n; for which he will be well remunerated. Have no close family
ties, and willing to submit to certain amount of danger. Will be
isolated with few members of own race, but will have great
opportunity to develop mastery of huge machines. Come prepared to
leave for post immediately, without preparation. Every want will be
taken care of by employers. This position is for lifetime, without
opportunity of turning back after having accepted responsibility.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY! Room 36, 18 W. Morgan Ave., City._
* * * * *
For a long time Dick Barrow gazed at the ad, mentally comparing his own
qualifications for the position--and they _seemed_ to fit! He was not a
graduate engineer, being forced to quit school after two years of study.
Three years later his father died, then Dick lost the job that had kept
them eating regularly. His love of mechanics remained insatiable, and he
constantly hoped for work which would allow him to use his knowledge and
ability.
He had no relations, and the _only_ girl had forgotten him, when he left
school. He heard that she married a classmate!
Dick was twenty-seven. Five years had slipped by since he quit school,
and he couldn't remember where they had gone. It was only six months
after his father died that he lost his last regular job. He tried
selling and was a failure. He had been carpenter's helper, plumber's
helper, porter, counter-man and busboy as the months passed, but nothing
steady. For the past two months he had been hunting for work, while his
few dollars dwindled to where he no longer had room rent. Then it was
the park.
His feet were sore and blistered from holes in his shoes, and he limped
with every step. It took so long to reach the address that there was
little chance of finding the job still open. It was not the first time
he had missed--for the same reason.
* * * * *
He found that 18 Morgan Avenue was a dreary structure, appearing as if
it had been standing twenty years too long. The wooden stairs creaked as
he rested his weight on first one sore foot and then the other. Room 36
was at the top of the five-story building, and it seemed ages before he
reached the doorway. The only sign of furnishing in the room was a hard
bench, occupied by three men. Dick had to stand while his feet tortured
him, but it was hopeful to see men waiting--_the job wasn't filled_!
Suddenly a door
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