Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-28

BRIEF vrEws.-Bs SHORT.

!
very frequently visited by persons who tar
ried with him beyond reasonable time, and
incommcded him in The transaction OF his bu-
siness, was induced TO seek some means by
which be might be relieved from the difficult
~ under which he labored. He did not like
the idea of telling them abruptly that their
visits we're disagreeable and of disadvantage
to him, but was DESTROYS that they might re-
ceiye an intimsiion oft without direct
declaration from him. Accordingly he had
a small sign leltered with the short and en-
phatical sentence, BE Short, and placed in
situation where it must be read by every
one WHO entered his Office. The plan had
lis desired effect; and he was soon left 10
pursue bis business without being disturbed
by the frequent and lengthy visitswiih which
he had been annoyed, and very few called
upon him but those who had business with
! hin, or, ifsny did, theiryisits were not pro-
tracted beyond reasonable length of time.
1t may possibly be supposed by some, that
person who would thus act must be possess
ed of an unsOcial or unfriendly turn OF mind,
but these who have experienced The incon-
yeaence resulting from such course OF pro-
ceeding by pretended friends, may readily
excuse, and even appreciate his conduct
Some people are so misera5Iy thoughtles in
this particular. that we need net wonder if
frequent devices the kind were adopted in
order 10 remove an Inconvenience which
many experience on this account. have
known some instances of young h.en getting
in the habit Of visiting the shop of friend
whose busin, s. ii was to keep for sale arli-
cles which We're frequently if not mostly pur-
chased by ladies, and when customers came
In, have retained their seats, and gazed at
item TIL tie ladies' were stared out of coun-
tenance and were compelled 10 retire with
cot purchasing, and perhaps ever afterwards
dreaded to visit the shop. This was all
matter OF little concern TO tie .oltereTs, but
70 their friend il was a matter Of no trllng
consequence such practice is so obvious
ly injurious to the owner of the shop thai j
is 10 be wondered hat il is not generally
seen and avoided. But suppose the case is
less striking and there is no Inconvenience
arising from customers being kept away still
the attention beirg distracted and drawn
from business al time too, perhaps, when
there is considerable to DO, is considera-
Gon of very grea, weight, and We may there
lore very readily perceive the propriety of
the course pursued in the instance we have
noticed.
The motto is a good one, and worthy Of
the attention of every one. In whatever We
may be Engaged. ii may be well to be short. ,
Do we yisi, store or a shop where custom
ers may be expected, aad who may be de-
tered from enteriOg by our presence for
the sake of the owner lei Us remember TO
make our stay but short. Let it, indeed, be
no longer than is necessary for the transac-
ton of the business we have in hand. Dove
call TO see a friend whose business requires
a constant application OF mind, or DO we call
10 see any TREND, whatever his business may
he, and find him busy, let as be Short in
our visit, bearing in mind that our grati6ca.
ton should not be INDUCED al the expence
of another and especially one whom we vi
sit as friend.
Ia all our amasements, and not only in our
amusements, but in our labors, &c. we should
also be short, preachers should be short
and their sermons viii not fatigue their hear
ers: pleaders should be short and their ar
rumeLts will be the better remembered;
those who attempt TO amuse others by rela-
ting anecdotes, should he short, and their
stories will be the better relished; those who
write books should make them short, and
;bey will be the better dgested aud under
stood; those who take neopapers should re-
collect that short settlements make long
friends those who write essays should be
short, reeollecting that 'bFevity is the S, III
.f wi,.' AMI it is now time for me, perhaps,
20 remember ny oma MOTTO. be short or
nerbaps may be told that | am better at gi-
ling than taking advice"
TOM THIMBLE.