The Brookhaven leader., 1884-02-07
AN OLD PROyERB.

Fred" said Mr. Pierce, as he came
into the sitting-roo one evening and
found his son reading in the twilight,
Il heard something to-day that | think
will please YOU"
"What was it?" asked Fred, closing
his book, and looking up eagerly.
His fathers air of satisfaction reused
his curiosity.
"Uncle Asa came into my office to-
day, and he told me that he had fully
made up his mind to take either you or
Henry into business with him in June.
So do your best to graduate with honor,
my boy
but he may take Henry" said
Fred. His chances are equal to mine,
it seems"
Il don't think So" said Mr.. Pierce.
"In my opinion you are Uncle Asa's
choice. aud it depends on yourself
whether YOU get the place or not"
eyes; do think Uncle Asa is rather
partial TO me. He is always very cor
dial when he meets me-"
"He spoke of you in the highest terms
to-day. Your fortune is made if he
takes you into business with him. Be
careful what you say and do in his pres
encc hereafter"
"Ill make extra efforts to please him,
of course" said Fred. Il wonder if
Henry knows anything about it? I'll
ask him tomorrow.
Old Asa Maynard was Mrs. Pierce's
uncle, and he stood in the same relation
to Henry Hardy's mother, for the two
women were sisters. He was the richest
man in South Auburn, aud owned one
of the largest wholesale hardware houses
in the West.
But he was eccentric and peculiar,
and his relations never exactly under
stood him. They were always in fear
of offending him; though they knew
they had little to expect from him at his
death, he having distinctly given them
all to understand that he should leave
his fortune to found hospital for aged
AMI infrm men.
The day following his confidential dis
closure to Mr.. Pierce, the old merchant
was walking briskly along one of the
principal streets of the town. when,
CHANGING to look up, he saw Fred and
Henry standing before the window of a
book store.
A generous impulse seized him. and,
going up to the boys, he said. kindly:
Let me treat each of you to a
book. Come in and select what suits
you best Henry, you can have the first
choice"
Henry quickly put his hand on a
book of adventures, profusely illus
trated.
"Tve.wanted this for ever so long,"
he said.
Mr.. Maynard's countenance fell.
Like a good many old people he enter
tanned very severe ideas about story
books. But he made no remark, and
Henry put +he book under his arm.
Fred had not been unobservant of the
change in Mr.. Maynard 5 face. and he
saw chance of winning additional fa-
vor for himself at the cost of very tri-
fling sacrifice.
II will take this hook of travels. un-
cle," he said. at looks as if it might
prove interesting
81 commend your choice" said Mr.
MAYNARD, in well-pleased tone. Il
am sorry Henry's taste does not run in
the same direction. A young man
should be ever striving after self-im-
provement.
81 get all want of history at school"
said Henry. "When l have chance
to read at home, l want something a
little more lively than descriptions of
foreign countries, ancient palaces and
tombs of great men,"
Each to his taste, of course" said
Mr.. Maynard, little testify; "but, in
my opinion, profit should come before
pleasure always"
~ hope l have not offended you,
uncle" said Henry.
mot at all" said the old man, as he
walked away, well pleased at the test
he had made.
Fired shall certainly have place in
my store in june" he thought. HE
has a long head-that's clear
Meanwhile, Fred and Henry were
looking over their books.
You know very well that you don't
care for travels, Fred" said Henry.
"You Just wanted to please Uncle Asa. "
"Well, it was very natural should,
and perhaps you've lost more than you
imagine by choosing that book of adj
fcHtuIco.
"At least, Twas honest in my choice," "
said Henry; land you know the old
proverb: Honesty is the best policy "
There's such thing as being too
honest" said Fred; land you'll find
that it doesn't always pay to stick too
closely to that old proverb."
"Perhaps so; but it is too late to
mend matters now. I'll read my book
and then lend it to you," said Henry,
as he walked away.
A week later, Mr.. Raymond met
Fred one morning on his way to school.
"Have you read your book, my lad?"
he asked. pleasantly, laying his hand
affectionately on the boys shoulder.
For one instant Fred hesitated. Then
he looked up boldly into the keen, gray
eyes searching his face, and answered
in the affirmative.
'.Did you find it Interestingly"
"Yes, SIR" replied Fred. "lt is the
best one of the kind ever read. Icould
hardly lay it down until had finished
It."
ssIt ought to have been bound better.