The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-07-21
The Reward of Courtesy
A True Account.

the SuPerlutenu0nC In attendance III ne
would permit him to inspect the works.
You can pass in and look about if you
please said the superintendent, vexed ap-
parently at being interrupted in the peru
sal of his newspaper. He scanned the two
strangers more closely. They were respec-
tably but plainly clad, and evidently made
no pretensions to official dignity of any
kind.
Is there any one who can show us over
the establishment and explain matters to
US ? asked Mr. Wolf, the elder of the two
strangers.
You must pick your own way, gentle
men, replied the superintendent we are
all too busy to attend every party that
comes along I'll thank you not to inter-
rupt the workmen by asking questions
1t was not SO much the matter as the
manner Of the reply, that was offensive to
Mr.. Wolf and his companion. 1t was spo-
ken with certain official assumption of
superiority, mingled with contempt for the
visitors, indicating naughty and selfish
temper on the part of the speaker.
l think we will not trouble you,' said
Mr.. Wolf, bowing and taking his compan-
ions arm, they passed out.
If there is anything | dislike, it is incl
Witty said Mr.. Wolf, when they were in
the street, do not blame the man for not
wishing to show us over his establishment ;
he is no 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 a
gracious refusal than with an ungracous
consent
Perhaps said the other stranger we
shall have better luck here and they stop
ped before another workshop of similar
kind. They were received by brisk lit
tie man, the head clerk apparently, who in
reply to their request to be showen over
the establishment, answered, o, yes I!
come with me, gentlemen. This way So
saying, he hurried them along the area
strewed with iron, brass, broken and rusty
heels of iron, fragments of old boilers and
cylinders into the principal workshop.
Here, without stopping Ito explain any
one 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 riviting the ex-
ternal casing of the boiler, the clerk looked
at his watch, tapped his foot against an
iron tube, and showed other signs of i'm
patience, whereupon Mr.. Wolf remarked ::
We will not detan you any longer, sir
and with his friend took leave.
This man is an improvement on the 9th
err said Mr.. Wolf, but all the civility 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 a locomotive engine with train OF cars
underneath. 1t overtopped small build
ing not more than ten feet in height, COM
municating with yard and workshop
Look said the observer, here is ma
chinist whose name is not on our list
Probably it was thought to small concern
for our purpose said his companion
Nevertheless let us try said Mr.. Wolf.
They entered, and found at the desk a
middle-aged man, whose somewhat grlmy
aspect and apron around his waist showed
that he divided his labors between the
workshop and counting room.
I'VE want to look over your works, If
you have no objection said Mr.. Wolf
1t will give me great pleasure to show
you all that ia to be seen,' said the mechan-
ic, with pleased alacrity, ringing bell,
telling boy who entered to take charge
of the Office.
He then led the way. and explained to the
strangers the whole process Of constructing
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
the power of generating steam was lncreas.
ed, and showed with what care he provided
for security from bursting.
Two hours passed ra Idly away. The
strangers were delighted with the intelli-
gence displayed by the mechanic, and with
his frank, attentive and unsuspcious man.
ners.
Here is man who loves his profession
so we'll, that he takes pleaure in explaining
its mysteries to all who can understand
Them said Mr.. Wolf.
Il am afaid we have given you a deal of
trouble, said the otherstrauger.
Indeed. gentlemen, have enjoyed your
visit, said the mechanic, and | shall be
glad to see you again.
Perhaps you may said Mr.. Wolf, and
the strangers departed.
Five months afterwards, as the mechanic
whose means were quite limited sat in his
Office meditating how hard it was to get
business by the side of such la'ge establish
mentS as, were his competitors, the two
strangers entered. He gave them hearty
welcome handed chairs and all sat down.
We come said Mr.. Wolf, with pro-
position to you from the Emperor of Rus
sia, to visit st. Petersburg
From the Emperor impossible
Here are your credentials.
But gentlemen said the now agitated
mechanic, what does this mean How have
earned such an honor p
Simply by your straightforward courtesy
and frankness, combined with prosesslonal
intelligence said Mr.. Wolf.
Because we were strangers you did not
think it necessary to treat US with GOODNESS
or distrust. You saw we were really inter-
ested in acquaintng ourselves with your
works and you did not ask US. before eX-
tending to us your civilties what letters OF
introduction we brought. You measured
US by the spirit we showed and not by the
dignities we might have Exhibited.
The mechanic visited st. Petersburg,
and soon afterwards removed his whole es.
tablisment there. He had Imperial orders
there for as many locomotive engines as ne
could construct. He has lately returned
to his own country, and it still receiving
large returns from his Russian Workshop
And all this prosperity grew out OF his
unsel6sh civilty to two strangers, one OF
whom was the secret Agent of the Gar of
Russia.
Rsg An auctioneer was selling library
at auction. He was not very we'll read in
books, bat he scanned the titles, trusted to
luck and went ahead Here you have"
he said, " Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress;