The Kanzas news., 1858-10-23
The Reward of Courtesy.

d lew ears Slnco Oh a Ts1uIdue spiiuS al
ternoon, TWO men, who, from their CONVEX
sation, appeared to be foreigners, stopped
before the gate of one of the large work
shops in Philadelphia for the manufacture
of locomotive engines. Entering small
office, the elder of the two men inquired of
the superintendent if he would permit them
to inspect the works.
You can pass in, and look about said
the superintendent. vexed apparently, at
being disturbed in the perusal of his news
paper. He then scanned the two strangers
more closely They were respectfully but
plainly clad, and evidently made no profes-
sion to official dignity of any kind.
you must pick your own way, gentle
men," replied the superindent, ''we are all
too busy to attend to everybody that comes
along I'll thank you not to interrupt the
workmen by asking questions" 1t was
not so much the matter as the manner of
this reply. that was offensive to Mr.. Wolf
and his companion. 1t was spoken with 8
certain official assumption of superiority
mingled with contempt for his visitors, in
dicatiug naughty and selfish temper, on
the part of the speaker.
81 think we viii not trouble you," said
Mr. Wolf, bowling, and taking his compan-
ions arm they passed out.
eff there is anything l heartily dislike,
it is incivility,' said Mr.. Wolf, when they
were in the street. Il do not blame the
man for not wishing TO show US over the es-
tablishment; he is no doubt interrupted by
many needless visitors. but he might have
dismissed US away better content with a
gracious refusal than with an ungracious
consent"
Perhaps said the other, we shall have
better luck here,' and they stopped before
another workshop of similar kind. They
were received by brisk little man, the head
clerk, apparently, who, in reply to their re-
quest to be shown over the establishment,
answered, 80, yes! come with me gentle
them along the area strewed with iron bars
> broken and rusty wheels of iron, fragments
of old boilers and cylinders, into the princi-
pal 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. They
paused where the workmen were riveting
external castings of boiler, the clerk look
ed at his watch, tapped with his foot against
an iron tube, and showed other signs of
impatience; whereupon Mr.. Wolf remarked,
'we shall not detain you longer, sir," and
with this he took his leave.
''That man is an improvement on the
other" said Mr.. Wolf. "all the civility he
has is on the surface; it does not come from
the heart We must look further The
strangers walked on nearly half mile in
silence, when one of them pointed TO an
humble sign, with picture of locomotive
engine with train of cars underneath. 1t
overtopped small building not more than
ten feet in height, communicating with a
yard and workshop. Look" said the OBJ
server, "here is a machinist whose name is
not on our list probably it was thought
too small concern for our purpose" said
his companion. Nevertheless, let us try
it, said Mr. Wolf They entered, and
found at the desk middle-aged man, whose
somewhat grim aspect and apron around his
waist, showed that he divided his labors
between his workhsop and the counting
room.'
I'VE want to look over your works, if
you have no objections"
s'It will give me much pleasure to show
you all that is to be SEEM said the mechan
ic with pleased alacrity, ringing bell,
and telling The boy who entered to take
charge of the office. He then led the way,
and explained to the strangers the whole
process of erecting locomotive engine
He showed them how various parts of the
machinery were manufactured, and patiently
answered all their questions. He told
them the mode of turning the boilers, by
which the power of generating steam was
increased, and showed with what care he
provided for security from bursting Two
hours passed rapidly away. The strangers
were delighted with the intelligence display
ed by the mechanic, and with his frank,
unsuspicious manners. Here is a man who
loves his profession so well that he takes
pleasure in explaining its mysteries to all
who can understand them," thought Mr.
Wolf
''I am afraid we have given you great
deal of trou le,' said the other stranger.
Indeed. gentlemen, have enjoyed your
VISIT" said the mechanic, "and shall be
glad to see you again. :,
perhaps YOU may said Mr.. Wolf, and
the TWO strangers departed. Five months
elapsed after. as the mechanic whose means
were limited, sat in bis Office meditating
how hard it was to get business by such
large establishments as were his competl-
tors, the two strangers entered he gave
them hearty welcome, handed chairs, and
all sat down.
1--WE come," said Mr.. Wolf, with a
proposition to you from the Emperor of
! Russia to visit St. Petersburg"
..From the Emperor? Impossible -
s.Here are our CREDENTIALS
.sBut gentlemen" said the now agitated
mechanic, a'what does this mean? How
| have earned such an bonor?''
Simply by your straightforward cour-
| tesy and frankness, combined with profes-
sional intelligence" said Mr.. Wolf ..Be-
cause We are strangers you did not think
it necessary 10 treat US with distrust or
coldness. You saw we were really interest
ed in acquainting ourselves with your work