His plan was simple enough—dictated indeed by the necessities of the case. He must at once find a situation in which he could earn sufficient to support his mother and sisters and himself. Thence he could look around till he found the calling that promised most. Having left college and given up his chosen profession of the law, he had resolved to adopt any honest pursuit that seemed to lead most quickly to fortune.
Too impatient to eat his breakfast, he sallied forth into the great city, knowing not a soul in it. His only recommendations and credentials were his young, honest face, and a letter from his minister, saying that he was a member of the church in Bankville, “in good and regular standing,” and, “as far as he knew, a most worthy young man”—rather meagre capital amid the competitions of a large city. But, with courage bold and high, he strode off toward the business part of the town.
As he passed the depot it occurred to him that an opening might exist there. It would be a good post of observation, and perhaps he would be able to slip home oftener. So he stopped and asked the man in the ticket-office, blandly, “Do you wish to employ a young man in connection with this depot or road in any capacity?”
The ticket-man stared at him a moment through his window, frowned, and curtly said, “No!” and then went on counting what seemed to poor Dennis millions of money. The man had no right to say yes or no, since he was a mere official, occupying his own little niche, with no authority beyond. But an inveterate feud seemed to exist between this man and the public. He acted as if the world in general, instead of anyone in particular, had greatly wronged him. It might be a meek woman with a baby, or a bold, red-faced drover, a delicately-gloved or horny hand that reached him the change, but it was all the same. He knitted his brows, pursed up his mouth, and dealt with all in a quick, jerking way, as if he could not bear the sight of them, and wanted to be rid of them as soon as possible. Still these seem just the peculiarities that find favor with railroad corporations, and the man would probably vent his spite against the public throughout his natural life.
From him, however, Dennis received his first dash of cold water, which he minded but little, and went on his way with a good-natured laugh at the crusty old fellow.
He was soon in the business part of the city. Applying at a large dry-good store, he was told that they wanted a cash boy; “but he would not do; one a quarter his size would answer.”
“Then I will go where they want the other three-fourths and pay accordingly,” said Dennis, and stalked out.
He continued applying at every promising place, but to no purpose. It was midwinter; trade was dull; and with clerks idling about the shops employers were in no mood to add to their number.
At last he found a place where an assistant bookkeeper was wanted. Dennis’s heart leaped within him, but sank again as he remembered how little he knew of the art. “But I can learn quickly,” he thought to himself.
The man looked carelessly at his poor little letter, and then said, in a businesslike tone, “Show me a specimen of your handwriting.”
Poor Dennis had never written a good hand, but at college had learned to write a miserable scrawl, in rapidly taking notes of lectures. Moreover, he was excited, and could not do himself justice. Even from his sanguine heart hope ebbed away; but he took the pen and scratched a line or two, of which he himself was ashamed. The man looked at them with an expression of mild disgust, and then said, “Mr. Jones, hand me your ledger.”
The head bookkeeper passed the volume to his employer, who showed Dennis entries looking as from copperplate, and quietly remarked: “The young man we employ must write like that, and thoroughly understand bookkeeping. Good morning, sir.”
Dennis walked out, feeling almost as crestfallen as if he had been convicted of stealing, but the noonday sun was shining in the sky, the streets were full of life and bustle, and hope revived.
“I shall find the right niche before long,” he said to himself, and trudged on.
Some time after he entered a retail dry-goods store.
“Yes, they wanted a young man there, but he was rather old.”
Still the merchant saw that Dennis was fine-looking, would appear well behind the counter, and make a taking salesman with the ladies, he stopped to parley a moment more.
“Do you understand the business?”
“No, sir; but I can soon learn, for I am young and strong.”
“Strength is not what is needed, but experience. Ours is not the kind of work for Paddies.”
“Well, sir,” said Dennis, rather shortly, “I’m not a Paddy.”
The dapper little retailer frowned slightly at Dennis’s tone, and continued: “You spoke as if main strength was the principal thing. Have you had any experience at all?”
“No, sir.”
But seeing intelligence in the young man’s face, and scenting a sharp bargain, he said, “Why, then, you would have to begin at the very beginning, and learn the name of everything, its quality, etc.”
“Yes, sir; but I would do my very best.”
“Of course, of course, but nothing can take the place of experience. I expect, under the circumstances, you would look for very little remuneration the first year?”
“How much could you give?”
The man named a sum that would not have supported Dennis alone.
He replied that, though his services might not be worth more than that, he was so situated that he could not take a very small salary.
“Then bring something besides ignorance to the market,” said the man, turning on his heel.
Dennis was now hungry, tired, and disappointed. Indeed the calls of appetite became so clamorous that he
