yours, if you wish to take it. I'.ve watched you all these months. I've seen that the bitter pill did you good. A young man who can break off evil associations 1 short and sharp, as you did, is the one for me.' George lifted a frank face — no shame in it now. 'I've wanted to thank you, sir,' he said.' 'lt's been the making of me. And now you offer me the place.' His features worked with emotion, but, of course, a boy never cries, and. he soon brought , them intto 1 a smile. ■" I'll be glad to come.' A year later George Martin was Mr. Mundy's bookkeeper ; while the shiftless members of the street corner brigade wondered why he had such good- luck and they didn't. Luck, indeed !— Exchange.