Iron County register., 1890-01-30
RECOMMENDING HIMSELF.
Why John Brent Had No Trouble in Select
ing Clerk.

Why John Brent Had No Trouble in Select
ing Clerk.
John Brent was trimming his hedge,
and the ''snip-snip" of his shears Was a
pleasing sound to his ears. In the rear
of him stretched wide, smoothly-kept
lawn. in the center of which stood his
residence, 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 sliniint, I'll war
rant" some boy is ready to say.
No, he wasn't. He trimmed his own
hedge for recreation. as he was a 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.
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 it,
didn't you?"
only six. Charlie" was the reply
Your old one is in prime order yet.
What will you take for it?''
Il sold it to Willie Robbins for one
dollar and half" replied Fred.
We'll, now, that was silly" declared
Charlie I'd have given you three dol
lars for it.
You are too late" replied Fred. Il
have promised it to Willie.'
..Oh. YOU only promised it to him, eh?
And he's simply pr0m5Sed to pay for it,
suppose? I'll give you three dollars
cash for it
Il can't do it, Charlie"
You can if you want to. a dollar
and a half more isn't to be sneezed at. =
..Of course not" admitted Fred; and
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 l offered you
another time as mach, and that will
settle it,"
No, Charlie" grsvely replied the
other boy, that VIII not settle it
neither with Willie nor with me. lean
not disappoint him. bargain is
bargain. The racquet is his, even If 1t
hasn't been delivered.
s'Oh. let him have it, setorted Charlie,
angrily. Fred Fenton- l will not say
that you are chump, but I'll predict
that you'll never make a successful bus
iness man. You are too punctilious.
John Brent overheard the cOnversa-
ton. and he stepped to a gap in the
hedge. in order to get a look at the boy
who had such a high regard for his word.
The lad has a good face, and is made
of the right sort of stuff was the mill
ionaire's mental comment. "He places
proper value upon his integrity, and
he will succeed in business because he
is punctilious.'
The next dav, while he was again
working on his hedge, John Brent over
heard another conversation. Fred Fen
ton was again a participant in it.
Fred, let Us go over to the circus lot, :"
the other boy said. The men are put
ting up the tents for the afternoon per-
tormance.'
NO. Joe; I'd rather nos," Fred said.
But Why"
"On account of the profanity. One
never hears any thing good on such oc-
-casions. and l would advise you not to
go. NV mother would not want me to
60"
Did she sag you shouldn't?''
''No, joe"
Then. let US &C.. You will not be dis
obeving her orders
But l will be disobeying her actshes, :"
insisted Fred NO. I'll not CO.
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 a dozen applicants.
Il can simply take your names and
residences this morning. he said. III
make inquiries about you, and notify
the one whom l conclude to select"
Three of the boys gave their names
and residences.
glanced at the fourth boy.
Fred Fenton, sir" was the reply.
John Brent remembered the name and
the boy. He looked at him keenly, a
pleased smile crossing his face.
You can stay" he said. I've been
suited sooner than l expected to be"
he added, looking at the other boys
and dismissing them with a wave of his
hand.
why did you take me?" asked Fred,
in surprise. why were inquiries not
necessary in my case? You do not know
me-
Il know you better than you think /
do" John Brent said, with significant
smile.
But l offered you no recommenda-
tions.'' suggested Fred.
My boy, it WASH necessary" replied
John Brent. 4 overheard you recon-
mend yourself"
But. as he felt disposed to enlighten
Fred he told him about the two con-
versations he had overheard.
Now. boys, this is true story. and
there is a moral in it. You are more
frequently observed. and heard and
overheard, than you are aware of. Your
elders have habit of making an esti-
mate of your mental and moral worth.
You can not keep late hours, lounge on
the corners, visit low places of amuse-
ment, smoke cigarettes and chaff boys
who are better than you are, without
older people making note of your bad