The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-08-27

RECOMMENDED HIMSELF.
This Boy Was Made of the Right
Kind of Stuff

/ This Boy Was Made of the Right
Kind of Stuff.
John Brent was trimming his hedge
| and the 'tsnip, snip Of his shears was
a 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 mas
sive, modern structure, which had cost
him not less than $4,000.
The owner Of it was the man who, in
shabby attire, was trimming his hedge.
"a close, stingy old skinfint. I'll war
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 &C.
casions 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
w uCu Uu6J udCl uOL dSkcu uClp.
! Just beyond the hedge was the pub
lie sidewalk, and two boys stopped op-
posite to where he was at work, he on
one side of the hedge, and they on the
other.
"Hallo, Fred! That's a very hand
some tennis racket" one of them said {;
''you paid about 81 for it, didn't you?'
"Only ST. 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
$780," replied Fred.
''Well, now, that was silly" de-
clared Charlie. "Pd have given you
So for it,"
"Your are too late,' replied Fred. 81
have promised it to Willie"
"Oh! you only promised it to him,
Ell? And he's simply promised to pay
for it, I suppose? I'll give you So cash
for it,
II can't do it, CHARLIE
you can If you want to. A dollar
and half more isn't to be sneezed att
''Of. course not" admitted Fred; "and
I'd like to have it, only promised the
racket to Willie"
"But you are not bound to keep your
promise. You are at liberty to take
more for it. Tell him that I offered
you twice as much, and that will settle
"No, CHARLIE" gravely replied the
other boy, that will not settle it
| neither with Willie nor me. I cannot
disappoint him. A bargain is bar
gain. The racket is his. even if it
hasn't been delivered.''
ooh, let him have it," retorted
Charlie, angrily. "Fred Fenton, will
| not say that you are a chump, but I'll
| predict that you'll never make a sue
cessful business man. You are too
punctilious."
John Brent overheard the conversa-
hedge, in order to get 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 millionaires mental comment.
| He places a prope" value upon his in
tegrity, and he will succeed in bust
ness, because he is punctilious.'
! The next day, while he was again
! working on his hedge John Brent over
| heard another conversation. Fred
| Fenton was again participant in it.
Erred, let's go over to the circus lot,"
| the other boy said. "The men are put
! ting up the tents for the afternoon per-
| formance."
mo, Joe; I'd rather not" Fred said.
"But why?'
ION account Of the profanity. One
never hears any thing good on such oc-
casions, and I would advise you not
to go. My mother would not want me
to CO."
Did she say you shouldn't?"
"No, joe"
''Then let us go. You will not be
disobeying her orders.''
"But I will be disobeying her
Wishes" insisted Fred. "No, I'll not
co."
"rhat 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 clerk in his factory, and
there were at least dozen applicants.
| I can simply take your names and
residences this morning." he said.
''I'll make inquiries about you and no
| tify the one whom conclude TO Sc
lect"
Three Of the boys gave their names
and residences. .-.. IT
"What is your name?" he asked, as
he glanced at the fourth boy.
"Fred Fenton, SIR" was the reply.
| John Brent remembered the name
and the boy. He loked at him keenly,
1 pleased smile crossing his face
"You may stay" he said. give been
suited sooner than 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-
II know you better than you think I
do" John Brent said, with significant
smile.
"But I offered you no recommends
lions, suggested Fred.
"My boy, it. wasn't necessary" re-
piled John Brent. Il overheard you
recommend yourself
! But as he felt disposed to enlighten
J Fred, he told him about the two con-
Ir'ersations he had overheard.
Now boys, this is true story, and
there is a moral in it. You are more