The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-06-17
THE REWARD or COURTESY.
A TRUE ACCOUNT.


A few years since, on radiant spring after.
| noon, two men, who from their conversation
appeared to be foreigners, stopped before the
| gate of one of our large workshops in Phla-
dolphin, for the manufacture of locomotive
engines. Entering small Office, the elder Of
the two men inquired of the superintendent in
attendance, if he would permit them to inspect
the works.
"You can pass in and look about, if you
please;" said the superintendent, vexed, appa-
rently, at being interrupted in tho perusal of
his newspapers. lie then scanned the two
strangers more closely. They were respecta-
bly, but plainly clad, and evidently made no
pretensions to official dignity of any kind.
ais 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 way gentlemen" re-
piled the superintendent, 1--WE are all too busy
to attend to every party that comes along.
I'll thank you not to interrupt the workmcn
by asking questions"
1t was not so much the matter as the man
ner Of his reply, that was offensive to Mr..
Wolfe and his companion. II was spoken
with certain official assumption of superb
ority, mingled with contempt for the visitors
indicating naughty and selfish temper on
the part Of the speaker.
II think we will not trouble you," said Mr.
Wolfe, bowing and taking his oompanicn's 3
arm they passed out.
"It there is any thing dislike, il is incivil-
ity, 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
annoyed and interrupted by many needless
visitors, but he might have dismissed us with
courtesy. He might have sent us away better
| pOntpntph with IL.
an uDgracious consent"
"Perhaps we shall have better luck here"
said the other strehserj and they stopped be-
fore another workshop of similar 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, ooh, yes! come with me, gentlemen;
this way" So saying he buried them along
the area stfewed with iron bars, broken and
rusty heels of iron, fragments Of old cylinders,
into the principal workshops.
Herey without stopping to explain any one
| thing, he led the strangers along with the evil
dent intention Of getting rid of them as socn
as possible. When they paused where the
workmen were riyetiIg the external casting of
boiler, the clerk looked at his watch, tapped
his right foot against an iron tube, and showed
other signs Of ihpatence. Whereupon Mr..
Wolfe 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 oil the clvllity he has is
on the surface; it does not come from the
heart. We must look further"
The strangers walked on for nearly half a
mile in silence, when ono of them pointed to q
picture of n locomotive engine with q train of
cars underneath 1t overtopped small build
ing, not more than ten feet in height, COM
municating with a yard and workshop.
Look" said the observer, "here is machin.
ist whose name is not on our list. Probably II
was thought too small concern for our pur-
posc," said his companion.
Nevertheless, let us try it," said Mr.
Wolfe.
They entered, and found at the deck mid
die aged man, whose somewhat grimy aspect
and apron around his waist, showed that he
divided his labors between the workshop and
the counting room.
owe want to look over your works if you
have no objection?"
ut will give me great pleasure to show
you all that is to be seen," said the mechanic,
with a pleased alacrity, ringing a bell, and tell
ing 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 q
locomotive engine. He showed them how the
various parts of the machinery were manufac
tured, and patiently answered all their ques-
tions. He told them of an improved mode OF
generating steam was increased, and showing
with what care he provided for security from
bursting.
Two hours passed away. The strangers
were delighted with the intelligence displayed
by the mechanic, and with bis frank, attentive
and unsuspicious manners. "Here is a man
who loves his profession so we'll, that he takes
pleasure in explaining its mysteries to all who
can understand them" thought Mr.. Wolfe.
81 am afraid we have given you considera.
BILE trouble" said the other stranger.
"Indeed, gentlemen, l have enjoyed your
visit" said the mechanic, "and shall be glad
to see you again"
"Perhaps you may" and Mr.. Wolfe and tn,
stranger departed.
Five months afterward, as the mechani
| whose means were quite limited sat in his Office
meditating how it was to get business by th
side Of such large establishments as were hi
competitors, the two strangers entered. IL
gave them hearty welcome, handed chair
| and sat down.
ave come" said Mr.. Wolfe, "with propo
sition to you from the Emperor of Russia"
"From the Emperor? Impossiblel"
"Here are our credentials"
"But, gentlemen" said the agitated me
chanic, "what does this mean? How have
earned such an honor?"
"Simply by your straightforward courtes,
and frankness, combined with professional in
teligence," said Mr.. Wolfe. "Because W
were strangers, you did not think necessary t
treat us with distrust or GOODNESS. You sa,
we were in earnest in acquainting ourselve
with your works, and did not ask us before ex
tending to US your civiities, what letters Q
introduction We brought. You measured u
by the spirit We showed, and not by the digni
ties we could have exhibited"
The mechanic visited ST. Petersburgh, an
soon afterwards removed his whole establish
ment there. lie had imperial orders for a
many locomotive engines as be could construct
He has lately returned to his own country, an
is still receiving large returns from his Rus
sian workshop. And all this prosperity gre,
out of his unselfsh oiyility TO two strangers
one of whom was the secret agent of the Cza
of Russia.
NAVAL BLUNDERs A Washington Iettc
says; Shubrick, us Commodore of the Para
quay expedition, ordered the report to be mad
to him of all the details of the expedition f.
the future guidance of the Government, an
thus it was disclosed in the general report
the Secretary of the Navy, that the vessel
were provided with ammunition but for seye
hours rapid firing, SO that if fight oecurre,
the expedition must have been defeated for ii
| want of nnwder md hall Thfa 1ieatnou,