The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-09-30
TERMS. --sl.2s FER AMNum.

terrupted by many needless visitors but
he might have dismissed US with courte-
Sy. lie might have sent us away better
content with a gracious refusal than with
an ungracious consent"
Perhaps we shall have better luck
here, said the other stranger; and they
stepped before another workshop Of sim
liar kind. They were received by brisk
little man, the head clerk, apparently,
who in reply to their request to be shown
over the establishment, answered, "Oh,
yes, come with me, gentlemen. This
way so saying, he hurried them along
the area strewed with iron bars, broken
and rusty heels of iron, fragments of old
cylinders, into the principal workshop.
I Here, without stopping to explain any
one thing, ne led the strangers along with
the evident intention of getting rid OF
them as soon as possible. When they
paused where workmen were riveting the
external casting ofa boiler, the clerk look
ed at his watch, tapped his right foot
against an iron tube, and showed other
signs OF impatience Whereupon, Mr..
y olte remarked "We will not detain YOU
longer, sir" and with his friend took
leave.
This man is an improvement on the
other" said Mr. Wolfe, "but all the ci
Witty he has is on the surface it does not
come from the heart. We must lock
further a
The strangers walked on for nearly half
mile in silence, when one ofthem point
ed TO a picture of locomotive engine
with a train of cars underneath. 1t over
topped a small building, not more than
ten feet in height, communicating with a
yard and workshop. "Look," said the
& observer, there i a machinist whose name
is not on Our list. Probably it was thought
too small a concern for cur purpose" said
his companion. Nevertheless, let US try
lit, said Mr. Wolfe.
They entred, and found at the desk a
middle aged man, whose somewhat GRIM
my aspect and apron round his waist
showed that lie divided his labors be-
tween the workshop and counting-room.
1--WE want to look over your works, if
tOu nav uO ODlccLiOn.
ait will give me great pleasure to show
you all that is to be seen," said the me-
chanic, with pleased alacrity, ringing a
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 constructing loco
motive engine. He showed them how
the various parts of the machinery were
manufactured, and patiently answered all
their questions. He told them of an im-
proved mode of tubing boilers, by which
the power Of generating steam was in
creased, and showing with what care he
provided for security from bursting.
Two hours passed rapidly away, The
strangers were delighted with the intelli-
gence displayed by the mechanic and With
his frank, attentive and unsuspicious man
ners. "Here is man who loves his pro-
tesslon so we'll that lie takes pleasure in
explaining its mysteries to all who can
understand them" thought Mr. Wolfe, 81
am afraid We have given you deal of
trouble said the other stranger. "In-
deed, gentlemen, have enjoyed your vis-
1t, said the mechanic, and shall be glad
to see you again
"Perhaps you may" said Mr.. Wolfe;
and the strangers departed.
Five months afterwards, as the meehan-
ic, whose means were quite limited, sat in
his office, meGitating how hard it was to
get business by the side Of such large es-
adjustments as were his competitors, the
two strangers entered He gave them a
hearty welcome, handed them chairs, and
they sat down.
"We come said Mr.. Wolfe, "with
to you from the Emperor of
Russia"
From the Emperor? ImpossIble!"
"Here are our credentials"
"But gentlemen, said the now agitated
mechanic, ''whai does this mean? How
have | earned such an honor?"
Simply By your straightforward cour-
tesy and trankness, combined with profess
slonal Intelligence" said Mr. Wolfe Be-
cause we were strangers you did not think
necessary to treat US with dlstrust or
GOODNESS. You saw we were in earnest In
ourselves with your works.
and did not ask US, before extending to
us your ciyiiities, what letters of intro
duction we brought. You measured IN
by the spiritwe showed, and not by the
dignities we could have exhibited"
The mechanic visited ST. Petersburgll,,
and soon afterwards removed his establish
ment there. He had imperial orders for
as many locomotive engines as he could
construct. He has lately returned to his
OWN country. and is still receiving large
returns from his Russian workshop. And
all this prosperity grew cut of his unself-
lSh ciyiity to two strangers, one OF whom.
q c.I..