The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-02-27

" Who is that manr Peter asked, after
the stranger had gone.
That" returned by-stander, in evil
dent surprise; !" don't you know himi"
"No. Who is itP'
Why that is Mr.. wilkins"
"Sumner Wilkins, of Byfeldi"
!" The man who is going to build the fac
tory:"
Yes"
Peter Cox left the room with a sinking
heart and by the time he reached his shop
he was almost sick. What fall il was.
lie went home TO dinner, and ere long his
wife had learned the whole story. She had
already learned that the great job had been
given to another, and now why il had been
given another, and now why it had been
done.
!" Why didn't he let me know who he was
when ne came into my shops" said Peter in
a petulant mood.
:" That isn't the question: suggested the
wife, speaking as considerably as possible.
II would be better, Peter, il you would ask
why didn't you treat him respectfully? 1t
seems, from your own account, that he asked
very simple and proper queston--such a
question as any man ought to answer with
pleasure. | tell you, my husband, POLITE
Nkss PAYS. Ii you could only overcome
your habit Of treating strangers so uncouth-
", you would be greatly the gamer thereby.n
For some days Peter Cox was sore and
morose lie saw the work commenced up
on the factory without his assistance, and
feared that he should have but little busi-
ness for some time 10 come. He had at first
been inclined to think very hard Of Sumner
! wilkins but when he came TO reflect more
calmly he thought differently. He could
not wonder that the man had been repulsed
BY his rudeness.
II was saturday afternoon, and Peter was
IN his shop, doing nothing but thinking,
when some one entered. He looked up, and
saw ir. Wilkins.
How dy'e doi" said the capitalist.
How dye doi" returned the builder.
g You are not very busy, take it," ad-
ded Wilkins.
quick, rough answer was making its
WAY to Peters lips; but he did not speak it.
lie recollected himself in season. He lad
taken solemn obligation upon himself that
he would not allow any more such word, to
go out from his mouth upon his fellow
men.
"No, SIR" he replied, as soon as the old
spirit had been quelled; /" am not very bu-
~ just now"
Perhaps you would like 70 work for
me-"
"As you wish it."
WE'LL" said wilkins, 81 am in want
Of help, and should like to employ you. /
meant to have employed you before; and
perhaps you can imagine why did not.
However" he added, as he saw Peters coun-
tenance fall, /" there's no need Of referring
J 10 that, only for the lesson il teaches. felt
the cut Of your rudeness very deeply; and
the more so, because could not see where
IN had given any occasion for it."
was rude" returned Peter, frankly
]" and as YOU have intimated, found les
son in the result; and hope | may profit
bY IT,"
/" That's enough, sir. And so well let
the past 60" wilkins extended his hand
As he spoke, and Peter grasped it warmly.
And now" the visitor continued, let's
come to our business. The man whom
had engaged to superintend the erection Of
ny mill, has so much other business that he
would like 10 be spared from this so, il you
will take II, will let him CO."
4 0i course Peter took il; and when the
mill was done, 50 well and faithfully had he
performed his work, that he had more offers
Of valuable contracts than he could possibly
attend 10.
But Peer Cox did not forget the prime
secret III this new success. lie knew that
he was eminently qualified as an architect
aud builder; but this was not all He also
Knew that the last lesson he had learned was
the most valuable one--that the last invest
ment he had made was yielding him the
creates; interest. And, moreover, the in
cumc from the Politentss which he had
come 70 possess was not all gross and mate
rial. NJ. no-one Of its highest and purest
lrn;s vas that which came TO his heart, and
which remained with him to bless him
wherever he went.