The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1866-07-18
TkE REWARD OF COURTESY.
A TRUE ACCOUNT.

y few years since, on ra liant spring
afternoon, two men, who from their
conversation appeared to be foreigners,
stopped b,fore the gate of ono OF the
large workshops in Philadelphia tor the
manufacture OF locomotive engines
Entering a small Office, the elder OF the
two men inquired oi'the superintendent
in attendance ifhe would permit him to
inspect the works
you can pass IN and look about il
you please said the superintendent,
vexed apparently at beng interrupted in
the perusal OF lis newspaper. lie scans
ned the two strangers more closely
They were respectfully but plainly clad,
and evidently IN de no pretentons to
official dignity ofany kind
"Is there any one who can show us
over the establishment and explain mat
ters to us ?" asked Mr. Woif, the elder
Of the two strangers
"You must pick your own way, gen>
tlemen," replied the superintendent
1--WE arc all too basy to attend every party
that comes along I'll thank you not to
interrupt the workmen by asking qucs
tons"
1t was not so much the matter as the
manner OF the reply. that was offensive
to Mr., Wolf and his companion. 1t was
spoken with n certain official assumption
of superiority, mingled with contempt
for The visitors, indicating a naughty and
selfish temper, on the part of the speak
or.
IL think we will not trouble you,'
said Mr.. Wolf bowlng, and taking his
companions arm they passed out.
"lf there is anything | dislike, it is in
clvlllty," said Mr.. Wolf, when they were
in the street II do not blame the man
for not wishing to show us over lis es-
tablishment, he is M doubt annoyed and
interrupted by many needless visitors,
but he might have dismissed us with
courtesy. He might have sent us away
better content with gracious refusal
than with an nngracious consent"
"perhaps,' said the other stanger,
"'wo shall have better luck here )" and
they stopped before another workshop
of a similar kind. They were received
by brisk little man, the head clerk ap.-
parenty, who IN reply TO their request
to be shown over the establishment, an
swered, 80, yes come with me, gentle
n"n. This way" 50 saying, he hur-
ried them along the area strewed with
iron, brass, broken and rusty heels of
ilon, fragments of old boilers and cyhn.
eers into the principal Workshop
Here, without stopping to explain any
thing, he led the strangers along, with
the evident intention OF getting rid of
them as soon as possible. When they
passed where the workmen were rive;ing
the external casing of a boiler, the clerk
10 ked at his watch, tapped his foot
against an iron tube, and showed other
signs Of impatence, whereupon Mr..
Wolf remarked: ave will not de,an
you any longer, sir, and with his friend
took leave.
"This man.is an improvement on the
other,' said Mr.. Wolf, "but all the civ
llity he has is on the surface it does not
come from the heart. We must look
further"
The strangers walked on for nearly
half mile in silence; when one of them
pointed to an humble sign, with picture
of locomotive engine with train of
cars underneath. 1t overtopped a small
building not more than ten feet in height,
communicating with a yard and work,
shop. '"Look,' said the observer, "here
is a machinist whose name is not on our
list Probably it was thought too small
concern for our purpose" said his com
panion. Nevertheless let US try" said
Mr. Wolf
They entered and found at the desk
middle-aged man, whose somewhat
grimy aspect and apron around his waist
showed that he divided his labors be-
tween the workshop and counting room.
"We want too look over your works,
it yotrhave no objection said Mr.. Wolf.
cit will give ME great pleasure to show
you all that is to be seon," said the me.
chanic, with Il pleased alacnty, ringing
a bell, telling the boy who entered to
take charge of the Office.
He then led the way, and explained to
the strangers the who 10 process of con,
structing locomotive engine. He show
ed them how the various parts Of the ma~
chinery were manufactured, and patient
ly answered all Their questions. He
told them Of an improved mode Of ftublng