The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-09-20
WORDS OF CHEER.
[American Cnltiyator.l

[American Cultivator.l
"Do you need man to work about your
place, sir?"
Judge Parker looked up from his law books
and papers to the questioner, a stalwart man
about thirty years of age, poor, but gentee
In appearance, and respectful In manner and
speech.
stake chair" said the judge, politely.
motioning to one near him.
"No thank you, sir; prefer to stand, if
you please. The door was open and made
bold to walk in. knocked several times,
on the door frame, but you didn't hear me.
came in jus TO ask If you need a man to do
any sort of work about your place? III you
do not, I'll not take up any more OF your
time. as see you are busy. But hope you
do, sir; need work badly"
You are a stranger in Pixley. are You
not?" said the judge, leaning back in his
chair.
Partly so. lived here years ago."
"Your name?"
"John.''
Surname"
ST would like you to call me just John, sir,
If you please"
Don't you know, my man, that withhold
ing your name is not good recommended
ton, and very likely to make an unfavora-
BILE impression?"
81 know it, sir; but If you'll only try me,
think you'll find that my faithfulness 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 Par
ker. inspiring desire to know more of him,
and be said:
"Wel, I'll tell you candidly that like
your appearance and manner, but when a
man refuses to give his name there's always
something wrong"
"There is something wrong. sir, I'll be
honest with you, there is something wrong
with the name, but not with me-not now.
could easily give you false name. Ain'tthe
fact that don't give one some sign OF
honesty, and won't you please look at that
as a recommendation, sir?"
at is an indication, certainly" responded
the Judge. "Now, it just happens that do
need man about my country place here
need one badly. Summer is upon us, bring
ing great deal of work to be done about
the grounds. have man for the stable
and horses, so the new hand would have to
do the rough work, moving the lawn, raking,
wedding, saving wood, keeping the grounds
In good order, running errands and SO on
Would you be willing to do thatP'
Certainly, sir" John hopefully responded
':pll be only too glad If you'll try me-"
"But you are an able-bodied young fellow
who could make at some trade much more
than could give you for the work mentioned
and II mistake not your appearance, you
have had higher aims than this sort of work. "
"That is all true sir. / could make more
at other work, and / have had higher aims
but you've seen how misfortune 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"
mot important? Why, my man, 1t Is be
coming PLAIN to me that you have some 0bJec
other than this work some plan which suci
position is to ,subserye., Haven't your
''Not exactly plan, but have a reason fol
coming to you that I'd rather not tell, II yOl
please. It's not a wrong purpose, and hOpt
you woun't refuse me the work on It's
account"
at gives rise to unfavorable suspicious
though. An unusual number OF things are
against you. You refuse to give your name,
yon seek work plainly beneath your abilities
wages are not important, and, lastly, the
work Is not your object. You must certainly
be aware that these would be good grounds
81 am aware of that, sir, and was afraid
that wheh came to you that would appear
in bad light but concluded to be honest
about it, anyhow. Try me, though. SIR youl
than i dare tell. I'm in distress nave
nothing else to say. My appearance l. M.
only recommendation. If that won't do.
must CO."
He looked pleadingly at the judge, who
rising, came from behind his desk, an
standing close to the applicant said;
swell, John. let me tell you that you
candor and evident truthfulness have I'M
pressed me very strongly In your iavoi
despite the appearances against you. II
try you for a month, but you must not com
plain if you are denied certain privilege
that would be accorded to a man who ha
proven himself trustworthy, or il your action
are more closely watched"
"I'ye seen those consequences, SIR, ana IL
all right. They are to be expected under Tn
circumstances, and ! won't complain. do a
you pleae with me till you feel l can .
trusted. Show me the work at once, sli
you, sir, even If you had time to hear them
am"
Downing a broad-brimmed straw hat
Judge Parker conducted the new man GU
over his large estate, indicating wha
work would be expected Of him, and set hin
to do some wedding at spot in sight of hi
study windows.
He then returned to his papers and book
hut as the afternoon wore on, he cast fire.
Guent chances through the window at John
h was plain that he had become deeply In
terested in the man whose history had bee
az candidly and honestly withheld. II
could not fathom the mystery with whic
The applicant chose to envelop himself, br
he trusted that his purposes were honorabl'
thnneh he was somewhat suspicious.
Judge Parker was q large-hearted maj
widely known and beloved for his genialit
heneyolence and uniform justice. Inc nun
hest citizen. if worthy, might Apply 10 M
for heIp. certain of patient ana IeSponS1a
hearing Knowing that his lDerailty hs
drawn TO him many unworthy suppilalts,, Il
now suspected that John had some ueois
rpon his philanthropy, and accordingly U
lieyed that he needed watching. ,so
But each glance through tbe Wi WIZ
showed John working industriousiy, Win q
earnest vigor and care that cut the shai
edges from his suspicion. II,
And so he worked throughout the tris
month. Faithfulness and a painstaklng II
terest were stamped upon each detail OF ~
work, and many persons commenced TO I'd
Judge upon the the improved appearance
the place.
John was an unusually quiet and unol
trpsive man, He seldom volunteered n