title: Given a string in Java, just take the first X letters
body: <p>Is there something like a C# Substring for Java? I'm creating a mobile application for Blackberry device and due to screen constraints I can only afford to show 13 letters plus three dots for an ellipsis. </p>
  
  <p>Any suggestion on how to accomplish this?</p>
  
  <p>I need bare bones Java and not some fancy trick because I doubt a mobile device has access to a complete framework. At least in my experience working with Java ME a year ago.</p>