And I told him the truth; kindness had won.
He said, "Dave, why are you leading such a life? Don't you know you were
cut out for a far better one?" I was no fool; I knew all about that. I
had learned it in Sunday-school, and how often mother had told me the
same thing. I knew I was put into the world to get the best, and glorify
God; and I was getting the worst, and it was all my own fault. Here I
was. I felt that no one wanted anything to do with me, no one would
trust me, because I was a jail-bird. But I have found out since there
are people that are willing to help a man if they see he is on the
level.
"Why," I said, "a man that has no backing has no show in 'little old New
York.' You even have to have a pull to get a job shoveling snow, and
then you have to buy your own shovel! What does any one care? The
politicians have all they want and are only looking for more graft. They
need you just twice a year to register and vote. I know I'm crooked, and
it's my own fault, I admit, but who's going to give me a chance? Oh, for
a chance!"
The young fellow listened, then said, "Dave, there's One that will
help."
I did not catch on to his meaning, but said I was glad and thanked him
for what he had done.
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