Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-10-14
The Reward Of Courtesy.
A TRUE ACCOUNT.

ternoon, two men, who appeared to be for
eigners, stopped before the gate of one of
our large work shops in Philadelphia, for
the manufacture of locomotive engines
Entering small Office. the elder of the
two men inquired of tho superintendent in
attendance if be would permit them to in
spect the works.
You can pass in and look about, if yeu
pleas said the superintendent. vexed ap-
pere ntly,at being interrupted in the persual
of his newspaper. He then scanned the
two strangers more closely. They were
respectfully but plainly clad, and evidently
made no pretensions to official dignity Of
any kind.
is there any one who can show us over
the establishment and explain matters to
us? asked Mr.. Wolfe, the eldest of the
strangers.
You must pick your own way, gentle
men, replied the superintendent, we are
all too busy to attend to every party that
comes along. I'll thank you not to inter
rupt the workmen by asking questions
1t was not so much the matter as the
manner of his reply. that was offensive to
Mr.. Wolfe and his compaion. 1t was spok-
en- with certain official assumption of su
periority. mingled with contempt for the
visitors, indicating naughty selfish tenn
per on the part of the speaker.
L think we will not trouble you,' said
Mr.. Wolfe, bowling; and taking his com
panion's arm they walked out.
If there is anything l dislike, it is in
civility,' said Mr.. Wolfe, when they were
in the street L do not blame the man for
not wishing to show us over his establish
ment, he is no doubt annoyed and inter-
rupteG by many needless visitors, but he
might have dismissed US with courtesy
He might have sent us away better content
with a gracious refusal than with an un-
gracious consent
Perhaps we shall have better luck here,
said the other stranger; and they stopped
before another workshop of a similar kind.
They were received by brisk little man,
the head clerk apparently, who in reply to
their request to be shown over the es:ab-
lishment, answered 'Ch, yesl come with
me, gentlemen. This way So saying
he hurried the area strewed with iron
bars, broken and rusty heaps of iron, and
fragments of old cylinders. into the prin-
cipal workshop.
Here, without stopping to explain any
one thing, he led the strangers along with
the evident intention of getting rid of them
as soon as possible. When they paused
where workmen were rive:ing the exter-
nal casting ofa boiler, the clerk looked at
his watch. tapped his foot against an iron
tube: and showed other signs of impa-
tience. Whereupon Mr.. Wolfe remarked
we will not detain you longer SIR and
with his friend took leave.
This man is an improvement on the
ether,' said Mr.. Wolfe: but all the ci, ility
he has is on the surface; it does not come
from the heart. We must look further.
The strangers walked on for nearly a
half a mile in silence, when one of them
pointed to picture Of locomotive engine
with train of cars underneath 1t over
topped small building, not more than ten
feet in hight, communicating with yard
and a workshop. Look, said the observ-
er, here is machinest whose name is not
on our list. Probably it was thought too
small a concern for our purpose. said his
companion. Nevertheless let us try it,
said Wolfe
They entered and found at the desk a
middle aged man, whose somewhat grim
my aspect and apron around his waist.
showed that he divided his labors between
his workshop and counting room.
we want to look over your works, if you
have no objection
| III VIII give me great pleasure TO snow
you all that is to be seen, said the mechan-
ic. with pleased alacri;y, ringing bell
and telling the boy who entered to take
charge of the office.
lie then led the way, and explained to
the strangers the whole process of con-
structing locomotive engine. He show
ed them how the various parts Of the me-
chinery were manufactured, and patiently
anwered all their questions. He told tham
of an improved way of tubing boilers. by
which the power of generating steam was
increased, and showing with what care he
nrovided for security fror, bursting.
Two hours passed rapidly away. The
strangers were delighted with the intelli-
L. IN m, oh ami. and With