The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-10-20

book for me until I'm OF age" and
other like pieces of lazy good-nature.
John Earling, however, with all his
liking for him, assaulted him savagely
by times for his lack of earnestncss.
you're worthless" he would say.
"Why don't you study" But his blue
eyed friend would only laugh and look
at him reproachfully. John" he
would say, "you forget my poor diges-
tionr' and there it would end. Many
things displeased John Earling in the
commercial workings of the place; but
he was good at holding his tongue. and
two years elapsed without a jar. The
ways OF Joel were many and curious,
but as he minated. they were "busi-
ness" and went unquestioned. Many
were the prices made, and little snares
and bats and bargains laid for the
verdant and unwary. That which did
not come easily to hand must need be
hooked with a line quite long enough
to land it. Not that much there perpe-
trated was in the common sense dis
honest, for trade in these accelerated
days is of startling width, if not in
deed at some points of appalling lah-
tude, but Joels employees were tacitly
instructed that shrewdness was always
requisite, and the successful netting OF
the spoil the prime consideration.
Much of this to Earnings scrupulous
spirit was quite revolving; seemingly
not because he was simple, for he was
a strong hater of many things, but
mainly for the reason that nature had
filled him with instructive inclinations
to be Just. He could not by indirection
take advantage in the least without
forgetting his own gain by seeing that
the other was deceived. Hence
his business mode collided oft
with Joeps law, and would
have gotten him trouble and expulsion
! in the end had not his fine sincerity and
fairness had its way with all. Joel
watched him narrowly at first, and oc-
casionally would throw sort of pro-
test in his way. "But," he would
say, you're too fair. You'll break me
upr' But John Earring smiled and
kept his counsel and continued honest
In his ways. Then Joel fell to figur-
ing covertly the profits on each sales
man day by day as indicated by their
sales, and ended by throwing his
figures from him with a growl. "He
couldn't do it if he wasn't so internal
smart" was what he said, and after
that was silent. But John Earring
| was far from being satisfied; he felt
these conditions chafe him something
like a chain, and fain would have freed
himself but that the iron bond of duty
stuck him to his task religiously. He
brooded over this enigma, and its
perplexing shapes and shadows.
again and yet again. 1t
seemed to him that the whole
field of life was tainted; that this state
called civilization, so paraded and re-
vered, was filed with greedy tendencies
and vile demands. Throug h bis whole
life the flaws within hiuself. and the
little wrongs and shams and spots
among the spirits of his fellows,
seemed clear and vivid to him. Not
that evil as commonly set down APP
pealed much to him, for neither by cx-
ample nor by precept had he been much
wrought upon, but mainly for the rea-
son that his moral lens was large, his
sense of justice delicate and keen, and
that nature in happy mood had fash
Toned him less peccable than some.
Thus it fell out that we'll upon the
close of John Earnings second year of
service, q certain salesman being APP
pretended in theft that, unluckily for
him, was off the wiley Joel i'll the pub
lies stead. John Earring went into his
employers Office white with rage.
'four system of BUSINESS" he said,
with clinched fists, would make an
angel thief. How do you expect a
man to be honest with ycu when you
insist that he shall be dishonest with
other men? Is it honor among thieves
that you rely on to protect YOURSELF
It's an outrage! It's an outraged
Joel wheeled around in his chair with
a deal of color in his face; strange
heat seemed to sweep over the still
book-kceper, for he ceased writing and
a perspiration broke out upon his
brow. John Earnings eyes blazed
against Joel's; it was-to some people
an uncomfortable trait-John Earling's
habit to look straight into the eyes of
those with whom he had to do, and he
had never been known to pluck any
one aside to whisper to them, for the
reason, doubtless, that he never seemed
to have any secrets, or to be conscious
of any reason why he should not look
directly at people and say very audibly
what he had to say.
"Why, you young rooster" blurted
Joel, "what's the matter with you?"
1.-The matter is not with me, sir; the
matter lies with this young man who
came in here an honest boy and has
gone outa thief!' cried John Earling, in
his passion. 1t seemed to him more
exquisite injustice was never perpe-
trated. He fairly suffered with the
wrong and disgrace that had fallen on
his fellow salesman.
"What have I got to do with his be-
ing a thief" snorted Joel.
Every thing; he came in here hon
est, and by following your methods
and instructions he's to-day in irons
and disgrace; you corrupted him! you
corrupted him! may be you didn't see
it; may be you didn't mean it, but O,
you corrupted him!'
II didn't"
"Your system did! Hasn't he stolen
for five years for you? Did you expect
that he would never steal from you?
How could he be honest? Your store is
full of thieves! You know it! Any
other business conducted on the prin-
ciple of yours is clearinghouse of