Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-06-23
AN OLD PR0VERB

the sitting room one evening and found
his son reading in the twilight, Il heard
sonnet thing today that will please you"
What was itY'' asked Fred. closing the
book and looking up eagerly His fathers
air of satisfaction reused his 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 busi
ness with him in June. so do your best to
graduate with homer. dear boy"
But he may take Henry; his chances
are equal to mine.
IL don't think so In my opinion you
are Uncle Asa choice. and II depends on
yourself whether you get the place or
not"
Il shall try hard for it. Yes. do think
Uncle Asa 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
Ill make extra efforts to please him |
wonder If Henry knows anything about
itf Ill ask him to morrow
| Old Asa Maynard was Mrs. Prices
uncle. and he stood in the same relation
| @ Henry Hardy's mother. for the two
| women were sisters He was the richest
man in South Auburn. and owned one Of
tie 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
| hao little TO expect from him at his death,
he having distinctly given them all to un
derstand that he should leave his fortune
10 found q hospital for aged and infirm
men.
The day following his confidential dis
closure to Mr.. Price, the old merchant
| was walking briskly along one of the
principal streets of the town. when.
CHANGING &c glance up. he saw Fred and
Henry at book store window A gener
Gus impulse seized him, and going up to
the boys he said kindly.
Let me treat each Of you to a book
Came 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
a great many old people, he entertained
very severe ideas shout story books but
be made no remark. and the boy put the
book under his arm
Fred had not been unobseryant Of the
change in Mr. Maynard's face, and he saw
a chance of winning additional favor for
himself at the cost of a tritiinp sacrifice
Il will take this book of travels. uncle,
Il looks as IL il might prove interesting,
said he
Il commend your choice" said Mr.
Maynard. in a well pleased tone Il am
n Al
same direction A youth should ever be
striving after self government.
Il get all want of history at school. :"
said Henry when | have chance to
read at home, | want something a little
more lively than descriptions Of foreign
countries. ancient palaces and tombs OF
Each to his taste. of course" sS5d Mr.
Maynard, a little testify: but in my
opinion. profit should always come before
pleasure"
Il hope have not offended you, uncle,
Henry said
Not at all said the old man. as he
walked away. well pleased at the test he
had made.
Fred shall certainly have a place In my
store In June" he thought. ''He has a
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 Just wanted to please
Uncle Asa" Henry said
well. it's very natural should, and
perhaps you We lost more than you imagine
ty 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 1t doesn't al
ways nav 10 stick too closely to the old
proverb-
.'perhaps so; but II Is too late TO mend
matters now III read nv book and then
lend il to you," said Henry, as he walked
away
week later Mr. MAYNARD met Fred
one day on his way to school
Have Won read your book nv lad?" he
asked. pleasantly. LAYING his hand affec.
tionatciy OF Fred's shoulder.
For ore instant Fred hesitated Then
he looked mn boldly into the keen gray
ewes and answered in the Affirmative.
WAS Il interestingY
Yes. sir II is the best of the kind
ever read | could hardly Law 1t down
until lad finished IT..
1T ought to have been bound better
1t was q cheap book; but I'll get you q
better one. my boy like to encourage
a taste for solid reading"
81 sha, be glad TO read anything of the
kind you may give me. sir.
You shall have all your mind can di
gest. said AIR. Maynard. as he went on
his way.
Opposite the residence Of Mr.. Price he
paused and reflected moment 1t seemed
to him that j. would be only kind for him
to go in ard tell his niece that his de-
cision had been made. and that his choice
had fallen on Fred Why keep them all
in suspense un:il Juner 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 p0ne ont for a