The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-08-31
The Reward of Virtue.

- Virtue is its own-A-Ward.
A day or two since a kind looking young
man called on Mr. James Sturgis, the
well-known tea ara coffee importer of New
street.
Do You remember me p asked the
young man, bowling, and holding his hat
deferentlally in both hands.
" No. really can't recollect you now,
young man, replied Mr.. Sturgis, looking
lnqulrlngly over his glasses.
Don't you remember giving $3.50 10
poor boy few wears ago to start in the
paper business p continued the good young
man.
Mono l can't possibly recollect
anything about it. Let's see-no-I'm
positive that don't remember you" and
Mr.. Sturges went on examining his
ledger
Well, Mr.. Sturges, ! came to tell you
that | am that boy, and that your kindness
made man Of me. | am now in a -four
lshing business the cigar business and
am well enough off TO keep my horses, and
enjoy 4 credit among business men. / want
you should take the g. 30 back my deepest
obligations, and the young man handed a
$40 bill TO Mr.. Sturgis
" All right" said Mr.. Sturgls, you
can leave me 81 80 if you insist"
And the interest. too, continued the
honest fellow
oh, hang the interest Good morning
good morning, sir II and the South
street millionaire was soon buried in his
books and papers again, while the good
young man received 81 80 in exchange for
his $40 bill
++
Two or three mornings after this occur
renee the great importer looked up and
saw the young man, all out Of breath, com
ing into his office.
q" | say, Mr. Sturgis I've Just got -
splendid chance to make some
money A man who has Just failed !-
round on Beaver street will let me have :
1000 Havana cigars for S75 and
i came in in great hurry to see if
you wouldn't lend me the money for half
an hour Y
Why, yes, young man" said Mr..
Sturgis, :" if it is any accommodation. |
don't mind the $50. Here. Michael (turn-
ing to the porter you 20 around to Beaver
street with the young man, pay the $75,
and bring the 1000 cigars here to be stor-
ed ;" and then Mr.. 5. looked very kindly
at his honest young protege
Hmt, Mr.. Sturgis, you needn't send
Michael IN"
No trouble at all, sir, said Mr.. Ster-
gis, Michael has moth"
But, ., sir, I'm afraid that you doubt
my integrity, Interrupted the young man,
you are afraid to trust me. You wound
my honor, replied the young man. much
affected. :" hope you don't doubt my
pure intention, Mr. Sturgis r
"Oh, nO-not at all but &75 is good
deal Of money in these times. | don't
know you very well, and"
" But my self-respect will not permit me
to do this, replied the young man, look
ing honstly into the millionaire's fa5e
Really can't do it,. I'd rather loose the
trade"
Well, all right" said Mr.. Sturgis.
Good morning, sir :" and the young man
left with his pride deeply wounded;
The next day the good young man called
again. Mr.. Sturgis was out-in the back
| room
=" Do you remember me leaving g. 30
here the other day - he asked, stepping
| up 10 the cashier.
= Yes, very well-very well, sir"
We'll, was under the impression that
l borrowed it Of Mr. James s. Sturgis but
it was Mr.. Russell Sturgis, and if you'll
please hand it back III"
| you'll try and swindle somebody else y
shouted Mr. Sturgis, comingout Of the back
room. I" No, sir, think I've wasted about
two dollars worth Of time on you, and well
keep this little amount to remember you
BY
Mr.. Sturgis' new protege went awaymuch
aggrieved. He looked the picture Of in
jured innocence, which quite melted Mr..
Sturgis' heart I'm moment he felt that
the young man might be right after al, and
he sent the porter 10 overtake him with
$3.50.
Mr.. Sturgis Is now peri thy satisfied a.
TO the intention Of the young man. This
morning the bank sent back the e1O. II
was . very ingenious counterfeit. II de-
ceived the bank at first. Mr. Sturvis look
ed at the bill long time, then he turned
10 his cashier and remarked, evidently
there in q mistake somewhere, or else we
have been deceived"
Then MIR. Sturgis filed up the foIlowins
formula The miserable ble-mean-
swindling -scoundrel--"
1 Thst was all he said, except to guard hil
cashier against maxi any remark about
| the affair, as he didn't like to have hi
friends get hold of it, oh, no.-Eh Pcrk
ins.