Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-07-19
All About a Brick.

when Jne servant informed me that.a man
was waiting at the front door to see me.
s'Tell him I'll be down in moment, y
said 1.
On going to the door man of tall stat
ure and robust appearance, calling me by
name, requested assistance, saying that
he had a large family, g wife in delicate
health, and no means to procure food for
them.
"You appear to be strong and healthy;
why don't you work ?" asked 1.
ssSimply sir, for the reason that I can
not procure work.
Not having any work to give him,
thought Iwould test the since rity of his
! Intentions.
eff 1 give you work, what pay do you
want?'
Anything, sir, you choose to give me,
so long as | can obtain means for my suf-
fering family"
Every WELL" said I, 81 will give you
twenty-five cents an hour if you will carry
a brick on your arm around the block for
five hours without stopping"
"Thank you, sir; [ will do it,"
After hunting awhile found a brick,
placed it on the mans arm, started him on
his walk, and then went down town to my
business.
Not having the least faith in the mans
promise, thought but little more of it,
yet as knew should be back within five
hours, determined to see if he performed
his work. My business kept me away ra-
Their later than I expected, so I had to
forego my usual walk home, and took a
Forth-avenue car to be back within the
five hours.
AS 1 approached the corner of the street
where reside 1 found great crowd of
persons gathered. two fre-engines, hose
cart, and a hook-and- bladder truck, Upon
inquring where the fire was, I was in
informed that it was false alarm, and
that what brought the people together and
occasioned the agitation was the spectacle
of tall man carrying brick on his arm
around the block for nearly five hours.
The neighbors were looking at him from
the windows and doors as he passed along;
some thought he was crazy, but when,
spoken to his answer was:
'Don't stop me; it's all right"
AS he interfered with no one, he was al
lowed to walk on undisturbed.
s'Where is the man % asked.
'There you can see him at the other
end of the block, walking with his head
down." was the answer.
He was just about turning the corner,
and I waited till he had performed the
circuit, then taking him by the arm, I
marched him to my house, followed by
lot of boys. In the meantime the fremen;
engines and hose cart ratified off. The man
was thoroughly tired out when I took him
into my hall and seated him on 4 chair,
and my servant went for little wine and
something to eat. / paid him dollar
and a half. He Informed me that, while
making one of his turns, a lady came out
of house and inquired why he was carry
ing that brick, and on giving her the rea-
son he received dollar. The object soon
became known, for as he passed the houses
small sums were given him by different
persons, and he was well satisfied with his
days work.
''But,' said he, "what shall do to-mor-
row ?7'
why replied, Ego early in the morn
ing to the houses from which you received
the money and ask for work, and no
doubt you will find some one who will put
you in the way of getting it,; then report
to me-"
The following afternoon he Informed me
that he had been sent to a German, who
kept pork establishment in Third avenue
and who wanted a clerk to keep his books.
He was to get five dollars week if his
work proved satisfactory, and his duties |
began on the following day. Before leav-
ing me he asked for the brick which had
brought him such good luck, and gave it
to him. Within the year / ascertalned
that the man had been transferred to a
larger establishment of the same kind with
salary of one thousand dollars. !
Three or four years after this 1 was RI
ding in a street-car, when a well-dressed
man accosted me with smile, and asked |
me if I knew him. Seeing me hesitate, he
said
ssDo you recollect the man who once
carried the brick ?"
He then Informed me that he was doing
a prosperous business on his own account.
had laid up money, and expected to build
himself hOuSe uD TOWN.
ssWhat became of the brick ?'' I inquir-
ed.
''That brick, sir. has always occupied a |
place on our mantel-piece, and we value it |
as the most precious Of our little possess
sions. It has made our fortune.'
BIRTHDAY GIFTs.-It requires some !
tact to present just the right gift to the
right person.. Books and flowers are al |
ways in order. To make acceptable gifts
in the line of dress to lady is very deli
cate and not always successful undertake
ing. Ere you venture upon it inform
yourself pretty thoroughly in regard to the