Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-04-16
THE TWO CLERKs-"DON'T WASTE YOUR
TIME"

-
The admonition is applicable to all, but more
especially to young men and the incident we are
about to relate is one of so forcible a character
that we think it will he productive of good.
Two young clerks in a large American and
French house were particularly intimate, so much
so, that although they boarded in different houses
yet they were constantly together during the
hours Of recreation from business.
One of them had been presented with o little
French poodle, and he at once set about instruct
ing it to perform all those little tricks for which
the breed is famed.
For some days his companion witnessed his per-
severing efforts to make 'Grotto' bring his hand
%kerchief, catch pennies, stand upon his hind legs,
and do many other trifing but amusing tricks.
At length he got tired of being q looker,on at so
much waste of time, and whilst his friend was be.
ing the tutor of Grotto, he himself would be q pu,
pill to a French teacher, and endeavor to master
the French language by the time Grotto's educa.
ton was completed.
Without saying a word to his friend, he COM
menced bis studies, and being d~illigen., fast ac'
quired a knowledge of the language he also inn
proved from hearing a good deal Of French spoken
in the store, though he carefully avoided uttering
a word. AT length Grotto was finished, and had
very truly acquired o knowledge of an infinite
number Of amusing games, and his owner prided
himself no little on his requirements.
The owne. of Grotto was a little the senior in
the store of the other, and Of course, ranked him
in promotion. One morning he came out Of the
private room of the principal member of the firm,
and, looking very much downcast, approached his
friend.
''Tom," said he, "the firm wants to send one OF
the clerks this summer to France to buy goods, and
they have offered the chance to me, providing !
could speak French; but as "Oui" is about the
extent of my French, it's no 60 for this child.
What q fool l was for not studying it when I was
q boy p
"Well," said Tom "whose chance is nextl"
"Why, yours, Of course. Ha, ha, ha! They
will put the question all around out Of politeness ;
and as none of us can parley rous- hs, ha, ha -
why somebody will be engaged and all of US head.
ed off
In the course Of the morning, Tom was called
before the firm, and in glowing terms were the adj
vantages set forth, if he could speak the language
of the country they wished him to go. Tom
listened with delight, and ~inwardly chuckled at
the surprise he would give them.
o course" said one of the firm, "you should
have the situation if you could only speak French;
but as you cannot, we shall have to employ some
one else. Very sorry-great pity, &C."
"Well," said Tom, "it can't DO helped, and there
is no time, l suppose, to study row, SO l must just
do the best 1 can. Mr.. Toutette, shall you and l
have q little chat, and perhaps l may pass mus.
ter"
Mr.. Toutette and Tom entered into an animat
ed conversation, very much to the surprise of all
present. which having been kept up in double
quick time for some fifteen minutes, Mr. Toutetts
very candidly told his partners that Tom was fully
competent for the place.
Tom was a great ~favorite, and the firm was hear.
tily glad that he was capable of holding the situa-
tion and he was instructed to prepare himself
for departure by the next steamer, with the priv
lege of peeping into the Worlds Fair.
Tom now returned TO his friend, who met him
with q right good "Ha, hs, ha I" "Well, Tom, nc
use-I told you SO /" A |" replied Tom, ''you
are out this time. My French has been approved
of, aud l am done here-I sail in the next steam
err 5.ss
"You don't say SO But, Tom, when did yor
learn French I"
"When you were teaching Grotto."
A new light flashed across the vision of Grotto'
master. what" said he, whilst I was f%oolinl
over that dog, you were studyingf"
s "Just so and you know with what success GU
8 time has been rewarded"
= By the ~judicious disposal Of time, one younl
o man is on the high road to mercantile fame an,
= fortune /; whilst by throwing away time, another
b equal in abilities, is doomed to d~rudgsry ant
lclerkship perhaps all his days.-Plsughman.
Another Worlds Fair, on q grand scale, il pro