Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-06-25
A Boy who Recommended Himself.

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 q
wide, smoothly-kept, lawn in the
center Of which stood his residence,
n handsome massive modern struc-
ture, 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 skin
flint, I'll warrant" 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 par
ticular even about what are known
as the minor appointments of dress.
Instead of being stingy he was ex-
ceedingly liberal. He was always
contributing to benevolent enter
prises, 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.
" Halloa, Fred! That's a very
handsome tennis racquet" one of
them said. You paid about seven
dollars for it didn't your"
"Only six, Charlie" was the re-
ply.
"Your old one is in prime order
yet. What will you take for it ?"
{" sold it to Willie Robbins for
one dollar and half" replied Fred.
Well, now, that was silly" de-
clared Charlie. I'd have given
you three dollars for it,"
{" You are too late," replied Fred.
have promised it to Willie"
"Oh you only promised ii to him,
eh? And he's simply promised to
pay for it l suppose? I'll give you
three dollars cash for it,"
4" / can't do it, Charlie.n
" You can II you want to. A dol
lar and half moro isn't to be sneezed
at"
"Of course not" admitted Fred {;
and I'd like to have it only l pom
ised 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 another time as much,
and that will settle it,"
"No, Charlie," gravely replied the
other boy, "that will not settle it
neither with Willie nor with me. l
cannot disappoint him. A bargain
is bargain. The racquet is his,
even if it hasn't been delivered"
"Oh, let him have it," retorted
Charlie, angrily. Fred Fenton, I
will not say that you are a chump,
but I'll predict that you'll never
make a successful business man.
You are too punctilious."
John Brent overheard the CONVEX
sation, and he stepped to a gap in the
hedge TO get look at the boy who
had such high regard for his word.
"The lad has a good face, and is
made of the right sort of stuff" was
the milliOnaire's mental comment.
"He places the proper value upon
his integrity, and he will succeed in
business because he is punctilious."
The next day while he was work
ing on his hedge, John Brent over
heard another conversation. Fred
FentOn was again participant in
it.
" Fred, let us go over to the circus
lot" the other boy said. "The men
are putting up the tents for the after
noon performances"
"No, Joe I'd rather not" Fred
said.
"But why?"
"On account of the profanity.
One never hears anything good on
such occasions, and / would advise
you not to go. My mother would
not want me to go.
Ibid she sag you shouldn't?"
"No, joe"
Then let us go. You will not be
disobeying her orders.'
"But | will be disobeying her
'oishes," 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 adj
vertised for clerk in his factory,
and there were at least dozen ap.
plicants.
90 1 can simply take your names
and residences this morning." he
said. "I'll make inquiries about
you, and notify the one whom con.
clude to select"
Three Of the boys gave their names
and residences.
"What Is your name 2" he asked
as he glanced at the fourth boy.