18 The Acorn "James do you think that you could attend to the shipment of goods today ?" "Yes Sir," was the prompt answer. "Very well. We will get someone to do your work today, and we'll make you shipping clerk, protempore." When the shipping clerk returned he was given more close attention and it was found that he did not attend to the business the way he should; so one day an error was found in the shipment of goods. He was called to account for it. He spoke in angry tones to the manager and was soon discharged. The porter was raised to the vacant post, and his salary increased to five hundred dollars. He held the place of shipping clerk for two years. Then a higher position, was made vacant, in consequence of the indolent habits of a clerk, and he was again promoted. And so he continued to rise from one position to another, until, from chief and confidential clerk he became a member of the firm. He is now a man of large fortune, all of which he owes to a resolute character, by which he overcame early defects and bad habits, not the least of which was indolence. Pearl Smuin '08. Migration The leaves upon the trees to gold are turning, And nature's book is turned to Autumn's page. 'Tis not the verdant beauty of the springtime, But the silvery, whitening beauty of old age. The little birds in chirping groups are gathered, Soon to join a migratory band, For well they know at the end of their migration There waits for them a fairer, sunnier land. And so 'twill be with you and me, my brother, If we but live by God's immortal plan, And follow in the footsteps of the Saviour Who died to strike the chains of sin from man, And when the autumn of our iife approaches, We'll view with joy the nearing of the goal, And wait with eager hearts and longing The dearly earned migration of the soul. Pearl Smuin '08 The Acorn 19 Billie, the Dog It was one night in January, the snow was now six or seven inches deep, and still it grew deeper and deeper. A man walked briskly up the street, buttoning his overcoat closer about him as he hurried along. Turning the corner, he saw a small dog, sitting close by the path. Though in a hurry, he stooped, and patted the dog on the head. The animal looked after him wistfully, and, after sniffing the air for a moment, trotted up the path, after the one who had shown him a little sympathy. By the time the man turned in at his gate, the dog was close at his heels. On the porch, he paused to shake the snow from his hat and coat, then as he opened the door the dog slipped in and took refuge under the kitchen table. Near the stove, sat a little boy and his mother. As soon as the child saw the dog he crawled under the table and patted him on the head. In return, the dog put out his paw, and the little boy, very much pleased, shook it in a warm, friendly way. "Papa," said the little fellow, "please let him stay; he's such a nice doggie, and it is so cold outside." "But Teddy, he doesn't belong to us, and he's a valuable dog, so someone will be looking for him." Through the persuasion of the boy it was decided that the dog could stay till he was claimed. Each day the the boy and Billy played together and at night the dog slept behind the stove. A week passed in this way and no one had claimed him. Thus Billy found a home. A year later we find Billy a trusty Scotch-Coolie white, with brown on his back and head. His beautiful, deep brown eyes appeared to be almost human, and their intelligence seemed greater than that of some persons. Billy's master was still a mere child and he and the dog were constant companions. Whenever Teddy went, Billy went too, and between the two a strong tie of love had been formed. The following summer the boy became ill and had to stay in bed. Billy seemed sick too, because he couldn't see Teddy, and day after day he lay around and took no interest in anything or anybody, scarcely eating or drinking a thing. A few days passed and the boy asked for the dog and Billy went bounding into the room. After this, he stayed an hour or two