Wichita eagle., 1888-07-08
AN OLD PR0VERB

What was it2" asked Fred closing the
book and looking up eagerly His fathers
air Of satisfaction reused bis curiosity
uncle Asa came into my Office today
and he told me that he had fully made up
his mind to take you or Henry into bust
ness with him in June, so do your best to
graduate with honor. dear boy"
But he may take Henry; his chances
are equal to mine"
Il don't think 80. In my opinion you
ere Uncle Asa's choice. and 1t depends on
yourself whether you get the place or
not"
II shall try hard for il. Yes, do think
Uncle Ass is rather partial to me. He Is
always cordial when he meets me-"
He spoke of you in the highest terms
today Your fortune is made if he takes
you into business with him Be careful
what you dc and say in his presence.
''Pu make extra efforts to please him |
wonder if Henry knows anything about
TT III ask him to morrow.
Old Asa Maynard was Mrs. Prices
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 and owned one of
the largest wholesale hardware houses in
the west but he was eccentric and pecu
liar and his relations never quite under
stood him They were always in fear of
offending him, though they knew they
had little to expect from him at bis death.
he having distinctly given them all TO I'M
derstand that he should leave his fortune
to found hospital TOR aged and infirm
men
The day following his confidential dis
closure TO MIR Price, the old merchant
was walking briskly along one of the
principal streets of the town, when,
CHANGING tc glance up. he saw Fred and
Henry at book store window A gener-
ou- impulse seized him. and going up to
the boys be 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 book
Of adventures
I've wanted this so long" he said.
Mr. Maynard's countenance fell Like
great maLy old people, he entertained
very severe ideas about story books. but
be made no remark, and the boy put the
book under his arm
Fred had not been unobservant of the
change in Mr. Maynard g tace. and he saw
4 chance of winning additional favor for
himself at the cost of a trifiing sacrifice
ii will take this book of travels. uncle;
1t looks as If it might prove interesting"
said he
Il commend your choice" said Mr.
Maynard, In a well pleased tone Il am
sorry Henry's taste does not run in the
same direction youth should ever be
striving after self government
Il get all want of history at school"
7
read at home, | 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 bit in nv
opinion profit should always come before
pleasure
Il hope have not offended you. uncle"
Henry said
Not at ell. said the old man. as he
walked away. well pleased at the test he
md made
Fred shall certainly have place in my
store in June, he thought. He has
long head, that is clear
Meanwhile Fred and Henry were look
ing over their books
You know very well you don't care for
travels. You ust wanted to please
Uncle Asa" Henry said
We'll. it's very natural / should. and
perhaps you've lost more than you imagine
by choosing that book"
AT least | was honest in my choice"
said Henry, land you know the old pro-
verb. Honesty is the best policy"
There is such a thing as being too
honest. and you'll find that it doesn't al
ways pay to stick too closely to the old |
proverb.
Perhaps so, but It is too late 10 mend /
matters now. I'll read my book and then .
lend it to you. said Henry. as he walked .
away.
A week later Mr.. Maynard met Fred
one day on his way to school
/ Have you read your book. my lads" he
asked. pleasantly, laying his hand affec-
tionately on Freds shoulder
For one instant Fred hesitated Then
he looked up boldly into the keen gray
eyes and answered in the affirmative
yves 1t interesting1''
Yes, sir. Ii is the best of the kind
aver read. / could hardly lay it down
until 1 had finished it
1t ought TO have been bound better.
1t was cheap book; but III get you q
better one. my boy | like to encourage
taste for solid reading
Il shall be glad TO read anything of the
Kind you may give me- sir
lyon shall have all your mind can di-
gest. said Mr., Maynard, as he went on
bis way
Opposite the residence Of Mr.. Price he
paused and reflected moment. II seemed
70 him that 1t would be only kind for him
70 go In and tell his niece that his de-
rision had been made, and that his choice
had fallen on Fred Why keep them all
In suspense until June? So reasoning. he
pushed the gate open and walked thought
fully Up the path TO the house
The servant who answered his RING told
him that Mrs Price had gone out for
moment, and asked him 70 wait
III wait ten minutes no longer" said
ne; az he stepped into the library
Nj Price was fond of reading. snd the
room was lined with bookcases In one
Of these Mr. Maynard saw the volume Of
graves he had presented to Fred
III see what 4 WAS that proved so Il
teresflns 10 the lad, ne muttered as he
FFS" me look OFT. de opened il and be-
ian TO turn over the leaves. then he sud
denly started back as If he ha., received
blow Impossible" be muttered. as he
sank down in chair. completely over
come There must be some mistake
For several moments he sat thus in deep
thought, the volume resting on his knee
Then. rising he put it back with a sigh
He then picked up his cane and left the
house
"a most fortunate discovery" be nut