The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-11-29
THE BOY WAS HONEST.
And lie Didn't Want to Re Promoted to
a Duty That Was Not So.

In a quiet, peaceful little city in Wis
consin great brass foundry is located.
The owner of the works, in private life,
is one of those cod. fanatical Christians
of the kind the Puritan fathers found
spiritual joy-in being. He is rich, a
millionaire many times over, and his
greatest personal happiness is in his
Christian zeal, says the n. Y. CONNER
ciai AdUertiSer
Among his many employees is beau
tiful type of boyhood. The youth is
barely 49, his cheeks are aglow with
health, his eyes are brilliant with the
freshness of regular living and his
graceful, slender figure as straight az a
reed. His life has been extraordinarily
pure. He enjoys life, but in such a
strangely moral way that those inclined
to cynicism have been mystitied by the
strange boy. 1t is too good to be true,
they argued, but not even the closest
scrutiny of the boys waking or sleep
ing moments revealed aught but the
even, perfect life he led.
The manufacturer had this beautiful
type of youth near him continually.
Almost an ascetic himself, he was
pleased to have near by one on whom
he could look without that inevitable
aversion that is conjured by the sight
of the average youth who is injured in
vice, experienced in depravity and be-
smirched in soul.
The man learned to love the boy, but
so severe was that love that the boy
knew nothing of it and continued his
life, deeming himself unnoticed
One day the boy was advanced. His
position had been in the office and now
he was placed in the weighing house,
where his responsibilities were greater
and his salary was few dollars
month more than it had been.
The manufacturer was shrewd. sue
cessful business man. He shippe1thou.
sands of tons of his product yearly and
through one of these tricks or advan-
tages was able to materially increase
his profits. When ton of metal was
shipped it was billed to the railroads
from 400 to 800 pounds less than its
actual weight. There never was an in
vestigation, the practice had been fol-
lowed for years and the profits were
considerable
And it was of this work the boy was
put in charge. He worked faithfully
all day and learned the routine of the
office. The next morning he stepped
into the manufacturer office and re-
spectfully said:
Mr.. --, | would like to go back to
my desk, if you pleased"
why, my boy" exclaimed the man.
ufacturer in surprise. "What is the
matter with the new work."
1T is very pleasant, sir, but | am re-
quired to make false statements and |
would prefer my other work"
There was no hesitation, no apollo
gies, nothing but ghtforward,
honest explanation. The manufacturer
was astonished. For years had he. an
tenanced this thing. and now to have
his dishonesty shown him by his protege
almost took away his breath
Mastering his emotion, he babe the
boy 90 back to his old desk The boy
did so and thought no more of it.
A day or so later the boy was sum-
moned by the manufacturer.
so you think it is dishonest to ship
as we do?"
yes, sir"
But the railroads overlook it."
THAT doesn't make it the more hon
est, persisted the youth.
well, my boy, I've carefully thought
it over and decided that you may take
charge of the weighing department"
The boys face lighted up.
and make honest statements!" he
asked.
Eyes y siunlv renlied the p,onufac+