The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-04-08
1.-THE Wheelbarroyy Esusisess,,

~ Is relateu OF Glrard, that when 4 Young
tradesman having bought of him and paid for
bag OF coffee, proceeded to wheel it home him.
self, the shrewd old merchant immediately offer.
ed to trust his customer for as many bays as he
might desire. The trait of character revealed
by the young man in being his own porter, had
given the millionaire confidence in him at ON ce.
His reputation was made with Girard He be-
came favored dealer with the enterprising mer.
chant, throve rapidly, and in the end made a for.
ture"-Erchange
That sort of thing might have worked well
enough with old Girard, but it don't fool anv.
body now l have tried it, l bought half \
pound of tea at Penderry's the other day. after
reading the above paragraph, and wheeled it
nome In the most ostentatious manner, to see if
fenderry, who was looking on, wouldn'. offer TO
trust me for all the tea that l wanted but he
didn't On the contrary, heard him speal, M
sharp to clerk as went around the corner
| asking him if that tea was paid for
afterward took whee.barrow and went to a
Hour store on Central avenue. Bought small
bag OF -four, twenty-five pounds think. and
loaded it on, the head of the concern looking at
Inc with apparent interest "Now,"I thout5bt
sis my opportunity This is Grard Teller, he
will tell me to come and get all the -four I can
wheel away, and pay when get ready. Perhaps
he will offer me partnership in his store.
Then spat on my hands and whipped them
over my shoulders to encourage vigorous cir
sulation' rubbed them together smartly, and
clutching the handles of the barrow, started off
at brisk trot. l had proceeded about a souare
when heard some one shouting after me. Look
ed around and saw the -four man co,nlng nm a
dead run.
"Ha, ha thought I, "the thing works ad.
mirAbly The example of Steve Girard is MOI.
lost l have revealed trail: of character in be.
ing my own porter, to say nothing of nv beer.
and my fortune is made The -four and feed
man recognizes my merits, and comes to offer
me a partnership"
As he approached, saw he had some money
In his hand. "He is at least" said, "goiny to
return me my money" There was a severe look
ON his face as he came up to me which did ma.
accord at all with what had pictured Gira-d's
countenance to have worn when he gave the
carte blanche for coffee
While rejecting that it might be "bis wav "
he said ''Sir, want you to go right back 70
my store"
ut is coming now" though did not ouits
like his tone "Wheelbarrows are about 70 rs.
ceive their reward. He is going to offer me a
partnership; perhaps to turn over his entire
business TO me-" l was consequently eated
Then l said TO the -four and feed man (iust "a
shough"l didn't know, you know, the clever
"e' '' 'hean' 10 90 lor me-, May l inquire
for what purpose, sir Z"
certainly you may" he replied, frowninp
worse than ever. "You showed this one dollar
counterfeit bill to my clerk, and you must come
back till get policeman Oh you needn't
try to look so innocent! Ispicioned you when
l saw you coming round to my store to get such
little jag o -four as that. Watched We to gee
that ye didn't steal nothin'. You see YOU can't
fool an old hand like me-"
Here was turn in affairs that would aston.
lsh OLD Girard himself. l tried to explain. As.
sured him that supposed the note to be genuine.
ne was ineredulous for time, and was disposed
to have me locked up and the wheelborrow de-.
tanned as witness, but finally let me off on INV
redeeming the note.
The wheelbarrow business is all a humbuu A
man can't make a character in any such way,
And the chances are that he will lose what lit,le
he starts out with.-Fdt Contrijutoy.