Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-05-03
SELECT.
POLlTENESS PAYS.

stock of patience he may have possessed
he invested none ofitin politeness. AT
all events he did not do it when he en-
tered business. Peter was q builder
by trade, and one of the most thorough
and faitt ful workmen in the country.
If he undertook a contract, he was sure
to perform his part punctually and
properly. Still he was not always en-
ployed, for many who might otherwise
have hired him were repulsed by his
uncouth manner of treating them, and
sought assistance elsewhere.
Peter said his wife to him one
evening, do you know that you have
lost good job by offending Mr.. Ora
ham,
Peter looked up from his paper and
asked her what she meant.
Il mean,' she replied, that Mr. Ora
ham has hired Mr. Leavitt to build his
new house.
'Well-what of that p said Peter
rather crustily.
why, / am very sure he meant to
have hired you for to do the job, and
that he would have done 80 had you
not offended him.
How did / offend him p
BY not listening to him when he
wished to describe the plan for the
building
His plan was foolish one.'
We'll, suppose it was, if you had
felt it to be your business to tell him
SO, you might have done it in polite
way
'Bah!' cried Peter, with q snap Of
his fingers, don't talk of politeness in
business. If were to bother myself
to be polite to everybody who happen
ed to call on me / should have my
hands FULL
Il think it would pay ventured the
wife.
Peter poohed at the idea, and then
told his wife that he wanted to read.
About a month after this Peter came
home in unusual spirits. He had been
out Of work for some time, and he had
been rather moody and crusty. His
wife noticed the change and she asked
him what had happened.
There's a prospect of work, he re-
piled, we are to have better times in
town. Summer wilkins of Byfeld has
bought the whole of the water pond on
our stream, and is going to ,.'ect fac
tory here. | think I'll get the job.
They say that wilkins would rather
have some one here for to do it, and
my friends will recommend me-
Mrs. Cox was highly delighted, for
she knew that such q job must pay
well, and she hoped that her husband
might not be disappointed.
A few days afterward an order came
for some window blinds; and one after
noon while he was busy at his bench,
man came and watched him at his
work for few seconds without speak
ing. He was middle-aged man,
rather coarsely clad, and Peter suppos-
| ed 1t must be some one who wanted
work.
How dye do?' said the stranger, as
Peter laid aside the slat which he had
Just finished.
How dye dor returned Peter, in
sort Of uncouth grunt.
That looks like good lumber you're
working there, remarked the visitor.
It's good enough, was the response.
What is such lumber worth hereV
Il don't know and as Peter thus
answered he took another slat and be-
gan TO plane it.
Il suppose you buy some lumber,
sir?' said the stranger.
Il do when | want it, returned
Peter, without looking up from his
work.
Is there any in town to be soldY
They'll tell you at the mill. / don't
saw lumber myself
But you kno~ n the value OF it, re-
marked the stranger, with a slight
touch Of feeling in his tone.
Who told your retorted Peter.
4 supposed, as you were in the habit
of using considerable lumber OF various
kinds, that you would be the proper
one TO ask
We'll, SIR said our grouty builder,
in his uncouth, unkind and ungentle-
manly manner, it so happens that /
have something else TO attend to be-
sides keeping the price Of lumber for
everybody who may want q few
boards
'Ah, yes; didn't know you were 80
busy returned the visitor IN the cold
est and most polite manner imaginable.
Pardon me II have interrupted you.
And with this he left the shop.
Peter Cox had done no more in this
instance than he had done great
many times before; but yet he could
not put IL from his mind 80 easv.
Somehow it clung TO him, and even
after an hour had passed he found him.
self wishing he treated his visitor with
a little more decency. But it was too
late now.
Peter got bis blinds all made, and
then awaited news from Byfield, as II
, was expected that Summer wilkins
would soon make arrangements tC
commence operations. lie felt sure o
the job, a. his friends had seen viii
, kins and recommended him strongly
, IL would be az good ~ three dollars o
day TO him for several months.
D One morning M Peter came out ol
q the street, he heard II remarked that
wilkins had got his hands all en-
: gagged, and would break ground very
soon. II could not be possible
, thought our builder. Surely he woul'
, have had some notice of such move
Half an hour after that he was stand
ing Mt the door Of grocery, when
D man drove up in a carriage, and h'
- came into the store. He bowed u
one or two who stood there, but CAV
Q Peter only cold look. 1t was tn
man who had called TO his shop tw'
weeks before and inquired the price G
lumber He was dressed plainly q
> ever, but he drove splendid horse