Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-09-02
THE REWARD OF COURTESY.
TRUE ACCOUNT.

A few years since, on radiant spring after
noon, two men, who from their conversation ap-
Peared to be foreigners, stopped before the gate
Of one of our large workshops in Philadelphia,
for the manufacture of locomotive engines
Entering a small office, the elder of the two
men inquired of the superintendent in attend
ance if he would permit them to inspect the
works.
"Yon can pass in and look about, if you
please" said the superintendent, yexed ePPa-
rently, at being interrupted in the perusal Of his
newspapers. He then scanned the two stang
ers more closely. They were respectfully but
plainly clad. and evidently made no pretension
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 elder of the strangers.
"YOu must pick your own way, gentlemen"
replied the superintendent, 1--WE are all too busy
to attend to every party that comes along. III
thank you not 10 interrupt the wOrkmen by ask
ing questions"
1t was not SO much the matter as the manner
of his reply, that was offensive to Mr.. Wolfe
and his companion 1t was spoken with a ceT-
tain official assumption Of superiority, mingled
with contempt for the visitors Indicating a
naughty and selfish temper on the part OF the
speaker.
Wolfe, bowing; and taking his cOmpaniOn's arm,
they passed out. EEI
9" II there is anything dislike, it is incivii-
ty," said Mr. Wolfe, when they were in the
street. " l do not blame the man for not
wishing to show US over his establishment
he is no doubt annoyed and interrupted by
many needless visitors but he might have
dismissed US with courtesy He might
have sent US away better content with
gracious refusal than with ungracious con-
sent"
"Perhaps We shall have better luck here"
said the other stranger; and they stopped be-
fore another workshop of a similar kind. They
were received by a brisk little man, the head
clerk, apparently, who in reply to their request
to be shown over the establishment, ans wered,
&" Oh, yes come with me, gentlemen. This
way" So saying, he hurried them along the
area strewed with iron bars, broken and rusty
heaps OF irun, and fragments of old cylinders,
into the principal workshop.
Here, without stopping to explain any one
thing he led the strangers along with the evident
intention of getting rid Of them as sOcn as pos
sible. When they poused where woTkmen were
riveting the external casting of 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 VIII LAol AgAAlAA Jou AulA,EAf HAAg aI4 Win
/ his friend, took leave.
sThis man is an improvement on the other"
said Mr.. Wolfe " but all the civility he has is
/ on the surface II does not come from the heart.
We must look further"
| The strangers walked on for nearly half
mile in silence, when one of Ihem pointed to 4
picture Of locomotive engine with q train Of
cars underneath. 1t overtOPPed small build
/ ing, not more than ten feet IN hight, commu-
nieating with a yard and 4 workshop Look, Z"
said the observer, "here is a mschinist 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
Mr. Wolfe.
They entered, and found at the desk middle
aged man, whose somewhat grimmy aspect AMI
apron round his waist, showed that lfe divided
his labOrs between the workshop and the count
ing-rOOm-
1--WE want to look over your works, if you
have no objection"
at will give me great pleasure to show you
all that is 70 be seem" said the mechanic, 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 constructing a
locomotive engine He showed them how the
various parts Of the machinery were manufac-
tured, and patiently answered all their ques-
tons He told them of improved mode Of
tubing boilers, by which the power Of genera
ting steam was increased, and showing With
what care he provided for security from burst
ing.
Two hours passed rapidly away. The stran-
gers were delighted with the intelligence dis
played by the mechanic, and with his frank, at
tentive and unsuspicious manners. "Here Is a
man who loves his profession 50 WELL that he
takes pleasure in explaining It's mysteries to all
who can understand them, " thought Mr. Wolfe.
Il am afraid we have given you deal Of
trouble" said the other stranger.
" Indeed, gentlemen, have enjoyed your
visit" sa:d 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 mechanic
whose means were quite limited, sat in his Of
fee, meditating how. hard it was to get business
by the side Of such large establishments as were
his competitors, the two strangers entered He
gave them hearty welcome, handed chairs,
and they sat down.
"We come" said Mr. Wolfe, "with propo-
sition TO you from the Emperor of Russia"
"From the Emperorl Impossible J"
"Here are our credentials"
'sBut gentlemen" said the now agitated me
chanie, "what does this mean How have
earned such an honori'
Simply by your straightforward courtesy
and frankness, combined with professional intel
ligcnce,' said Mr.. Wolfe. because we were
strangers, you did not think necessary to treat
us with distrust or eoldness. You saw we were
in earnest in acquainting ourselves with your
works, and did not ask Us, before extending to
Us your civilities, what letters Of introduction