Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-06-08
THE WHEELBARROW BUSINESS

ut is related Of Girard, that when a
young .radesman having bought of him
aud paid for bag of coffee, proceeded to
wheel it home himself, the shrewd old
merchant Immediately offered 10 trust his
customer for as many bags as he might
desire. The trait ofcharacter revealed BY
the young man in being his own porter,
had given the millionaire confidence in
him at once. His reputation was made
with Girard. lie became favored deal
CT with the cnterprising merchant. throvc
rapidly. and in the end made fortune. -
-E1change.
That sort Of thing might have worked
we'll enough with old Girard, but il dom,
fool anybody now l have tried it.
bought half pound Of tea at Penderry's
the other day after reading the above par
agraph, and wheeled i. home in the most
ostentatiOus manner, to sec if Penderry
who was looking on. wouldn't offer 10 trus,
me for all the tea that wanted, but be
didn't. On the contrary, I heard him
speak up sharp to clerk as I went around
the corner. asking him If tha: tea was paid
for
aftcrward took q wbeelbarrow and
went to -four store in Central avenue.
Bought small bag Of -four. twenty y-five
pounds. | think, and loaded it on, the
head Of the concern locking at me with
apparent interest.
Nov" I thought sis my opportunity
This is Girard feller. He will tell me
20 come and get all the -four can wheel
away, and pay when get ready. Per-
haps he will offer me partnership in his
store"
Then I spat on my hands and whipped
them oyer my shoulders to encourage a
vigorous circulation. rubbed them togeth-
er smartly, and clutching the handles of
the barrow started off at brisk frot.
had proceeded about square when I heard
some one shouting after me. I looked
around and saw the -four man coming on
dead run.
"Ha, ~ thought I, 1.-THE thing works
admirably. The example Of Steve Girard
is no: lost. ] have revealed trait Of
character in being my own porter. to say
nothing Of my beer. and my fortune is
made The -four and feed man recognizes
my merits. and comes to offer me part
nershipw'
As be approached. I saw he had some
money in his hand. "He is at least"
said. ''going to return me my money
There was severe look on his face as he
came up 10 me which did not accord at all
with what had pictured Girard's counte-
nance 10 have worn when he gave the
carte blanche for coffee.
While rejecting that II might be "his
ssy." he said: ''Sir. ] want you TO 20
right back to my store"
ut i. coming now though I did not
quite like his tone. "Wheelbarrows are
about to receive their reward. He is COM
ing to offer me partnership; perhaps to
turn over his entire business to me-" |
was consequently elated.
Then I said TO the -four and feed man
just as though I didn't know. you know
the clever things he meant to do for NO."
MAY inquire for what purpose, sir I"
Certainly YOU may. he replied, frown-
ing worse than ever. "You showed this
one dollar counterfeit bill to my clerk. and
you must come back till get a policeman.
Oh you needn't try to hook so innocent
I spicioned you when I saw you coming
round 10 my store 10 get such little bag
o -four ss that. Watched 70 to see that
Se didu't steal ncthin'. You see sou can't
fool IN old hand like me-"
Here was turn in affairs that would
askcnish old Girard himself. l tried to
explain. Assured him that l supposed
the note 10 be genuine. He was inered-
ulous for time. and was disposed to have
ne lecked mp aad the wheelbarrow de-
tanned a witness. but finally le. me of
sa my redesming the note.
The wheelharrow business il MI a hum
bug. A man can't make character in
any such way. And the chances are that
As vill lose what little he starts out with.