Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-10-22
miscellaneous.
TIE REWARD OF COURTESY.

A Few years since, on a radiant spring alter
noon, two men, who from their conversation mp
peared to be foreigners, stopped before the gate Of
one OF the large wo, kshops in Philadelphia for The
manufacture of locomotive engines. Entering a
small Office, the elder of the two men inquired Of
the superintendent in attendance if he would per-
NIT them to inspect the works.
you can pass in and look about if you please"
said the superintendent; vexed apparently, by be-
Ing interrupted in the pcrusal Of bs newspaper.
lie scanned the two strangers more closely. They
we're respectfully but plainly clad, and. evidently
made no pretensions to official dignity Of any
kind.
lis there any one who can show us over the
establishment and explain matters to us p asked
Mr.. Wolf, the elder of the two strangers,
you must pick your own way gentlemen"
replied the superintendent 1--WE are all 100 busy
TO attend to every party that comes along. I'll
thank you not to interrupt the workmen by asking
questions"
1t was not so much tho matter as the manner Of
the reply. that was offensive to Mr.. VIII and his
companion. 1t was spoken with a certain official
assumption of superiority, mingled with contempt
for the visitors, indicating a naughty and selfish
temper on the part Of the speaker.
Il think we will not trouble you" said Mr..
Wolf, bowling and taking his companions arm,
they passed out.
"If there is anything l dislike, it is uncivility.'
said Mr.. Wolf when they were in the street. IL
do not blame the man for not wishing to show us
over the establishment is no doubt ANNOYED
and interrupted by many needless visitors, but he
might have dismissed US with courtesy. lie
might have sent us away better content, with a
gracious refusal than with an ungracious con-
sent"
Perhaps" said the other stranger, tive shall
have better luck here" and they stopped before
another workshop of a similar kind. They were
received by a brisk little man, the head clerk an
parently, 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,
brass, broken and rust heels of iron, fragments of
old boilers aud cylinders, into The main work.
shop.
Here, without stopping to explain any one thing
he led tho strangers along. with the evident in,en-
ton Of getting rid Of them as soon as possible.
When they passed where the workmen were rivit-
ing the external casing of a boiler, the clerk look
ed at his watch, tapped his foot against an iron
tube, and showed other signs of impatience,
whereuron Mr.. Wolf remarked. 1--WE will not de-
tain you any longer sir" and with his friend took
leave.
"This man is an improvement on the other"
said Mr.. Wolf. Int all The civility he has is on
the surface, it does not come from tho heart. We
must look further"
The strangers walked on for nearly half a mile
in silence, when one of them pointed to an hum
a. .:-z ...l Al. - -- -.
with q train of cars underneath. 1t overtopped a
small, but more than ten feet in hight gate COM
municating with a yard and workshop. Look"
said the observer. "here is a machinist whose
name is net on our list. Probably it was thought
too small a corner for our purpose, said his COM
panion. Nevertheless let US try it," said Mr..
Wolf.
They entered, and found at the desk q middle
aged man, whose somewhat grimy aspect and APP
ron round his waist, shows that he divided his :
labors between the workshop and the counting
rooom.
1--WE want to look over your works, if you have
no objection" said Mr.. Wolf.
ut will give me great pleasure to show you all
that is to be SEEM" said the mechanic. with a
pleasing alacrity, ringing a bell, telling a boy wto
entered to take charge of the office.
He then led the way, ard explained to the
strangers the whole process of constructing a To-
connective engine. lie showed them how the va
rious parts of the machinery were manufactured,
and patiently answered all their question. lie
told them OF an improved mode of tubing boilers,
by which the power Of generating steam was in
creased and showed with what care be provided for
security from bursting.
Two hours passed rapidly away. The stran-
gers were delighted with the intelligence display
ed by the mechanic, and with his frank, attentive
and unsuspicious manners.
Here is a man who loves his profession so we'll,
that he takes pleasure in explaining it's mysteries
to all who can understand Them" said Mr..
Wolf.
IL am afraid we have given you a good deal of
trouble" said the other stranger.
%"Indeed, gentlemen, l have enjoyed your visit"
said the mechanic, land l shall be glad to see you
again"
perhaps you may" said Mr.. Wolf, and
the strangers departed.
Five months afterwards. as the mechanic, whose
means were quite limited, sat in his office, medi-
tating how hard it was to get business by the side
of such large establishments as were his Compel
iiors, the two strangers entered. He gave them
a hearty welcome, handed chairs, and all sat
down.
W come" said Mr.. Wolf. with a proposition
to you from the Emperor Of Russia, to visit St.
Petersburg,
From the Emperor ? impossible |"
'Here arc our credentials"
"But gentlemen" said the now agitated mechan-
ic, "What does this mean How have ! earned
such an honor l.
"Simply by your straightforward courtesy and
f~rankness, combined with a professional i%ntelli-
gence." said Mr.. Wolf" Because we were
strangers you did not think it necessary to treat us
with coldness or distrust. You saw we were real
Iy Interested with your work, and you did not ask
us, before extending 10 us your niyilitx. what LII,