Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-07-18
ALTOGETHER TOO 'SMART."


ALTOGETHER TOO ''SMART."
| What Jack Lost Because of His Impo-
likeness.
A few mornings since. while wait
ing at the station of large country
town, witnessed a little incident that
l think will interest the readers Of
Our Young People.
The ticket agent had gone to break
fast, leaving the Office in charge of
bright-looking boy of fourteen OF
fifteen. The boy was reading what
ing book. judging from the reluctant
manner in which he laid it aside to
wait on passengers.
Shortly after my arrival, an old lady,
oddly dressed, and evidently not ac-
customed to travelling, came in. and
after depositing her bundles and pro-
curing her ticket, inquired civilly Of
the office boy:
What time is the up train due?'
Theirs a time table on the wall be-
hind you" was the surly answer.
~ Ou can't read, l reckon"
Without a word the old woman put
on her glasses and after a long search
gained the information he might have
given her in less time than it had
taken to give his ungracious answer.
'.7:33, 1888. 1t must be that time
now,' she soliloquized. Young man,
would you please to tell me what time
it is?" she, asked, timidly, glancing at
the boy again.
why don't you look at the clockp'''
sneered the smart lad. "My business.
is to sell tickets, not to answer ques--
tions.''
An old gentleman, very plainly
dressed, who had been sitting in a cor
ner with his, hat pulled over his eyes.
looked up quickly when he heard the
boys impolite response; but he said
nothing, and after the lapse of a few
minutes sauntered slowly across the
room to the ticket window.
What is, your name, my boy?" he
asked, kindly, aster nodding intelli--
gently to the telegrapher.
II do not know that it is any of your
business; but you have fortune to-
leave you can just name Dick Morton's@
kid. Jack. and.it will be all o. X"
Your father ought to be proud of
such promising boy" returned the
gentleman, drylY. as Mr.. johnson
IMP" he asked. a, little sharply.
''You can find out by making use of
your eyes, 1. guess" said the boy.
o.lo ,,nHovp fohInc on6
benches.apparently very much amused
just then another boy came in with
some papers for the agent, and hiss
smart friend said, loud enough to be
heard all over'the waiting-reom:
Here, Enedi don't go away till
johnson comes. Attend to the tickets
if any are wanted have been bored.
to death answering questions. and l!
want to ,finishthis book before the boss
gets round"
The new conner quitely hung up, his,
hat and coat, and went to wait upon,
some ladies wh. were standing at: the
window.
A few minutes later the old gentle
man asked somewhat sharply:
what time,is the train due, Bhb?"'
"7:3S,' was the prompt answer.
'.And what time is it now?" de-
mandedthe same impatient voice that.
had spoken before.
1T is just fifteen minutes past
.seven," replied the boy, cheerfully.
..Ape,'' sneered smart Jack. why
don't you bluff him Off"
What is your namep" persisted the
old man.. stepping up little closer.
''Eredi Myers responded the: boy,
politely.
lis the, boss in?n was the next in
quiry, in a much lower tone.
mo, sir: He has gone to,his.break-
FAST. but will be back in, a, few min
utes," was the quiet answer.
''Seeing your master is not ib,.. can't
you give me cut rates to Wheeling?
Pill see that you are not foundi onb F"
My Master is always in." was the
boys quick reply.
Just then Mr.. johnson. the agent,
came in and addressed the, plain look.
ing stranger as Mr.. Hays, and the
boys both knew that the. superintend.
ent of the railroad hadbeen talking to.
them, and before they had recovered
trom their confusion, they heard hims
say: '.Mr. Knox. your telegraph OPP
orator, has been appointed to take,
cha rye of an Office in the city, and L
came down to Look after suitable boy
to take his place here. Remembering
the information you gave me some
time ago, had made up my mind con-
corning whom his successor should be,
but after what have Witnessed this
morning. have come to the eonclu>
sion that Dick Morton's kid, Jack, is
entirely too saaart for our use, and
that this boy, whose Master Is always
in, can be trusted to take change of the
responsible position"
Smart Jack tried to mubter an ex.,
cuse for his impoliteness when he re.
allied what he had lost. bat the indig.
nant superintendent coolly informed
him that his roughness toward passen-
gers could not be tolerated. and that
he must seek other employment unit,
he learned to apply the small cour-
tesies OF life.-Belle V, CHISHOLM, in
Our Young People.