The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-08-23

out TO talk with her ne1RhOorB. Some
turned their backs and would hive no.
thing to say to her; others looked ut her
with pity, and shrugged their shoulders,
as If to Say:
'tPoor woman, it is not her fault
Others declared to her what they
thought. '..e
After defending her husband warmly;
she returned homo weeping, and saving
that she would ''live no longer in Mar.
monte"
eff go away" Says Benoit, 81 shall
leave O bad name behind me-" ~
sBut what good will it do for yoh to
remain?" asked Madame Benoit. f'''
II mean to recover my good reputa-
| ton" answered he. .'l
"But you will lose all your. custom;
NO" said Benoit, ''for will be tire
best carpenteri in town" s
"There are others quite as good as
you; what will you do to mako yourself
better than they2" said his wife. -
'.By taking the most difficult work
and trying to make it perfeot:",'
Benoit had work on hand when he was
arrested. He hasteued to, finish it He
did it 30 we'll, so promptly and SO ren-
sonably, that the firm continued to en-
ploy him in spite of their bad opinion OF
him. He arose two hours earlier every
morning, and retired later; he labored
diligently. 80 as to hire fewer workmen,
and be able to work cheaper, although
ne furnished the best material aud work
manship. Thus be not only kept his
own customers, but acquired new ones.
he knew people thought ill 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 rndely to him in the street,
while passing along, he gave such q look
that the insult was never repeated. He
saw. too, how his accounts were ex-
amlned, but he took care TO- make them
30 clear, 30 detailed, and supported them
with such proofs, that his customers
sometimes finished by saying: e.n,.
"You take more pains than you need
to take" ~. 1y,. ...I6!' s0.,-i. ,il
"No." said he; II know your opinion
Of me. It is necessary that you sh holild
see clearly thatI do not deceive you.n
About this time house took fire and
threatened the one next to it. Several
workmen tried to prevent the Are reach
ing 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 theycould
not lind. he pushed through them arid
entered the door, sayiHg:::
IL happen to save the house.. You
can see afterward if I have stolen any,
thing"
He mounted alone to the top of the
house; where no one dared to follow him.
RAISING through n chamber, he saw q
watch lying on the mantlepiece,.. Heput
IT, In his pocket to prevent It's Being
stolen; then thinking if he were to
perish in the flames, and this watch
iound on him, it would prove him rob-
Der, he concealed it in vase near by,
Climbed to the spot nearest 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.
II put it there" said he, .because I
thought if it were stolen, you would
think I took it."
The upright conduct Of Benoit con-
stantiy seen by the public, began to
make a favorable impression.
a rich man came to the province to
Dalld large manufactory. He inquired
for the best carpenter in Marmonte. It
was impossible not to point out Benoit.
He employed him. and was 80 pleased
with his zeal, Intelligence and upright
ness, that he at once pronounced him
an honest man. AS lie was person of
Importance, this produced great effect.
The reputation OF Benoit as work
man soon extended throughout the pro-
vince. He was pnt in charge of great
enterprises. He was even able to under
take smaller ones on his own account.
This brought him in contact with men
OF all classes. and every one spoke high
~ of him. He 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 fioh man who
had employed him to build his manu-
factory, and who was very much inter-
ested in him. told him he ought to ex-
plain the circumstance.
"Why should I2' asked Benoit. ''My
reputation for honesty is established"
The adventure was almost forgotten,
when robber named Trappe was ar
rested in neighboring province. who
contested that he committed the deed
which had nearly ruined poor Benoit.
WELL. said Benoit quietly. when the