Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-06-17

| BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.
Never judge man by the quality of his
clothes If man is habitcd in a garb fl
thy and ragged, that is one thing but the
simple garb Of labor may cover the best of
men. Among the many unfortunate mis-
takes which have been made in this latter
respect is the following, which happened
within lny own knowledge and observa-
ton
Christopher Goodhue, at the age of forty,
had amassed fortune in mercantile pursuits,
and had lost his health. His physician told
him he must leave the city, and quit his
present business. Said the man of medi-
cine,-
"Of course you must have employment,
and that, too, Of kind that shall exercise
your best business faculties Now I think,
my dear Goodhue, have just the thing for
you. You have been at Walkers Falls, up
in Franklin ?
Yes
'Well,- those large mills are for sale
both the wooden mill and the paper MILL
together with a machine shop belonging
to them. The former owner is dead and his
widow wishes to SELL Two hundred thous-
and dollars, cash, I am very sure you will
buy the whole property. You can pay that,
and yet have enough left to make you in
dependent of want or forced labor while you
live. And then. if you buy, you will
naturally improve two or three excellent
water privileges which are now idle Think
of it, my dear sir A healthy, salubrious,
and invigorating mountain air retired
and delightful location: fish and game Of
all sorts ready to your rod and gun whenever
you feel like relaxation and recreation >
and the very best school in the country for
your children
Mr.. Goodhue was taken with the idea
but, like prudent man, he said he would
speak with his wife. He did SO, and she,
sensible woman, said, -''Let us get out
from the city, 0, we can be very happy
in the free, fresh air ; and not only you, but
our children and myself will be better and
stronger
So Christopher Goodhue went up to
Walkers Falls, in the beautiful village
among the mountains, and bought the mills,
together with all the urimproved water
power and within two weeks thereafter he
had removed thither with his family, and
entered at once, heart and soul, into the
work Of improvement.
Now, Molly he said to his wife, you
know have come up here for healthful
exercise, shall hire men to do the druid
gerry of close Office work We must fix up
around the house. am going to dig and
hoe and delvc in the garden. So you must
make me pair of blue overalls and frock
l must dress for the work I do
Mrs. Goodhue smiled; but the cheerful
tones of her husband, already vimmy and
robust, made her heart glad, and she and
the girls set at work cheerfully and merrily
upon the clothing for the new laboring man.
People were rejoiced when they knew
that wealthy business man from the distant
city had bought the mills because those
same mills, employing nearly two hundred
hands, were the life Of the place and the
real good and prosperity Of other business
depended in great measure upon their
thrift and successful management
The principal store at Walkers Falls was
kept by man named Ralph Slower He
had managed tc work into the bulk Of trade
through the partially of the former proprie
tor of the mills, with whom he had shared
| the high profits Oh goods sold upon order to
the employees of the mills. He was an
honest man as the world goes; but with him
Honesty was Policy, and nothing more.
Ebcn Shackford kept the other proper
store,-an when | say, proper store, l
mean regular country store, where goods
of all kinds, qualities, and varieties, are
kept, and where farmers can dispose of all
sorts Of transportable produce. Shackford
was truly an honest man-honest from the
very inmost instincts of his heart With
him honesty was not so much principle as
part of his nature. He had not laid up
money. His trading was mostly confined
to an old run of customers among the
ncighboring farmers, while those who had
money to pay for their goods had been mon
opolized by the more stirring and schemlng
Slower.
I declare said Slower, L must 60 and
see Mr.. Goodhue, and make some arrange
ment for securing his custom and his orders
[ calculate his trade and influence will be
worth more than a thousand dollars year
clear profit. He must have got settled down
by this time, and ready for business L wish
l knew what sort of man he is. But
guess I shall know how to take HIM a1ser
I've studied him while. can read human
nature pretty easily" lo
The trader was preparing to leave wnen
laboring man entered the storeLa man nan
habited in blue overalls and frock' ana
wearing upon his head !; an old straw IA; nat
'Mr.o stovcr, I think?' said the new
conner
The laboring man started at the abrupt
ness and hrns(ness of the tone. He was
not used to being answered in that way .