Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-02-05
Dom, Waste Yeur Time.

} This caption is applicable TO all
} bat more especially to young men
and the incident we are about to re
late is one Of SO favorable charac
ter, that we think il will be produc
tive of good.
Two young clerks in large Amer
ican and French house in Pearl street
New York, were very intimate, 81
much so, that although they boarded
in different houses, yet they were
constantly together during the hourl
of recreation from business.
One of them had been presented
with little French poodle, and HI
at once set about instructing il tC
perform all those little tricks fol
which the breed is famed.
For some days bis companion wit.
messed his persevering efforts TO make
"Grotto" bring his handkerchief
catch pennies, stand upon his hind
legs, and do many other trifiing but
amusing tricks. At length he gor
tired Of being locker on at so much
waste Of time, and resolved thai
whilst bis friend was being the tutor
of Grotto, he himself would be a
pupil TO a French teacher, and en-.
deavor TO master the French Ian
guage By the time Grotto's education
was completed.
Without saying a word TO his
friend, he commenced his studies,
and being diligent, first acquired a
knowledge Of the language; he also
improved from hearing good deal
OF French spoken in The store, though
he avoided uttering a word. Al
length Grotto was finished, and had
very truly acquired a knowledge OF
an infinite number OF amusing games
and his owner prided himself no
little on his requirements.
The owner of Grotto was a little
the senior, in the store, Of the other,
and Of course ranked over him in
promotions. One morning he came
out Of the private room oil the prin-
cipal member oi the firm, and looking
very much down cast, approached
his friend.
"Tom," said he, ."the firm want to
send one OF the clerks this summer
to France, 10 buy goods, and they
have offered the chance TO me, pro-
vided | could speak French; but as
'Oui' is about the extent of my
French, it's no go. FOR this child
What a fool ] was in not dying it
when was a boyl"
"Well," said Tom, "whose chance
is nextl''
"Why, yours, Of course. They
will put the question all around, out
Of politeness; and as none of US can
pdrley Uous-why, somebody will be
engaged, and all Of US headed off,"
In the course Of the morning, Tom
was called before the firm, and, in
glowing terms, were the advantages
set forth. il he could only have
spoken the language Of the country
they wished him to go to. Tom
listened with delight, and inwardly
smiled at the surprise he would give
them.
"Of course" said one OF the firm,
"you should have the situation, il you
could only speak French; but, as
you cannot, we shall have to employ
some one else. Very sorry-great
pity, &C."
"WelI," said Tom, ait can't be
helped, and there is no time. suppose
to study now, so | must Just do the
best can. Mr.. Toutette, shall YOU
and | have little chat and perhaps ]
may pass muster" .ar--
Mr.. Toutette and Tom entered into
an animated conversation, very much
TO the surprise Of all present, which
having been kept up, in double quick
time, for some fifteen minutes, Mr..
Toutette very candidly told his part
ners that Tom was fully competent
for the place.
Ton was a great favori,e, and the
firm were heartily glad that he was
capable of holding the situation;
and he was instructed to prepare
himself for departure by the next
steamer, with the privilege of peep
ing into the Worlds Fair.
Tom now returned 10 his friend,
who met him with right good ha,
ha, ha!
"Ah," replied Tom, "you are out
this time. My French has been ap-
proved of, and am done here--and
sail in the next steamer"
"You don't say so! but Tom, when
did you learn French7'
"When you were teaching Grot-
to-"
A new light flashed across the
vision Of Grotto's master. ~
"Whatr' said he, "whilst | was
fooling over that dog. were you
studying" sa
"Just so; and you know with what
success our time has been rewar-
ded."
BY the iudicious disposal Of time.