Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-12-06
THE OLD PROVERB.
Philadelphia Call.

Philadelphia Call.
Erred" said Mr.. Price, as he came in
70 the sitting room one evening and
found his son reading in the twilight, 81
heard something today that will please
you"
"What was it?" asked Fred, closing
the book and looking up eagerly. His
fathers air of satisfaction reused his GU
riosity.
ssUncle Asa came into my office to-
day and he told me that he had fully
made up his mind to take you or Henry
into business 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"
81 don't think so. In my opinion you
are Uncle Asa's choice, and it depends
on yourself whether you get the place or
not"
81 shall try hard for it, Yes, 1 do
think Uncle Aso is rather partial to
me. He is always cordial 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 do and say in his
presence"
"I'n make extra efforts to please him.
1 wonder if Henry knows anything
about it? I'll ask him tomorrow"
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 rich
man in South Auburn, and owned one
of the largest wholesale hardware houses
in the West; but he was eccentric and
peculiar and his relations never quite
understood 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 to understand that he should leave
his fortune to found a hospital for aged
and infirm men.
The day following his confidential
disclosure to Mr.. Price, the old mer-
chant was walking briskly along one of
the principal streets of the town, when
CHANGING to glance up he saw Fred and
Henry at book store window. A gen.
erous impulse seized him, and going up
to the boys he said kindly:
"Let me treat each of you to 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
a great many old people, he entertained
very severe ideas about story books, but
he made no remark, and the boy put
the book under his arm.
Fred had not been unobservant of the
change in Mr.. Maynard's face, and he
saw a chance of winning additional fav-
or for himself at the cost of a trifling
sacrifice.
81 will take this book of travels, un-
Gle; it looks as if it might prove inter
esting," said he.
81 commend your choice" said Mr..
Maynard, in a well pleased tone. 81 am
sorry Henry's taste does not run in the
same direction. A youth should ever
be striving after self government"
81 get all l want of history at school,, -
said Henry. "When 1 have a chance to
read at home, want something a little
more lively than descriptions of foreign
countries, ancient places, and tombs of
great men,"
"Each to his taste, of course" said
Mr.. Maynard, little testify, "but in my
opinion profit should always come be-
fore pleasure"
81 hope have not offended you, un-
Gle" Henry said.
''Not at al" )" said the old man, as he
walked away, well pleased with the test
he had made.
Erred shall certainly have a 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 just wanted to please
Uncle Asa" Henry said.
"Well, it's very natural 1 should; and
perhaps you have lost more than you
imagine by choosing that book"
"At least was honest in my choice"
said Henry, "and you know the old
proverb, Honesty is the best policy"
''There is such 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 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.. Maynard met Fred
one day on his way to school.
"Have you read your book, my lad?"
he asked, pleasantly, laying his hand af-
fectionately on Fred's shoulder.
For one instant Fred heSitated. Then
he looked up boldly into the keen gray
eyes and answered in the affirmative.
"Was it interesting?"
"Yes, sir. 1t is the best of the kind l
ever read. Icould hardly lay it down
until l had finished it."
at ought to have been bound better.
1t was cheap book; but I'll get you a
better one, my boy. like to encourage
a taste for solid reading"
81 shall be glad to read anything of
the kind you may give me, sir"
"You shall have all your mind can
digest" said Mr.. Maynard, as he went
on his way.
Opposite the residence of Mr.. Price
he paused and reflected for moment.
1t seemed to him that it would be only
kind for him to go in and tell his neice
that his decision 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 thoughtfully up the path to
the house.
The servant who answered his ring