American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-07-26
Do Your Work Well.

| one workman to another, shade of sur
prise in his voice.
"Why not?" was the answer at will
never be seem"
knew just how it was made:"
No"
''Why not?"
because it might give out in year in
stead of lasting five years"
"And you are going to let the job pass,
when you know that whoever buys it will
be cheated:" said the fcllow-workman.
ooh, you're more nice than wise" re-
turned the other, with Il toss of his head.
you draw things too fine.''
Suppose Mr.. Gray, down at the store,
were to sell you stuff for pants that he
knew would drop to pieces in less than
six months. Would you call him a
swindler.'
perhaps would"
as there really any difference in the
cases? Whoever buys this article that
you are making will be cheated out of
his money. You'll not deny that. As
much cheated as you would be if Gray
sold you rotten cloth"
The journeyman shrugged his should
crs and archcd his eyebrows.
1--WE must draw things finc' resumed
the other, ''if we would be fair and
honest. Morality has no special bearing
but applies to all mems dealings with
their fellow men. To wrong another for
gain TO ourselves, is dishonest. Is not
that sop
Eyes, l suppose"
you slight this job, that you may get
it done in Il shorter time than would be
possible if you made it stronger in every
part. Thus, in order to get Il dollar or
two more than honest work will give, you
let an article leave your hands that will
prove Il cheat to any man who buys it. |
tell you, it isn't right, We must do as we
would be done by in our work, as in
everything else. There are not two codes
of honesty-one for shopkcepers and one
for workmen. Whoever wrongs his
neighbor out of his money, cheats him."
The other journeyman turned away
from his monitor, looked half offended,
and bent over his workbench. AT first, he
went on finishing his job; but after awhile
his fellow workman saw him take out Il
defective piece of wood, and then remove
another which had not been properly
squared and jonted. Observing him still,
he saw him detach a piece which had
simply been driven into place, and which
gave no real strength, and after selecting
another, three or four inches longer, set it
by mOrtice and tenon firmly into the arti-
Gle he was making.
All this was done at an expenditure
of time not exceeding an hour and a
half
There" said he, in a tone of satisfac-
ton, speaking to his fellow-workman
''If that doesn't last forever, it will be no
fault of mine"
"a good, honest job,'' remarked the
other.
"As ever was made"
'And you feel better about it than you
would have done had it left your hands
to cheat the purchaser out of his
money ~
Yes, do" The answer came frankly
GLOW much more time has it cost you
to do this work well:" was asked.
ooh, not over an hour or twO.'
"And the thing is worth ten dollars
more to the buyer. In other words, it is a
well-made article, as it should be, and will
cheat nobody. Now you have done as
you would be done by; have kept your
conscience clear; have acted as Chris
tan man should"
''Oh as to that, don't profess to be
Christian" said the other. "I'm no hypo-
crite''
"a Christian profession is one thing,
and a Christian life another" answered
the fellow-workman ''All professors are
not Christians. Religion is Il thing of
daily life and unless it comes down into
a mans work and business, isn't worth IA
praying, or singing, will save Il man, if he
isn't honest in his dealings He must do
rs he would be done by-must begin just
rs you have begun, by refusing to wrong
his ncighbor, though tempted to do 50
that he may get an advantage for himself.
a new Kind of religion that remark
ed the iourncyman.
Gas old as Christianity" said the other,
"and the only kind that will save men.
AS we would that men should do to you,
do We even so to them, for this is the law
and the prophets He who said this,
knew all about it. And | am very sure
that if We begin to be just to our neigh
Dor, to try in all things to do as we would
be done by, our feet will have entered the
way that leads Heavenward-an though
we may be Il long way from that happy
country, if we keep walking on we shall
surely get there i'll the end.-1rthur's
NdgaztHe.