The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-26

~ "SNPu'5f anu say III
that she "wUuld live no longer in Mar
monte.m
'lf | go away" said BenOit, I shall
leave bad name behind me.n
"But what good will it d or YOU t.
remain :" asked Madame Ben
81 mean to recover my goo, -eputation,'
answered he.
"But you will lnse all your Gus omers p
no" said Benoit, "for | will be the
best carpenter in towns
There are Others quite as good as you
what will you do to make yourself better
than they z" said his wife.
by taking the most difficult work and
trying to make it perfect.n
Benoit had work on hand when he was
arrested. He hastcned to finish it. He
did it 50 well, so promptly, and so reason
ably, that the firm continued to employ
him in spite Of their bad opinion of him.
lie arose two hours earlier than usual ev-
cry morning, and retired later; he laborcd
diligently, so as to hire fewer workmen,
and be able to work cheaper, although he
furnished tie best material and workman
ship. Thus he not only kept his own GUS
TONERS. but acquired new ones.
He knew people thought i'll of him, and
were often afraid to trust him alone in q
room, but he took no notice, and quietly
smiled to himself. But if any one spoke
rutely to Lin in the street, while passing
along. be gave such look that the insult
was never repeated. He saw, too, how
his accounts were examined, but he took
care to make them so clear, so detailed,
and supported them with such proofs, that
his customers sometimes finished by saying:
"You take more pains tl.an you need to
take"
"No," said he; "l know your opinion Of
me. 1t is necessary that you should see
clearly that do not deceive you"
About this time house took fire and
threatened the one next to it. Several
workmen tried to prevent the fire from
reaching it, but soon desisted on account
of the danger. Benoit arrived at the door
Of the Threatened house. The servants
dared not allow him to enter without leave
from their master, whom they could not
find. He pushed through them, and en-
tered the door, saying:
"Gf happen to save the house, you can
see afterward il have stolen anything"
He mounted alone to the top OF the
house, where no one dared to follow him.
Passing through chamber, he saw a
watch lying on the mantelpiece. He put
it in his pocket to prevent its being stolen
then thinking il he were to perish in the
flames, and this watch found on him, it
would prove him robber, he concealed it
in vase near bv, climbed to the spot near
est the fire, stood where the flames had
already reached, and, with few blows Of
his hatchet, cut off all communication be-
tween the two houses.
Coming down, he met the master of the
house. He showed him the watch.
81 put it there" said he, "because ]
thought il it were stolen you would think
took it."
The upright conduct Of Benoit, constant
ly seen by the public, began to make IA
vorablc impression.
A rich man came to the province to
build large mandatory. He inquired
for the best carpenter in Marmonte. 1t
was impossible not to point out Benolt.
He employed him, and was so pleased with
his zeal, intelligence and uprishtness, that
he at once pronounced him an honest man.
As he was person Of Importance, this pro-
duced great effect.
The reputation of Benoit as a workman
soon extended throughout the province.
lie was put in charge of great enterprises.
He was even able to undertake smaller
ones on his own account. This brought
him in contact with men ofall classes, and
every one spoke highly of him. lie was
watched no longer.
People still wondered how his window
and door came to be open on the night Of
the robbery, and many believed he could
have told. The rich man who had EN-.
ployed him to build his mandatory, and
who was very much interested in him, told
him he ought to explain the circumstance
"Why should II" asked Benoit. my
reputation, for honesty is established"
The adventure was almost forgotten,
when robber named Trappe was arrested
in a neighboring province, who confessed
that he committed the deed which had
nearly ruined poor Benoit.
"Well," spid Benoit quietly, when the
towns.people came to congratulate him
81 was sure an honest man could not al
ways pass for knaye."