Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-02-27
RECOMMENDING HIMSELF.
why John Brent HAD No Trouble in select
ing a Clerk.


pleasing sound TO his ears. In The rear
Of him stretched a wide. smoothly-kept
lawn, in the center OF which stood his
residence a handsome, massive modern
structure. which had cost him not less
than ninety thousand dollars,
The owner of it was the man who. in
shabby attire, was trimming his hedge.
"A close, stingy old skinaint. 'I'llwar-
rant, some boy is ready 70 say.
No he wasn't. He trimmed his own
hedge for recreation. as he was man Of
sedentary habits. His shabby clothes
were his working clothes while those
which he wore ON other occasions were
both neat ana expensive: indeed, he
was very particular about what are
known as Che minor appointments Of
dress
Instead Of being stingy, he was ex-
ceedingly liberal He was always con-
tributing 10 benevolent enterprises, and
helping deserving people, often when
they had not asked his help
just beyond tie hedge was the public
sidewalk, and two boys stopped opposite
to where he was at work he on one side
OF the hedge and they on the other.
"Helloa, Fred! That's a very hand
some tennis racquet one of them said.
.You paid about seven dollars for it,
didn't YOU
only six. Charlie. was the reply.
Your old one is in prime order yet,
What will sou take for it,"
II sold il to Willie Robbins for one
j 1...5...,1 l-.a "a .na1
well, now, that was silly declared
Charlie ia have given you three dol
lars for it.
You are TOO late replied Fred. 81
have promised it TO Willie.
Oh, You only promised il 70 him, Ell?
And he's simply promised to pay FOR it, !
suppose? III give you three dollars
cash for IL
Il can't do it, Charlie"
"You can il You want to. A dollar
and a ma f more isn't to be sneezed q,
"Of course not. admitted Fred; ar
I'd like to have IL only / promised the
racquet to Willie
but you are not bound to keep your
promise You arc at liberty to take
more for il. Tell him that ! offered you
another tilhe as much, and that will
settle it.
No, Charlie, gravely replied the
other boy. that win net settle it,
neither with Willie nor with me. lean
not disappoint him. 4 bargain is a
bargain. The racquet is his even if it
hasn't been delivered
ooh. let him have it, retorted Charlie,
angrily Fred Fenton, viii not say
that you are a chump but IN predict
that you'll never make a successful bus
mess man. You are too punetilious.
John Brent overheard the CONVERSE
ton, and he stepped to a gap in the
hedge, in order to get look at the boy
who had such a high regard for his word.
The lad has good face and is made
of the right sort Of stuff. was the mill
ionaire's mental comment. '.lle places
proper value upon his integrity, and
he will succeed N business because he
Is punctilious.
The next day while ne was again
working on his hedge, John Brent over
heard another conversation. Fred Fem
ton was again participant in it.
Fred, let us 20 over to the circus lot,
the other boy said. The men are put
ting up the tents for the afternoon per-
| Torrance,
no, Joe; I'd rather not, Fred said.
But Why"
"On account OF the profanity. One
never hears any thing good on such CO.
casions, and | would advise you not to
go. My mother would not want me to
go"
did She soy you shouldn't2"
No, Joe.
Then, let us &c. You will not be dis
obeying her orders
but / will be disobeying her cctshes,"
insisted Fred No III not 60"
THAT is another good point in that
boy, " thought John Brent. "A boy who
respects his mothers wishes very rarely
goes wrong
Two months later, John Brent adver-
tised for a clerk in his factory, and there
were at least dozen applicants.
Il can simply take your names and
residences this morning, he said. iii
make inquiries about you, and notify
the one whom conclude TO select
Three Of the boys gave their names
and residences.
What is y00r nance" he asked, as he
glanced at the fourth boy.
Fred Fcnton, sir. " was the reply.
John Brent remembered the name and
the boy He looked at him keenly,
pleased smile crossing his face