Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-02
WORDS OF CHEER.

Judge Parker looked up from his books
and papers to the questioner, stalwart
man about thirty years of age, poor, but
genteel in appearance and respectful in
manner and speech.
Take a chair" said the Judge, polite
ly, motioning 10 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 to ask if you need a
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 see you re busy.
But hope you do, sir; | need work
badly"
You are a stranger in Pixley, are you
not! asked the Judge, leaning back In
his chair.
Partly so. lived here years ago."
Your namer"
John"
''Your surname?"
81 would like you to call me just John,
sir, if you please.
Don you know, my man, that with
holding your name is not a good recon-
lnendarion, and is very likely to make an
unfavorable impression
Il know it, sir; but if you'll only try
me, think you'll find that by 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 a
man refuses to give his name there's al
ways something wrong
There is something wrong, sir-I III be
honest with you--there IS something wrong
with my name, but not with me-not now
could easily give you false name.
Amt the fact that | don't give one some
sign of honesty, and won't you please look
at that as recommendation, sir?"
at is an indication certainly" re-
sponded the Judge Now it just hap
pens that need man about my country
place here; need one badly. Summer is
upon us, bringing "a 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-mow-
ing the lawn, raking, wedding, saving
wood, keeping the grounds in good order,
running errands, and so on. Would you
be willing to do that"
Certainly, sir, John hopefully respon-
ed. I'm be only too glad if you'll try
me.
but you are an able bodied voung fel-
low, who could make at some trade much
more than | could give you for the work
mentioned, and if | mistake not your APP
pearance, you have had higher aims than
this sort of work. :"
That is all true. could make more at
other work, and have have had higher
aims, but you've seen how misfortune
steps III sometimes on our aims. But
I'd be glad to do such work as you said
for the summer, if you will 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 you?"
mot exactly plan, but have reason
for coming to you that d rather not tell,
if you please. It's not wrong purpose,
and | hope you won't refuse me work on
its account.
1T gives rise to unfavorable suspicious,
though. An unusual number of things
are against you. You refuse to give your
name, you seek work plainly beneath your
abilities, wages are unimpnrtant, and
lastly, the work is not your chief oojact.
You must certainly be aware that these
would be good grounds for Turning you
awav."
81 am aware of that, sir, and was
afraid that when | came to you ! would
appear in bad light; but concluded to
be honest about it, anyhow. Try me,
though, sir; you'll never regret it. |
want the place sorely; more than | dare
tell. I'm in distress. | have nothing
else to say. My appearance is my only
If that won't do | must
90"
He looked pleadingly at the jedge, who
rising. came from behind the desk, and
standing close to the applicant, SAID
well. John, let me tell you that your
candor and evident truthfulness have i'm
pressed rue very strongly in your favor,
despite the appearances against yon. II
trv Won for a month. but you must not
complain if you are denied certain privil-
eyes that would be accorded to a man
who has proven himself trustworthy. or 1t
yonr actions are more closely watched.
I've seen those consequences, sir, and
it's all right They are not to be expected
under the circumstances, and won com
plain. Do as you please with me till you
feel that can be trusted. Show me the
work at once sir, if you can. couldn t
find words to thank you, sir, even If you
had time to hear them. My work must
show you how grateful i All. D0IffIiiftg;
a broad-brimmed straw hat, Judge
Parker conducted the new man out over
his spacious estate, indicating what work
would be expected of him, and set HIM
to do some wedding at a spot IN sight OF
his study windows. ,,
he then returned to his papers and
books. but as the afternoon wore on, he
cast, frequent chances at John. 1t was plain
that he had become interested IN the man
whose history had been so candidly and
honestly withheld. He could not tathom
the mystery with which the. applicant
chose to envelope himself, but he trusted
that his purposes were honorable, though
he was somewhat suspicious.
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