Life in London | Page 8

men,
and it so happened that on this evening one of these discourses was to
be delivered. Nothing could have been more appropriate to a young
man just starting out in life than his address. The text was taken from
those solemn, striking words of the wise man, "My son, if sinners
entice thee, consent thou not."
He spoke of the powerful influences continually at work to allure
young travellers along life's journey into the snares and pitfalls of sin,
and pointed to God's armoury, and the refuge from all the wiles of the
adversary.
As the trio sat round the supper-table that evening, discussing the
events of the day, George said--
"I feel very glad that this Sunday has come before I go to Mr.

Compton's. I thought, when the text was given out this evening, that the
minister had prepared his sermon especially for me. I have no doubt all
he said was quite true; and so, being prepared, I shall be able to be on
my guard against the evils which he says are common to those who
make their first start in life."
When Mr. Brunton rose to leave that night, he took George aside; and,
laying his hand on his shoulder, said--
"George, I am glad you have got your appointment, my boy; but I am
sorry, for some reasons, that it is in Mr. Compton's office, for I have
made inquiries about the clerks there, and I regret to find that they are
not the set of young men I should have liked you to be with. Now, I
want you to make me a promise. If ever you are placed in critical
circumstances, or dangers, or difficulties (I say if, because I do not
know why you should, but if you are), be sure and come to me. Tell me,
as you always have done, honestly and openly, your difficulty, and you
will always find in me one willing to advise and assist you. Will you
promise?"
"With all my heart I will, uncle; and thank you, too, for this, and all
your interests on my account."
"Good-bye, then, George. Go on and prosper; and God bless you."
Punctually at nine o'clock on Monday morning, George was at the
office. Mr. Sanders, the manager (the old gentleman whom George had
seen on his first visit), introduced him to the clerks by saying--
"This is Mr. George Weston, our new junior;" and George, with his
face all aglow, made a general bow in return to the salutations which
were given him.
"This is to be your seat," said Mr. Sanders; "and that peg is for your hat.
And now, as you would, no doubt, like to begin at once, here is a
document I want copied."
George was glad to have something to do; he felt all eyes were upon

him, and the whispered voices of the clerks rather grated upon his ears.
He took up his pen, and began to write; but he found his hand shaky,
and he was so confused that, after he had written half a page, and found
he had made two or three blunders, he was obliged to take a fresh sheet,
and begin again.
"Take your time," said Mr. Sanders, who noticed his dilemma; "you
will get on right enough by-and-bye, when you are more accustomed to
the place and the work."
George felt relieved by this; and making up his mind to try and forget
all around him, he set to work busily again, and in an hour or two had
finished the job.
"I have done this, sir," he said, taking it to Mr. Sanders. "What shall I
do next?"
"We will just examine it, and then you may take it into Mr. Compton's
room. After that you can go and get your dinner, and be back again in
an hour."
The document was examined, and, to the surprise of George and Mr.
Sanders, not one mistake was found. "Come, this is beginning well,"
said the manager; "we shall soon make a clerk of you, I see."
When George went into Mr. Compton's room, and presented the papers,
he was again rewarded with an encouraging commendation. "This is
very well written--very well written indeed, and shows great
painstaking," he said.
George felt he could have shaken hands with both principal and
manager for those few words. "How cheap a kind word is," he thought,
"to those who give it; but it is more precious than gold to the receiver. I
like these two men; and, if I can manage it, they shall like me too."
George had not as yet exchanged a word with any of the clerks; but as
he was leaving the office to go to dinner, one of them was going out at
the