Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-03
An Honest Clerk.

Employed by large commission firm in
New York city, during the late civil war,
was young man TO whom the following in
cident relates.
The hrm sent the young man to negotiate
with a certain party for large amount of
damaged beans. The beans were purchased,
delivered, and spread out upon the upper
floor of the building occupied by the firm.
Men were employed to turn them over and
over to sprinkle them with solution of soda,
so as TO improve their appearance and rem
der them more saleable. A large lot of the
first quantity Of beans were first put into
the barrels, then the barrels were nearly
filed with the poor ones, after this the good
ones were again put on the top and the
barrel headed up for sale.
The employer marked the barrels Beans
"A l." The clerk, seeing this, said Do
you think, sir, that this is right ?"
The employer retorted sharply, care you
the head Of the firm ?"
The clerk said no more. The barreling
and heading went on. When all was ready,
the beans (many hundreds of barrels) were
put on the market for sale. Specimens of
the best quality were shown to buyers.
AT length shrewd purchaser came in
mo man so sharp In business but he will
often meet his equals) examined the sample
in the office, inquired the price, and then
wished TO see the stock in bulk. The clerk
was ordered to go with the buyer to the
upper loft and show him the stock. An
open barrel was shown, apparently of the
same quality as the sample. The buyer then
said TO the clerk, Young man, the sample
of the beans shown me is of the first quail
ity, and it is impossible to purchase such
beans anywhere in the market for the price
which you offer them. There is something
wrong here. Tell me, are these beans the
quality throughout the barrels as they APP
pear on the top?"
The young man now found himself in
strange position. He thought, Shall |
lie for my employer, as he undoubtedly
means shall, or shall tell the truth, come
what will 7" He decided for the truth, and
said, 4" No, sir, they are not"
"Then," said the customer, al do not
want them" and he left.
The clerk entered the office. The en-
ployer said to him, 4" Did you sell that man
those beans 2"
He said, "No, sir"
"Why not"
swell, sir, the man asked me II those
cans were the same quality through the en-
tire barrel rs they appeared on the top. !
told him they were not, He then left"
go to the cashier" said the employer,
land get your wages we want you no
longer" He received his pay aud left the
office, rejoicing that he had not lied.
Three weeks after, the firm sent after the
young CLERK, entreating him to come back
again into their employ, and offered him
three hundred dollars more salary per year
than they had given him. and the firm
knew and felt that the man was right, al
though they had apparently lost largely BY
his honesty. They wished to have him
again in their employ, because they knew
that they could trust him, and never suffer
through fraud or deception. They knew
that their financial interests would be safe
in his custody. They respected, they hon.
ored that young man.
And thus We learn from this authentic
narrative Of truth, how it puts to blush
those who deCpise IL, while 1t gives mora
power, elevation and refinement 10 those
who practice it--Latle Cleaner