The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-07-04

nothing to say TO her; others looked
at her with pity and shrugged their
shoulders, as if To say:
"Poor woman, it is not her faultl'
Others declared to her what they
thought.
After defending her husband warm
ly, she returned home weeping, and
saying that she "would live no longer
in Marmonte."
"If 60 away" said Benoit, 'T
shall leave bad name behind me-"
"But what good will it do for you to
remainP" asked Madame Benoit.
81 mean to recover my good reputa-
tion," answered he.
"But you will lose all your custo-
mersl" ~ llaHl aC.g.
NO." said Benoit, "for will be the
best carpenter in town."
"There are others quite as good as
you; what will you do to make your
self better than they?" said his wife.
"By taking the most difficult work
and trying to make it perfect"
Benoit had work on hand when he
was arrested. He hastened to finish it.
He did it SO well, 80 promptly, and 50
reasonably, that the firm continued to
employ him in spite of their bad opin-
ion of him. He arose two hours ear
lier than usual every morning, and re-
tired later; he labored diligently, so
as to hire fewer workmen, and be able
to work cheaper, although he furnished
the best material and workmanship.
Thus he not only kept his own custo-
mers, but acquired new ones.
He knew people thought ill of him,
and were often afraid to trust him
alone in a room, but he took no notice,
and quietly smiled to himself. But if
any one spoke rudely to him in the
street, while passing along, he gave
such look that the insult was never
repeated. He saw, too, how his ac-
counts were examined, but he took
care to make them so clear, so detail
ed, and supported them with such
proofs, that his customers sometimes
finished by saying:
"You take more pains than you need
to take"
| "No," said he; 81 know your opinion
of me. 1t is necessary that you should
see clearly that l 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 ar
rived 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 entered the
door, saying:
"If 1 happen to save the house, you
can see sfterward if l have stolen any
thing"
He mounted alone to the top of the
house, where no one dared to follow
him. Passing through chamber, he
saw watch lying on the mantelpiece.
He put it in his pocket to prevent its
being stolen; then thinkingi if he were
to perish in the flames, and this watch
found on him, it would prove him q
robber, he concealed it in vase near
by, climbed to. the spot nearest the
fire, stood where the flames had al
ready reached, and, with few blows
of his hatchet, cut off all communica-
ton between 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 if it were stolen you would
think took it,"
The upright conduct of Benoit, con-
stantly seen by the public, began to
make a favorable impression.
A rich man came to the province to
build large manufactory. He in
quired for the best carpenter in
Marmonte. 1t was impossible not to
point out Benoit. He employed him,
and was SO pleased with his zeal, intelli-
gence and uprightness, that he at once
pronounced him an honest man. AS
he was person of Importance, this
produced great effect.
The reputation of Benoit as a work.
man soon extended throughout the
province. He 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 of all classes, and every one
spoke highly of him. He was watch
ed no longer.
| People still wondered how his win
dow and door came to be open on the
night of the robbery, and many be-
lieved he could have told. The rich
man who had employed him to build
his manufactory, and who was very
much interested in him, told him he
ought to explain the circumstance.
"Why should / ?" asked Benoit
"My reputation, for honesty is estab
: lished."
The adventure was almost forgotten
when a robber named Trappe was ar
rested iD a neighboring province, who
confessed that he committed the deed
which had nearly ruined poor Benoit
"Well," said Benoit quietly, wher
the towns-people came TO congratulate
him-"I was sdre an honest man could
not always pass for knave."
PLEAsURE,-Tis pleasant to watcl
| Al L. L L