The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-03-30
TIE REWARD OF COURTESY.

IuE III " y I'D Of IULAlES1.
A few years ago, on q radiant after
noon, two men, who from their conyersa-
ton appeared to be foreigners, stopped
before the gate Of one Of our large work
shops in Philadelphia, for the manufacture
Of locomotive engines Entering a small
Office, the eldest Of the men inquired OF
the superintendent in attendance if he
would permit them 10 inspect the works.
You can pass in and look about, if
you please" said the superintendent,
vexed apparently at being interrupted in
the pcrusal Of his newspapers. He then
scanned the strangers moro closely
They were respectfully but plainly clad,
aud evidently bad no pretensions 10 Of
fetal dignity Of any kind.
as there any one who can show us
over the establishment and explain mat
ters 10 usl' asked Mr.. Wolfe, the elder
Of the strangers.
"You must pick your own way gentle
men," replied the superintendent, I'VE
are all too busy 10 attend 10 every party
hat comes along. III thank you not
10 interrupt the workmen by asking qnes-
tons"
IL was not so much the matter, as the
manner Of his reply, that was offensive
30 Mr.. Wolfe aud his companion. Ii
WIS spoken uitis a vrrtain Official HsSuanP-
ton OF superiority, mingled with con-
tempt for the visitors. indicated a hAugh-
ty aud selfish temper on the part Of the
speaker.
Il think we will not trouble you, " said
Mr. Wolfe, boWing; and taking his com
panion's arm they passed out.
II there is any thing dislike il is in
ciyility," said Mr.. Wolfe, when they were
in the street. Il do not blame the man
for not wishing to show us over has es-
tablishment; he is no doubt ANNOYED and
interrupted by many needless visitors;
but lac nigh, have dismissed US with
courtesy. He might have sent US away
better content with gracious refusal,
than with an ungraeious consent.
"Perhaps we shall have better luck
here" said the other stranger; and they
stopped before another workshop Of n
similar kind. They were received by a
brisk little man, the head clerk apparent
ly, who in reply 10 their request 10 be
shown over the establishment, answered,
f" On yes! come with me geBtlemeB.-
This way" So saying he hurried them
along the arena strewed with iron bars,
broken and rusty wheels Of iron, frag-
ments Of old cylinders, into the principal
workshop.
Here, without stopping 20 explain any
one thing, he led the strangers along with
the evident intention Of getting rid Of
them rs soon as possible. When they
pauscd where the workmen were riveting
the external castings Of a boiler the clerk
looked at his watch, tapped his right foot
against an iron tube, and showed other
signs Of impatience. Whercupon 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 all the civil
ity he has is on the surface; it does not
come from the heart We must look
further"
The strangers walked on for nearly
bali mile in silence, when one Of them
pointed 10 picture Of locomotive engine
with train Of cars underneath. II over
topped small building, not more than
ten feet in height, communicating with
yard and workshop. Look" said the
observer, "here is a machinist whose
name is not on our list. Probably it was
thought too sfnall concern for our pur-
poses" said his companion. " Neyerthe-
less, let us Try it," said NJ. Wolfe.
They entered, and found at the desk
middle-agcd man, whose grimmy aspect
and apron round his waist, Showed that
he divided his labors between the work
shop and the couniinglocm.
We want 10 look oysI your works, il
vcu have no objection"