udying geography, I noticed that there are
quite a number of towns in the United States by the name of Athens, and
I was very desirous to visit the Athens, Ohio, and see if there was any
Acropolis or monuments to compare with the Athens, Greece. The train
arrived at Athens, Ohio, R. R. station just on time, not to miss my
dinner at a nearby restaurant, where I inquired if there were any Greek
people in the town. A very gentle young lady, waiting on the table gave
me instructions to find a candy store kept by a Greek, where she took
her ice cream. I found the place and the Greek who was a real good
natured middle-aged man and his family living on the floor above the
store. He received me kindly and after a short conversation he said he
thought I could make a suitable help for him and he offered me the job
without asking any questions as to my identification. I had no thought
of staying at that place and declined the offer. By the same Greek I was
glad to learn that Athens, Ohio, though there is no Acropolis and no
Socrates there; yet, she is a nice little college town and the Greek was
doing a rushing business with the students. The next train was for St.
Louis, Missouri, and I was very anxious to see the Mississippi river, so
I went on that train. The great bridge on the Mississippi river and the
Union station at St. Louis are two buildings that could make honor to
any city in the world. I left my luggage at the parcel-room and started
out to find a hotel, where I could have the best accommodations for the
smallest amount of money. When I located myself the best that I could,
the next thing I thought to look around for a job, as I liked to stay in
St. Louis till the opening of the World's Fair in the year 1904. I
bought a newspaper: I could then read some English, but speak very
little yet. The advertisement which attracted my attention was a short
one "Wanted young man willing to work, apply, at given number and
street." It was Saturday yet I was anxious and willing to work, so, I
went to answer the ad. By asking in every corner some man in uniform,
not knowing at the time if they were policemen or conductors in the
electric cars, I find the street and presently I saw the number above
the door of a great big livery stable. I looked over the newspaper, and
the number was correct. I was not prepared for the surprise and for a
moment I hesitated to enter. The thoughts came to me by bunches: for the
first time in my life I w