"If you ever need a good bright boy, let me know, and I shall send you one with whom you will be satisfied."
In this way, he got many a boy placed in a good position. Often, too, he got jobs for their fathers. He was always so careful to recommend only the right sort, that a word from Father Boone was the best recommendation a man or boy could have in getting work.
Just as he finished his letter to Mr. Roberts, he heard a knock at his door, and a moment later, a bright little chap of about thirteen presented himself.
"Good evening, Vincent," said the priest. "What can I do for you?"
"Please, Father," began the lad, "my father is home from work three weeks now with rheumatism, and mother says would you give me a line to some place downtown to get a job?"
"Well, my little man, have you got your working papers?"
"Yes, Father, my mother went with me to the City Hall this morning and got them."
"It's too bad, Vinc., that a bright boy like you must give up school so soon. But I suppose your mother wouldn't do this unless she had to. I'll get you a place, and then we must see about your keeping up your studies at night school." He wrote a line or two, and addressing the envelope, gave it to the boy.
"Now, Vincent, I am sorry to do this, but you just make the best of it. I'm sending you to a very nice place with a good chance for advancement. The pay is not much, but you're only thirteen, and it's a fine start. Now that you are starting out, mark well what I say: Make yourself so useful that when there is a vacancy higher up, you will be the first boy they'll think about. And what you do, do pleasantly. Good-bye and God bless you. And," he added, as Vincent was going out the door, "let me know from time to time how you are doing."
The boy had gone but a few steps when, with a jerk, he wheeled round and returned. "O Father, excuse me," he faltered, "I forgot to thank you."