Barriers Burned Away

ry word of prayer, praise, and truth fell on a glad, grateful spirit. Returning, he wrote a long letter to his mother, telling her all he had pa

literally true), that I hope to outgrow them, and arrive at something better before many months pass. In the meantime I am indeed thankful for the means of winning honest bread for us all. It is quite a come-down from the classics and law to the position of porter and man of-a

ore. Impatiently he walked up and down before what would become the scene of joys

s a cool nod, and said, "Glad to see you so prom

t. Under his minute supervision everything had to be right on Saturday night as well as on Monday morning, on the 31st of December as well as on the 1st of January. He was one who through life would be satisfied with a subordinate position, conscious of the lack of enterprise needful to push his own way in the world. His painstaking, methodical spirit was just the kind to pervade a large warehouse like

ly useful. So far from being an easy position, it was one that required great strength and despatch, and these had been Pat's qualities save when drink got the better of him. For one of his age, Dennis was very strong, and his experience in helping his mother in household duties had made him quick and dexterous, where most young men would have been awkward and slow. After a day or two Mr.

Schwartz's rigid system each one filled his appropria

He soon discovered, however, that everything was arranged squarely, according to system, order, and not with a view of placing in the best lights and shadows the beautiful things to be sold. He saw that Mr. Ludo

wed a ramrod," snarled he. "Mr. Schwartz, can't you teach the young men to throw

assive face, and his employer felt that he m

statuettes on your counter in straight lines, and half of them with their backs toward the door

chwartz acknowledged that the groups looked doubly pretty and inviting. Dennis stood at a respectful distance, but was a close observer. He was the only one who gain

d up he caught Denni

, if you can, and when you are dusting around se

and expressed a little surprise at his getting into harness so quickly, but Mr. Schwartz's influence was not conducive to conversation or emotions, however faint. All went forward quietly and orderly, like well-oiled machinery. Customers received every at

radise. Nature had given him a deep, earnest lo

ircumstances had prevented him from following the bent of his taste. Now the passion awoke with tenfold force, and he had not been in his place a week before he began to make sketches of little things that pleased him. Some of the pictures and bronzes became almost dear because of the pleasure and inspiration that they occasioned, and at their sale his feeling was akin to regret. Early in

not only in the world of art, but in the world in general. There had been a day of rain, slush, and mud. One of the younger clerks had been sent out on an erra

. The young man saw it and said, in a loud, coarse tone that could be hear

s, he marched straight into Mr. Ludolph's office. That gentleman looked up, impatient at interrupt

is it?" asked

me to black them. Is this a part of my dut

h much irritation; "I thought there w

ake my orders from you, and not from Mr. Berder. If you say this is e

o ask of him such menial work. But his irritation and desire to crush out anything like insubordination prevailed. Still, rather than directly order it, he appea

s,

Murphy's place

r," said

," said Mr. Ludolph, coolly, turning to his writing;

ng Mr. Berder's success, and determining to do their part, also, in taking Dennis, "down a peg," as they expressed it, brought their boots, too, and Mr. Berder came with his again in the afternoon. Dennis cleaned and polished away in full view of Mr. Ludolph, who began to realize with vexation that his man-of-all-work would have little time for the duties of the store if he were installed general bootblack of the establishment. But, after this, cold and snow k