Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-08-30
JOHN

"Takea chair" said the judge, politely,
motioning to one near him.
"No, thank you, sir; prefer to stand
if you please This door was open and l
made bold to walk in. l knocked several
times on the door frame, but you didn't
hear me. | came just to ask if you need
man to do any sort of work about your
place? If you do not I'll not take up any
more of your time, as l see you're busy.
But | hope you do. sir; l need work
badly"
"You are stranger in Pixley, are you
not?' asked the judge, leaning back in
his chair.
Partly So lived here years ago."
"Your name?"
"Call me John"
"Your surnameP"
II would like you to call me just John,
sir, if you please"
Don't you know, my man, that with
holding your name is not good recon-
mendation, and very likely to make an
unfavorable impression?"
II know it. sir, but if you'll only try
me, think you'll find that my faithful
ness and desire to do everything right
will make up for the rest of my name"
Something about the mans bearing
and appearance strongly impressed Judge
Parker. inspiring desire to know more
of him. and he said:
"Well, I'll tell you candidly that like
your appearance and manner, but when
man refuses to give his name, there's
always something wrong"
"There is something wrong, sir-fll be
honest with you-there is something
not now. l could easily give you a
false name. Isn't the fact that l don't
give one, some sign of honesty, and won't
you please look at that as recommends
ton, sr?"
ut is an indication, certainly" re-
sponded the Judge. "Now it just hap
pens that l do need a man about my
country place here; need one badly. Sum-
mer is upon us, bringing a great deal of
work to be done about the grounds.
have a man for the stable and horses, so
the new hand would have to do the rough
woodworking the lawn, raking. weed
ing saving wood, keeping the grounds
in order, running errands and SO on.
Would you be willing to do thatY
Certainly, SIR" John hopefully re-
sponded "I'd be only too glad If you'll
try me-"
'But you are an able bodied young fell
low who could make at some trade much
more than l could give you for the work
mentioned, and if l mistake not your APP
pearance, you have had higher aims than
this sort of work."
THAT is all true, sir; l could make
more at other work, and l have had
higher aims, but you've seen how mis-.
fortune steps in sometimes on our aims
But I'd be glad to do such work as you
said for the summer, If you'll only give
me trial"
"What are your terms?"
THAT is not important, sir
"Not important? Why, my man. it is
becoming plain to me that you have some
object other than this work; some plan
which such a position is to subserve
Haven't your
"Not exactly plan, but I have a rea
son for coming to you that I'd rather not
tell, if you please. It's not wrong pur
pose, and hope you won't refuse me the
work on its account"
ut gives rise to unfavorable suspicious
though. An unusual number of things
are against you. You refuse to give you
name, you seek work plainly beneath
your abilities, wages are unimportant
and lastly, the work is not your chief OBJ
ject. You must certainly be aware tina
these would be good grounds for turning
you away"
81 am aware of that, sir, and was afrait
that when came to you that l woul,
appear in bad light, but concluded t,
be honest about it anyhow. Try me
though, sir; you'll not regret it. wan
the place sorely; more than dare tell
I'm in distress I have nothing else t.
say. My appearance is my only recon
mendation. If that won't do must go.
He looked pleadingly at the judge
who rising, came from behind the desk
and standing close to the applicant, said
"Well, John, let me tell you that you
candor and evident truthfulness hav
impressed me very strongly in you
favor, despite the appearance agains
you. I'll try you for month, but 20
must not complain if you are denie
CtTtdlu lTeeuOlu anu privileges liza
would be accorded man who has prove
himself trustworthy, or if your action
are more closely watched"
give seen those consequences, sir, an
it's all right. They are to be expecte
under the circumstances, and l won
complain. Do as you please with NJ
till you feel can be trusted. Show IN
the work at once, sir, if you can.
couldn't find words to thank you, si
even if you had time to hear them. NJ
work must show you how gratefl
lam"
Downing broad brimmed straw ha
Judge Parker conducted the new ma
out over his spacious estate, indicatin
what work would be expected of hin
and set him to do some wedding at
spot in sight of his study windows.
He then returned to his papers an
books, but as the afternoon wore on,
cast frequent glances through the vii