The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-02-05
RECOMMENDING HIMSELF.
Why John Brent Had No Trouble i'm Seiec
ing u Clerk.

Why John Brent Had No Trouble in Select
ing u Clerk.
John Brent was trimming his hedge,
and the ''snip-suip" of his shears was
pleasing sound to his ears. In the rear
of him stretched 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 skinflint, 'I'llwar-
rant" some boy is ready to 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 and expensive; indeed, he
was very particular even about what are
known as The minor appointments OF
dress.
Instead Of being stingy, he was ex-
ceedingly liberal. He was always con-
tributing to benevolent enterprises, and
helping deserving people, often when
they had not asked his help 1901
just beyond the 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 very hand
some tennis racquet" one of them said.
"You paid about seven dollars for 1T,
didn't your
"Only six, Charlie" was the reply.
"Your old one is in prime order yet
What will you take for it?" ...
81 sold it to Willie Robbins for one
dollar and a half" replied Fred.
'Well, now, that was silly" declared
Charlie. sd have given you three dol
lars for it,"
"You are too late" replied Fred. II
have promised it to Willie"
ooh! you only promised it to him, eh?
And he's simply promised to pay for it, l
suppose? III give you three dollars
cash for it,"
II can't do it, Cha rlie."
"You can if you want to. A dollar
and half more isn't to be sneezed at"
"Of course not" admitted Fred land
I'd like to have it, only promised the
racquet to Willie"
| ''But you are not bound to keep your
promise. You are at liberty to take
more for it. Tell him that offered you
Il t,,,n n
settle it"
mo, Charlie" gravely replied the
other boy, that will not settle it
neither with Willie nor with me. lean
not disappoint him. A bargain is a
bargain. The racquet is his, even if il
hasn't been delivered"
"Oh, let him have it," retorted Charlie,
angrily. Erred Fenton, l will not say
that you are chump, but I'll predict
that you'll never make successful bus
mess man. You are too punctilious."
John Brent overheard the converse
ton, and he stepped to gap in the
hedge, in order to get look at the boy
who had such high regard for his word
1.-THE lad has good face, and is made
of the right sort of stuff" was the mill
ionaire's mental comment. "He place!
a proper value upon his integrity, ant
he will succeed in business because hi
is punctilious."
The next day, while he was agar
working on his hedge, John Brent over
heard another conversation. Fred Fen
ton was again participant in it.
Erred, let us go over to the circus lot,
the other boy said. 1.-THE men are put
ting up the tents for the afternoon per
formance."
"No, Joe; I'd rather not" Fred said
"But why?"
son account of the profanity. On
never hears any thing good on such oc
casions, and l would advise you not t
go. My mother would not want me t
60"
Ibid she sag you shouldn't?'
mo, joe"
'"Then, let us &C. You will not be dis
obeying her ORDERS"
"But will be disobeying her scishes,
insisted Fred. ''No, I'll not CO."
"That is another good point in tina
boy" thought John Brent. "a boy VIII
respects his mothers wishes very rarel
goes wrong"
Two months later, John Brent advel
tised for clerk in his factory, and ther
were at least a dozen applicants.
81 can simply take your names an
residences this morning." he said. 81
make inquiries about you, and motif
the one whom conclude to select"
Three of the boys gave their name
and residences.
what is your name?" he asked, as b
glanced at the fourth boy.
Erred Fenton, sir" was the reply.
John Brent remembered the name ar
the boy. He looked at him keenly,
pleased smile crossing his face.
"You can stay" he said. 1--WE bee
suited sooner than expected to be
he added, looking at the other DO,
and dismissing them with a wave of h
hand.
. why did you take me?" asked Ere
in surprise. why were inquiries n
necessary in my case? You do not kno
me-"
81 know you better than you think
do" John H.ent said, with significa
smile.
But J offered you no recommend
tons" suggested Fred.