It is true that he did not earn five dollars in as many days,
for his practice, like that of almost every very young professional
man, was among the indigent.
But what of that? What if he were not running up heavy accounts
against wealthy patrons? He was "giving to the poor," not money, for
he himself was as poor as any of them; but his time, labor and
professional skill; he was "giving to the poor;" he was "lending to
the Lord," and he "liked the security." And the most successful
speculator that ever made a fortune on 'change never, never invested
time, labor or money to a surer advantage.
And this I would say for the encouragement of all young persons in
similar circumstances--do not be impatient if the "returns" are a
little while delayed, for they are so sure and so rich that they are
quite worth waiting for, nor will the waiting be long. Give your
services cheerfully, also, for "the Lord loveth a cheerful giver."
Traverse managed to keep out of debt; he regularly paid his office
rent and his laundress' bill; he daily purchased his mutton chop or
pound of beefsteak and broiled it himself; he made his coffee, swept
and dusted his office, put up his sofa-bed, blacked his boots; and
oh! miracle of independence, he mended his own gloves and sewed on
his own shirt buttons, for you may depend that the widow's son knew
how to do all these things; nor was there a bit of hardship in his
having so to wait upon himself, though if his mother and Clara, in
their well-provided and comfortable home at Willow Heights, had only
known how destitute the young man was of female aid and comfort, how
they would have cried!
"No one but himself to mend his poor dear gloves! Oh--oh-boo-hoo-
oo!"
Traverse never alluded to his straitened circumstances, but boasted
of the comfort of his quarters and the extent of his practice, and
declared that his income already exceeded his outlay, which was
perfectly true, since he was resolved to live within it, whatever it
might be.
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