Maryland free press., 1866-06-21
THE REWARD OF COURTESY

ped before the gate of one of the large
workshops in Philadelphia for the manu-.
facture of locomotive engines. Entering
small office, the elder of the two mep in
quired of the superintendent in attendance
if he 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 pc
rusal of his newspaper. He scanned the
two strangers more closely. They were
respectfully 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;-''wc we
are all too busy to attend to every party
that comes along. Ill 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 certain official assumption of
superiority, mingled with contempt for the
visitors, indicating a naughty and selfish
temper on the part of the speaker.
Il think we will not trouble you," said
Mr.. Wolf, bowing, and taking his COM
panion's arm, they passed out.
"lf there is anything dislike, it is in
civility," said Mr.. Wolf, when they were
in he street. Il do not blame the man
for not wishing to show us over his estab-
lishment; he is no doubt annoyed and in
terruptcd by many needless visitors, but
he might have dismissed us with courtesy.
Lie might have sent us away better con-
tent with gracious refusal, than with an
ungracious consent"
Perhaps" said the other stranger,
1--WE shall have better luck here" and they
stopped before another workshop of SINH
lar kind. They were received by brisk
little man, the head clerk apparently, who
in reply to their request to be shown over
the establishment, answered: 80, yes.
come with me, gentlemen. This way"
So saying, he hurried them along the area
strcwed with iron, brass, broken anu rusty
heels of iron, fragments of old iron boilers
and cylinders into the principal workshop.
Here, without stopping to 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 workmcn were riviting the cx-
tcrnal casing Of L boiler the clerk looked
at his watch, tapped his foot against an
iron tube, and showed other signs Of impa-
ticncc, where upon Mr.. Wolf remarked:
"he Viii not uctain you any longer, sir, ~
and with his lrlunu took leave.
"Ihis mau is al improvement on the
other" said Mr.. " oll, "uut all the ciyili-
Gy he has is on tue surface, it docs not
come from the heart. We must look fur
ther." .
1he strangers walked on nearly half
mile i'll silence, when one OF them pointed
to an humble sign, with picture Of Il loco-
motive engine with train ofcars under
meath. 1t ovcrtoppcd small building
not more than ten teet in height, commu-
ncatins with yard and workshop.
''LVok,' said the observer, here is Il ma
chinist whose name is hot on our list.
Probably it wus thought too small u con-
Germ for our purpose" said his compan-
ion. Nevertheless let us try. said Mr..
Wolf. ... ..
They entered, and found at the desk IA
midd!e-aged man, whose somewhat grimy