Now, what references have
you?"
The dreadful question at last! John's face fell. He pad begun to feel some
hope of success, but this dashed it again.
"I haven't any," he said, slowly. "I am almost a stranger in the city."
"Cannot take a boy without references," was the brusque rejoinder.
As he spoke, a sudden thought sent a flush to John's cheek. "I haven't any
reference," he said, with hesitation; "but here is a letter from mother I
just received. I wish you would read it."
The lawyer took it. It was a short letter:--
"MY DEAR JOHN: I want to remind you that wherever you find work, you must
consider that work your own. Do not go into it, as some boys do, with the
feeling that you will do as little as you can and get something better
soon, but make up your mind that you will do as much as possible, and make
yourself so necessary to your employer that he will never let you go. You
have been a good son to me, and I can truly say that I have never known you
to shirk. Be as good in business, and I am sure God will bless your
efforts."
"H'm!" said the lawyer, reading it over the second time.
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