The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-03-25
The Growth of Courtesy.

Chesterfield, but it is wise to catch some.
thing of his winning manners. wo have
been repelied from intercourse with good
people, and from trading at certain stores,
by coldnossand gruflness of manner which
were specially uncomfortable. The follow
ing story is very good one to point moral,
and, II it has the merit of truth, is very sug.
gestive:
A few years ago, on radiant spring af.
.tcrnoop, two men, who, IRON thoir conver-
sa,ion. appeared to be foreigners, stopped
before tho gate of ono of our large work.
shops in Boston, for the manufacture of 10.
comotive engines. Entering the small of
flee. fhe older Of the two men inquired of
the superintendent in attendance If he would
permit them to inspect the works.
"You can pass in and look about, if you
Please" said tho superintendent. vexed, np-
parently, at being interrupted in the pc.
rusal of his newspaper.
llo then scanned tho two strangers more
closely. They we're respectfully but plainly
dressed, and evidently made no protensions
to official dignity of any kind.
"Is there any one who can show us over
tho establishment, and explain matters to
us 2 asked MIR. Wolfe. the elder of the
strangers.
"You must pick your own way, gentle
mon,' replied the superintendent 1--WE
are all too busy to attend to everybody that
comes along. I'll thank you not to inter-
rupt tho workmen by asking questions"
1t was not go puch the matter as the man.
ner of his reply that was offensive to Mr.
Wolfe and bis companion. 1t was spoken
with certain official assumption of supo-
riority, mingled with contempt for the Wis.
itore, indicating naughty aud selfish ten.
por.
IL think We will not trouble you," said
Mr. Wolfe. bowing and. taking his com.
ranion's arm, they passed out.
"1fthere is anything dislike it is incTyili.
ty." said Mr.. Wolfe to his companion, when
tboy wore on the street. II do not blame
the man for not wishing to show US over his
establishment; he is, no doubt, annoyed
md interrupted by many boedlcss' visitors {;
but no might have dismissed us with cour
tesy. Ho might have sent us away bctter
content with gracious refusal than with an
ungracious CONSENT"
"Perhaps wo shall have bettor luck here" 4"
said the other stranger and they stepped
before another workshop of similar kind.
They ~oro received by brisk little man,
the hend clerk, apparently. who, in reply to
their request to bo shown over the establish.
ment, answered.
20. yes, come with me, gentlemon-tbis
way"
SO saying, he hurried them along the
area, strewn with iron bars, broken and rus.
ty wheels of iron, into the principal work.
shop, Here, without stopping to explain
any ore thing, he led the strangers along,
with the evident intention of getting rid OF
thom as soon as possible. Whom they
paused where the workmep were riveting
the external casting of boiler, tho clerk
looked at his watch, tapped his right foot
against an iron tube, and showed other signs
of impatience. Wheroupon Mr.. Wolfe re-.
Marked
"We will not detain you any longer, sir"
and, with his friend, took leave.
"This man is an improvement on the
other" said Mr.. Wolfe; "but all tho civility
he has is on the surface; it does not come
from the heart. We must look further"
The strangers walked on for nearly hall
mile in silence, when one of them pointed
to picture of locomoti engine with q
train of cars underneath, 1t overtopped n
small building not more than ten feet 10
height, communicating with a yard and
workshop.
"Look," said tho observer, shore is ma =.
chnist whose namo is not on our list"
"Probably it was thought too small a
concern for our purpose" said his compan-
ion.
"Nevertheless, lot us try it," said Mr.
Wolfe.
They entered, and found at the desk q
middle.nged man, whose somewhat grimy
aspect, and apron round bis waist, showed
that he divided his labors between the
workshop and the counting.room.
"We want to look over your works, ifyou
have no objection"
at will givo me great pleasure to show
you all there is to be seen," said the me.
chanic, with a pleased alacrity, ringing a
bel, and telling the boy who entered to take
charge Of tho Office
He then led the way, and explained to
tho strangers the whole process of con-
structing locomotive engine. He showed
them how the various parts of the machinery
were manufactured, and patiently answered
all their questions. He told them of an
improved mode of tubing boilers, by which
tho power of generating steam was increased,
and showing with what care hc provided for
security from bursting. Two hours passed
away. Tho strangers were delighted with
the Intelligence displayed by tho mechanic.
and with his frank. attentive and unsuspi-
cious manners.
"Here is a man who loves his profession
so well that he takes pleasure in explaining
it's mysteries to all who can understand
/ - al- 4 r