Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-01-24
The Reward Of Courtesy.
A TRUE ACCOUNT,


large workshops in Philadelphia for the
manufacture OF locomotive engines
Entering a small office, the older Of the
two men inquired of the Superintendent
in attendance II he would permit him "a
inspect the works.
"Yol can pass in and look about II
you please" said the Superintendent
vexed apparently 10 being interrupted
in the perusa 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.
as there any one who can show us
over the establishment and explain mat
ters to us 2" asked Mr.. Wolf, the elder
of the two.
"You must pick your own way, gen.
tlemen," replied the Superintendent,
1--WE are all too busy to attend to every
partyithat comes along. I'll thank you
not to interrupt the workmen by asking
questions"
/ 1t was not so much the matter as the
manner of the reply, that was offensive
10 Mr.. Wolf and his companion. TWAS
spoken with a certain official assump-
t1on of superiority, mingled with con-
tempt for the visitors, indicating a
haaghty and selfish temper on the part
of she speaker.
II think VIC will not trouble you, I"
said Mr.. Wolf, bowling and taking his
companions arm, theg passed out.
81 I there is anything | dislike, it is
incivility," said Mr. Wolf when they
were In the street. IL DO not blame the
man for not wishing to'shOw US over his
establishment; he is, ne doubt, annoyed
and interrupted by many needless visit
ors, but ne might have dismissed US with
courtesy. He might have sent Us away
better content with a gracious refusal,
than an ungraCjOuS CONSENT
"PefhaDs,7 said the other stranger,
Eve shall be better treated here ;" and
they stopped before anot1er workshop Of
similar kind. They were received by
brisk little man, the head clerk appar
emily, who, in reply to their request to
be shown over the establishment, an
swered, 30, yes come with me, gentle
men. This way" SO saying, he hurried
along the area, strewed with iron, brass,
broken and rusty heels Of irOn frage-
ments of Old'boilers and cylinders into
the principal workshops.
Here without stopping to explain any
enc thing, h3 led the strangers along
with the evident intention of getting rid
of them as soon as possible. When
they passed where the woPkmen were
riveting the external casing CT boiler,
the clerk looked at his watch, tapped his
foot against "a iron tube, and showed
other signs Of Impotence, whereEpon,
Mr. Wolf remarked "We will not de-
tain you any longer, sir, and with his
friend took leave.
''This man is an Improvement on the
other, said MI Wolf, "but all the civil
lily he has is Oh the surface it does not
come from the heart. We must look
further"
The strangers walked on .or nearly
half a mile in silence, when one Of them
pointed to an humble sign, with pic
ture of locomotive engine with train
OF cars underneath. It overDpped a
small building not more than ten feet in
height, communicating with g yard and
workshop. Look" said tina observer.
"Here is msehinist whose name is not
on our list"
"Probably II was thought too small a
concern for OaR purpose" said ais CON-
paniOn.
Nevertheless, let us try, said Mr..
Wolf.
They entered and found at the desk a
middle-aged man, whose somewhat
grimy aspect and apron around his
waist, showed that he divided his labor
between the workshop and the counting
room
II want 20 look over your works,
if you have no objections said Mr..
Wolf.
"It will give me great pleasure to
show you all there is to be seen" said
the mechanic with a pleased alacrity,
ringing bell telling the boy who en-
| tered to take charge Of the office.
He then led the way, aud explained to
the stranger the whole process Of con-
| structing a 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 increased and
showed with what care he provided for
security from bursting.
Two hours passed rapidly away. The
strangers were delighted with the intel.
ligenee displayed by the mechanic, and
with his frank, attentive, and unsuspic
ious manners.
"Here is man who loves his profes
sion so well that he takes pleasure in ex
planning its mysteries to all who can I'M
derstand them" said Mr. Wolf.
81 am afraid that we have given you s
great deal of trouble" said the othel
stranger.
"Indeed, gentlemen, 1 have enjoyed
your visit" said the mechanic, land ]
shall be glad to see you again"
perhaps you may" said Mr.. Wolf
and the strangers departed.
Five months afterwards as the me
chanic, whose means were quite limited
sat in his Office meditating how hard il
was to get business by the side of such
large establishments as was his compe
titors, the two strangers entered. He
| a.