Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-12-09
GNurtestrr qailp Spp.
The Two Clerks-"Don't Waste Your Time


The admonition is applicable to all, but more
especially to young men and the incident we
are about to relate is one of so forcble a char
acter that we think it will be productive of
good,
Two young clerks in large American and
French house were particularly intimate, so
much so, that although they boarded in differ
ent houses yet they were constantly together
during the hours of recreation from business
One of them had been presented with little
French poodle, and he at once set about in
structing it to perform all those little tricks for
which the breed is famed.
For some days his companion witnessed his
persevering efforts to make 'GrottO' bring his
handkerchief, catch pennies, stand upon his
hind legs, and do many other triding but
amusing tricks. At length he got tired of
being lOOkerOn at SO much waste of time,
and whilst his friend was being the tutor of
Grotto, he himsefwOuld be pupil to a French
teacher, and endeavOr to master the French
language by the time GrottO's education was
completed.
Without saying a word to his friend, he
commenced his studies, and being dilligent,
fast acquired knowledge of the language ; he
also improved from hearing a good deal of
French spoken in the store, though he careful
ly avoided uttering a word At 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 little the senior
in the store of the other, aud of course, ranked
him in promotion. One morning he came out
OF the private room of the principal member
Of the firm and, looking very much downcast
approached his friend
"Tom, said he ''the firm wants to send one
of the clerks this summer to France to buy
goods, and they have offered the chance tome,
providing | could speak French; but as "Oui"
is about the extent of my French it's no go for
this child What fool l was for not studying
it when l was boy!"
"Well, said Tom, "whose chance is next 2"
why, yours, Of course. Ha, ha, ha! They
will put the question all around, out of polite
ness and as none Of us can pdr{eg U0HS-ha,
ha, ha!-why somebody will be engaged and
all of us headed OFF,
In the course of the morning, Tom was call
ed before the firm, and in glowing terms were
the advantages set forth, if he could speak the
language of the country they wished him to go
to. Tom listened with delight, and nwardly
chuckled at the surprise he would give them.
"Of course" said one of the firm "you
should have the situation if you could only
speak French but as you canuot, we shall
have to employ some one else. Very sorry
great pity, &c"
"Well, said Tom, ''it can't be helped, and
there is time, | suppose, to study now, so l
must just do the best | can Mr. Toutette,
shall you and | have a little chat and perhaps
may pass MUSTER"
Mr.. TOutette and Tom entered into an ami
mated 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 canddly told his partners
that Tom was fully competent for the place.
Tom was great favorite and the firm was
heartily glad that he was capable Of holding
the situation; and he was instructed to pre-
pare himself for departure by the next steam
er, with the privilege of peeping into the
Worlds Fair.
Tom now returned to his friend, who met
him with right good Ha ha hap "Well,
Tom, no use-l told you sol "Ah" replied
Tom, "you are out this time. My French
has been approved of, and am done here-I
sail in the next steamer p
You don't say so! But, Tom, when did
you learn French 2"
When you were teaching Grotto"
A new light flashed across the vision of
Grottos master. What" said he whilst
was fooling over that dog, you were study
ing 2"
just so and you know with what success
our time has been rewarded"
By the judicious disposal of time, one
young man is on the high road to mercantile
fame and fortune; whilst by throwing away
time, another, equal in abilities, is doomed to
drudgery and clerkship perhaps all his days.
PJougbman.