The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-10-20
THE REWARD OF COURTESY-A
TRUE ACCOUNT.

a few years since, on radiant after
noon, two men, who from their couver-
sation appeared to beforeigners, stopped
before the gate of one of our large work
shops in Philadelphia, for the manufac
ture of locomotive eugines. Entering a
small Office, the elder of the two men III
quired of the superintendent in atteG-
dance if he would permit them to 10
spect the works.
"Y ou can pass in and iook about, If
you pleases;" said the superintendent,
vexed, apparently, at being Interrupted
in the perusal ef his newspapers. He
then scanned the two strangers more
closely. They were respectfully but
plainly clad. and evidently made no pre-
tension to official dignity of any kind.
is there any enc who can show us
over the tabiishment and explain mat
tiers TO us?2 asked Nj Wolfe, the eldei
of the two strangers.
'You must pick your own way gentle
meu,' replied the superintendent, .swc
are all too busy to attend to every party
that comes along. I'll thank you not
to interrupt the workmcn ~ asking ques
tions."
It was not so much the matter as the
manner of his reply, that was offensive
to Mr.. Welfe and his companion. It
was spoken with a certain official assump-
tion of superiority, mingled with con-
tempt for the visitors indicating baugh-
ty aud selfish temper on the part of the
speaker.
II think We will not trouble you,n
said Mr.. Wolfe bowing; and taking his
companions arm they passed out
''If there is anything / dislike, it is
incivility," said Mr. Wolfe, when they
were in the street. 81 do not blame
the man for not wishing to show US over
his establishments; he is no doubt annoy
ed and interrupted by many needless Wis
itors; but he might have dismissed us
with courtesy He might have sent US
away better conteBted with a gracious
refusal than with an ungracious 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 a
brisk little man, the head clerk, apparent
ly, who in reply to their request to be
shown over the establishment, answered,
80, yes! come with me, gentlemen.-
This way" So saying, he hurried them
along the area strewed with iron bars,
broken aud rusty heels of iron, frag-
ments of old 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. When
they paused where workmen were riyet
ing the external casting of boiler, the
clerk looked at his watch, tapped his
right foot against an iron tube, and
showed other signs of impatience--
Whereupon, Mr.. Wolfe remarked: I'VE
will not detain you longer. SIR aud
with his friend took leave.
''This man is an improvement on the
other" said Mr.. Wolfe, "but all the
civility be has is on the surface; it does
not come from the hart. We must look
further"
Tho strangers walked on for nearly
half a mile in silence, when one of them
pointed to picture ofa locomotive en-.
CINE with a train of cars underneath
1t overtopped small building, not more
than ten feet in height. communicating
with yard and a workshop. ''Look,"
said the observer, ''here is snaohinist
whose name is not on our list. Prob
ably it was thought too small a concern
for our purpose" said his companion.-
Nevertheless, let US try it, said Mr..
Wolfe.
They entered, and found at the desk
a middle aged man, whose somewhat
grimny aspect and apron. round his
waist, showed that be divided his labors
between the workshop and the counting
room
ave want to look over your works, if
you have no objection"
ait will give me great pleasure to
show you all that is to be seeu," said the
mechanic, with a pleased alac-ity, ring
ing bell and telling the boy who en-
tered to take charge of the office:
He then led the way, .au explained
10 tho strangers the whole pro ooaH Of