The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-12-21
Conscientiousness.

occasionally dipped his pen in the INK
he had net writtena word for the last
ton minutes. No one was in the office
Int himself on this occasion. So no one
was watching Jehn, excepting the great
God who always sees us. John did not
think of him, or perhaps he would not so
thoroughly have wasted that half-hour
as he did He whistled softly TO himself.
Then with his pen he idly drew some
comic figures on his waste paper. Then
bs laid his head on his hands feeling al
most inclined to gt'to sleep. And so the
time was idled away until, looking at the
clock, he saw with delight that it was
ten minutes to six.
So he got off the stool and closed the !
hooks for the day, and locked them up.
Having done that, he did what, if he
were alone at this time, he never omitted
doing-he looked carefully about the
floor.
He found, lying among scraps of paper,
two bits of lead pencil, which he care
fully put into his pocket. He also found
three envelopes, which he put into his
pocket-book. Then he searched again on
the floor and found eight postage stamps,
snd these also he pocketed.
Was that IightS
am sure you will all decide that it
was very wrong indeed.
Then John presented himself before
the manager.
Shall be wanted again this evening,
sir?"
No, Winters, think not; good eve
ming"
Good evening, sir?"
John went down the street. Presently
he was accosted by a boy who lived near
him.
John, have you one or two good lead
pencils to selI?"
Yes, l have two bits" said John
taking the pieces from his pocket.
How much are they ?"
want a penny for the two"
do you2 Why, can get plenty of
lead pencils, wGle and new, for half
penny each"
" Well, you shall have three envelopes
as well, and l am sure that altogether, it
is a capital pennyworth."
&" You viii have to be tradesman.
John, you know 50 well how to do bust
ness" said the boy as he gave John the
penny, and received in exchange the
envelopes and pieces of pencil.
John went on until he saw a boy who
was living away from his friends, and
often wrote letters.
DAN" said John, al have found
some Postage-stamPs; will you buy
some2'
How many are there? -
Eight; and 1 will let you have them
for sixpence"
" Very we'll"
The exchange was made at once, and
Dan went on. But lad who had wit
messed the transaction stopped to speak
to John.
John" he said, gently, perhaps you
will say it is no business of mine, but I
cannot help thinking that you find a
good many things"
Z" Well, what if I do?" said John, feel
ing his face grow rather red.
Why, John, l don't want to make
( you cross, but it seems strange that 49,
( should find 20 many more things than
other people. / hope you do honestly
find them"
What do you mean?" said John,
angrily. l never offered to sell thing
which 1 have not really found"
But if you find it on the ground of
your masters premises if belongs to him,
and not to yeu and think it is dishonest
to take it."
"Do you mean to say that I am
thief?"
No, 1 leave that for you to decide.
But if your conscience tells you that it
is not perfectly honest, leave off doing
it, John. 1t would be such pity for
you to be spoiled for the want of con-
scientiOusness.
Charles Norman spoke so frankly,
and yet so gently, that John could not
speak violently in return. As for John.
he looked, as he felt, thoroughly I'M
comfortable. He hung his head, for he
did not care to meet the eyes of his
friend.
That evening Johns mother noticed
that he was very quiet, and thought he
was unusually tired. So she boiled
new-laid egg, and put it before him.
" Here is treat for you, my boy" she
said. Never mind being tired. Every
one who does his work conscientiously
must be weary sometimes, hut you will
feel better after you have had your
tea"
John felt as if he did not deserve the
egg, but he ate it up and then went out.
:" am going across the fields for a
walk, mother" he said.
Go, my boy. 1 am sure it will do
you good"
SO it did: much more good than his
mother guessed.
The words which Charles Norman and |
his mother had used rang in Johns ear
as he walked: Conscientiousness |
Conscientiousnessl"
"Ahl" sighed John, that is what 1 |
lack. If not, l should never have acted |
az have dOBe.'
He walked fast to try to shut out the
thought that came next, but it forced |
itself into his mind, and he could not get |
away from it.
"Ihave been robbing my master, both
of his time and his property"
81 will never, never do it again as
long as / live" ne said presently. al
did not know how wicked l had been
until Charles Norman's words told me-
o God, help me, that may be better in
futureI
The next morning John went to his
work, and there was no lettering all that |