The Shasta courier., 1864-05-07
The Value of Courtesy.

y
conversation. appeared to be foreigners, stop
ped before the gate of one of our large york
shops lin Boston, for the M .nnfacture # To-
comotive engines. Entering a small ohce,
the elder of the two men inquired of the lsu-
perintendest in attendance if he woula Der
mit them to inspect the works.
- You cap pass in and look about if you
choose" said the uperntendent, vexed, ap-
parently, at being interrupted in the perusal
of his newspaper. He then scanned the two
strangers more closely. They were respec-
tably but plainly dressed, and evidently made
no pretentions to official dignity of any kind.
Is there any one who caI show us over
the establishment, and explain matters to us?"
asked Mr. Wolfe, the elder of the strangers
You must pick your own way. gentle
Aen,' replied the superintendent - we are
all too busy to attend to every party that comes
along. III thank You not to interrupt the
workmen Ly asking questions"
1t was not so much the matter as the man.
ner of his reply that was offensive to Dir.
Wolfe, and his companion. 1t was spoken
with certain official assumption sof superb
ority. mingled with contempt for the visitors.
indicating naughty and selfish temper.
+" think we will not trouble you," said
Mr.. Wolfe. bowling; and taking his compan-
ions arm they passed out.
- If there is ANYTHING dislike it is incivil-
ity," said Dir. Wolfe to his companion. when
they were in the street. 81 do not blame the
man for not wishing to see us over his estab
lishment; he is no doubt ANNOYED and inter
rupted by many needless visitors; but he
might baye dismissed US with courtesy. He
might have sent us away better content with
a gracious refusal than with an ungraciOus
consent"
Perhaps we shall have better luck here"
said the other stranger, and they stopped be-
fore another workshop of simier kind
They were received by brisk little man.
the head clerk. apparently, who. in reply to
their request to be shown over the establish
ment, answered, ''Oh, yes, come with me,
gentlemen this wayt' So saying. he hur-
ried them along the area strewn with iron
bars. broken and rusty wheels of iron, frag
ments of old cylinders, into the principal
workshop. Here, without stopping to ex.
plain any one thing, he led the strangers
along with the evident intention of getting
rid of them as soon as possible. When they
paused where the workmen were riviting the
external castings of boiler, the clerk looked
at his watch, tapped his right foot against an
iron tube, and showed other signs of impa-
tience, Whereupon Mr. Wolf remarked !.
I'VE will not detair you any longer, sir,
and with his friend took leave
- This man is an improvement on the 9TH
er." said Mr.. Wolf; but all the civiity
he has is on the surface; it does not come
from the heart We must look further
The strangers walked on for nearly half a
mile in silence, when one of them pointed to
a picture of a locomotive engine with IA train
of cars underneath. 1t overtopped small
building not more than ten feet in height.
communicating with ward and workshop.
Look, said the observer. here is ma
chinist whose name is not on our list"
Probably it was thought too small con-
cern for our purpose" said his companion.
- Nevertheless, let US try it," said Mr..
Wolfe
They entered and found at the desk mid
dleaged man, whose somewhat grimy aspect
and apron around his waist showed that he
divided his labors between the workshop and
counting room.
We wish to look over your works, sir, if
you have no objection"
- 1t will give me great pleasure to show
you all there is to be seen," said the meehan.
il, with pleased aacrity, ringing bell.
and telling the boy who entered to take charge
of the Office. He then led the way. and ex.
planned to the strans ers the whole process of
constructing IL locomotive engine. He show
ed them how the various parts of the machin.
cry were manufactured, and patiently an
swered all their questions. He told them of
an improved mode of tubing boilers by which
the power of generating steam was increased,
and showed with what care be provided for
security from bursting. Two hours passed
away. The strangers were delighted with
the intelligence displayed by the mechanic.
and with his frank, attentive and unsuspi-
cious manners.
g Here is man who loves his profession
so well, that he takes pleasure in explaining
its mysteries to all who can understand them :"
thought Mr.. Wolfe.
8 | am afraid we have given you good
deal of trouble" said the other stranger.
Indeed gentlemen. have enjoyed your
visit said the mechanic, 4" and shall be glad
to see you again"
Perhaps you may" said Mr.. Wolfe, and
the strangers departed.
Five months afterward, as the mechanic.
whose means were quite limited, sat In his
office. meditating how hard it was to get bus
iness by the side of such large establishments
as were his competitors, the two strangers
entered lie gave them hearty welcome
handed chairs and sat down.
We come" said Mr.. Wolfe, "with a
proposition from the Emperor of Russia"
: From the Emperor? Impossible !"
Here are our credentials
:. But gentlemen" said the now -agitated
mechanic, ''what does this mean? How
have | earned such an honor?"
Simply by yonr straightforward courtesy
and frapkness. combined with professional
intelligence" said Mr. Wolfe. 9 Because
we were strangers, you did not think it nee
cessary to treat US with distrust or coldness.
fou saw we were in earnest in acquainting
ourselves with your works, and did not ask
before extending to US your oivilities =
what letters ofintroduction we brought. You
measured Us by the spirit we showed. and
not by the dignitiss We could have exhibit
ed"
The mechanic visited St. Petersburg. and
soop altar ramarsd his whola esta ahlishment