The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-02-27
"PoLITENEss PAYS. !"
AN EVERY DAY SKETCH.


there was one Peter Cox and am sorry to
say that, from what little stock Of patience
he may have possessed, he invested none of
il in Politeness. At all events, he did not
do ii when he entered business. Peter was
builder by trade and one Of the most thor
ough and faithful workmen Of the country.
Ii he undertook a contract, he was sure to
perform his part punctually and properly.
Still he was not always employed, Tor many
who might otherwise have hired him, we're
repulsed by his uncouth manner Of treating
them, and sought assistance elsewhere.
Peter" said his wife TO him, one even
ing, /" do you know that you have lost a job
Just by offending Mr.. Graham :"
Peter looked up from his paper, and asked
her what she meant.
81 mean," she replied, that Mr.. Gra-
ham has hired Leayitt to build his new
house."
Well-what Of III" said Peter, rather
crustily.
"Why, am very sure he meant 10 have
hired you to do the job aud that he would
have done so had you not offended him.
!" How did offend hims"
"By not listening to him when he wished
to describe to you his plan for the building.
His plan was foolish one."
"Well, suppose il was; il YOU had felt il
to be your business TO tell him SO, YOU nAght
have done il in polite way
!" Bah y cried Peter, with snap of his
finger, don't talk Of poIiteness in business.
Ii | were to bother myself to be polite TO
everybody who happened to call upon me, |
should have my hands full"
81 think it would pay" ventared the
wife.
Peter pooh'd at the idea; and then told
his wife that he wanted to read.
About month after this Peter came home
in unusual spirits. He had been out Of work
for some time, and had been rather msudy
aud crusty. His wife noticed the change,
and asked him what had happened.
There's aprospect Of work, " he replied.
!" We are to have better times in town.
Sumner wilkins, of Byiields, has bought
the whole Of the water-power on our stream,
and is going to erect factory here. think
I'll get the job. They say that Wilkins
would rather have some one here to do it,
and my friends will recommend me-
Mrs. Cox was highly delighted, for she
knew that such job must pay well ; and she
hoped her husband might not be disappOint-
ed.
A few days Afterwards an order came for
some window blinds; and one afternoon,
while he was busy at his bench, man came
and watched him at his work for some few
seconds with speaking. He was a middling-
aged man, rather cOarsely clad; aud Peter
supposed il must be some one who wanted
work.
" How dy'e do!" said the stranger as Pc
ter laid aside the slat which he had Just i'm
ished.
How dye do ~ returned Peter, in i sOr,
Of uncouth grunt.
"'rhat looks like good lumber you're work.
ing there" remarked the visitor.
. It's good enough" was the response.
"What il such lumber worth here !"
al don't know !" as Peter thus answered,
he took another slat, aud began to plane it.
"l suppose you buy some lumber, sir, f"
said the stranger.
IL do when want it." returned Peter,
without looking up from his work.
els there any in town TO be sold :"
" They'll tell you at the mill. don't
saw lumber myself"
But you Know the value Of il, remark
ed the stranger, with slight touch ol icei-
Ing in his tone.
"Who told you II returned Peter.
al supposed, a. YOU we're III the way ol
using considerable lumber Of various kinds.
that you would be proper person to ash"
"Well, SIR" said our groaty builder "a
his uncouth, unkind and ungentlemaniy way,
cit 50 happens that have something else
10 attend TO besides keeping tie price oi
lumber for ever, body who may @aht lev
boards
.Ah! yes didn't know YOU were . ba
sy,p returned the visitor, in the coolest an,
most polite manner imaginable. Pafdoi
me il ] have interrupted you." Aud ~itl
this, he left the shop.
Peter Cox had done no more in this In
stance than he had done great manf timr.
before hut yet he could not put il lrom hi,
mind so easily. Somehow il clung to him
and even after an hour had passed, IL found
himself wishing that he had treated bis Yis.
itor with a little more deeency. But IL Sa'
too late now.
Peter got his blinds all made, aud then
waited for news from Byhcld, as II was cx-
pectcd Sumner wilkins would soon make
arrangements TO commence operations. Tie
felt sure Of the job. as his friends had seen
wilkins, aud recommended him strongly.
Il would be a good as three dollars day tc
him for several months.
One morning. as Peter came out on e
the street, he heard il remarked that vii.
kins had got his hand. al engaged, and will
break ground ,ery soon. Il could not b,
possible. thought our builder. Surely h,
would have had some notice Of such move
Half an hour after that, he was standing a
the door 81 grocery when q man drove VI
in carriage, and came into the store. III
bowed TO one or tvo who stood there, bu
gave Peter only cold look. Il was the maj
who had called at his shop two weeks before
and inquired the price Of lumber. lie wa
dressed plainly as ever, but he drove
splendid horse, and the carriage was cost
lone,