“But I don’t know any other.”

The merchant mused awhile, and then said:  “Perhaps I can aid you into getting into something better.  I am president of a newly-projected railroad, and we are about putting on the line a company of engineers, for the purpose of surveying and locating the route.  You studied surveying and engineering at the same time I did, and I suppose have still a correct knowledge of both; if so, I will use my influence to have you appointed surveyor.  The engineer is already chosen, and you shall have time to revive your early knowledge of these matters.  The salary is one hundred dollars a month.”

A shadow, still darker than that which had before rested there, fell upon the face of the mechanic.

“But,” he said, “I have not the slightest knowledge of surveying.  It is true I studied it, or rather pretended to study it, at school; but it made no permanent impression on my mind.  I saw no use in it then, and am now as ignorant of surveying as if I had never taken a lesson on the subject.”

“I am sorry, my old friend,” replied the merchant.  “But you are a good accountant, I suppose, and I might, perhaps, get you into a store.  What is your capacity in this respect?”

“I ought to have been a good accountant, for I studied mathematics long enough; but I took little interest in figures, and now, although I was for many months, while at school, pretending to study bookkeeping, I am utterly incapable of taking charge of a set of books.”

“Such being the case, Mr. Allen, I really do not know what I can do for you.  But stay; I am about sending an assorted cargo to Buenos Ayres, and thence to Callao, and want a man to go as supercargo, who can speak the Spanish language.  The captain will direct the sales.  I remember that we studied Spanish together.  Would you be willing to leave your family and go?  The wages will be one hundred dollars a month.”

“I have forgotten all my Spanish, sir.  I did not see the use of it while at school, and therefore it made no impression upon my mind.”

After thinking a moment, the merchant replied:—­

“I can think of but one thing that you can do, Mr. Allen, and that will not be much better than your present employment.  It is a service for which ordinary laborers are employed, that of chain carrying for the surveyor to the proposed railroad expedition.”

“What are the wages, sir?”

“Forty dollars a month.”

“And found?”

“Certainly.”

“I will accept it, sir, thankfully,” the man said.  “It will be much better than my present employment.”

“Then make yourself ready at once, for the company will start in a week.”

“I will be ready, sir,” the poor man replied, and then withdrew.

In a week the company of engineers started, and Mr. Allen with them as a chain carrier, when, had he, as a boy, taken the advice of his parents and friends, and stored his mind with useful knowledge, he might have filled the surveyor’s office at more than double the wages paid to him as chain carrier.  Indeed, we cannot tell how high a position of usefulness and profit he might have held, had he improved all the opportunities afforded him in youth.  But he perceived the use and value of learning when it was too late.