The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-14
A Boy who Recommended AimseI'


A Boy who Recommended Himself
John Brent was trimming his hedge
and the "snip, snip" of his shears was
q pleasing sound to his ears. In the
rear of him stretched wide, smoothly
kept lawn, in the center or winch
stood his residence, handsome mas, mas,
sive, modern structive, which haG coS'
him rot less than ninety thousand doi'
lars. -,
The owner of it was the man who
in shabby attire, was trimming nis
hedge. IA close, stingy old skinf1int
I,ll Warrant" some boy is ready 10 say
No. he wasn't. He trimmed bis
own hedge for recreation, as he was
man of sedentary habits. His shaoby
clothes were his working clothes, whlle
those which he wore on other occa'
sions were both neat and expensive
indeed, he was very particular, even
about his dress.
Instead of being stingy, he was ex'
ceedingly liberal. He was always con
tributing to benevolent enterprises ant
helping deserving people, often when
thew had not asked his help.
Just beyond the hedge was q puoll(
sidewalk and two boys stopped oppo
site to where he was at work, he on one
side of the hedge, and they on the
other. =,
"Hello, 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|'.
II 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" Ieplled Fred
81 have promised it to WILLIE
"Oh, you only promised 1t to him
eh And he's simply promised to pay
for it, 1 suppose? I'll give you three
dollars cash for it,"
81 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 I prom
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. ]
cannot disappoint him. A bargain is
a bargain. The racquet is his, even il
it hasn't been delivered"
"Oh, let him have it," retorted
Charlie, angrily. "You are too par
ticular."
John Brent overheard the conversa-
ton, and he stepped to gap in the
hedge in order to get look at the
boy who had such high regard for
his word.
"rhe lad has good face, and is
made of the right sort of stuff" was
the millionaire's mental comment.
HE places proper value upon his in
tegrity, and he will succeed in business
because he is particular"
"The next day while he was again
working on his hedge, John Brent
overheard another conversation. Fred
Fenton again took part in it.
"Fred, let US 20 over to the circus
lot," the other boy said. 1.-The men
are putting up the tents"
"No, Joe; I'd rather not" Fred
said.
"But why?"
"On account of the profanity. One
never hears anything good in such
places, and I would advise you not to
90. My mother would not want me
to 60"
"Did she say you shouldn't"
mo, joe"
"Then let US 60. You will not be
her orders"
"But I will be disobeying her
Wishes" 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 dozen applicants.
II can simply take your names and
this morning." he said. "pll
make inquiries about you, and notify
the one whom conclude to select.
Three of the boys gave their names
and residences.
"What is your name?" he asked, as
he glanced at the fourth boy.
Erred 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. "pve
been suited sooner than I expected to
be." he added, looking at the other
boys and dismissing them with q wave
of his hand.
"Why did you take me?" asked
Fred, in surprise. "Why were in
Iuiries not necessary in my case :?
You do not know me-"
81 know you better than you think
| do," John Brent said, with signi-
ficant smile.
"But I offered you no recommends
tion," suggested Fred.
my boy, it wasn't necessary" re-
piled John Brent. 81 overheard you
recommend YOURSELF" and as he felt
disposed to enlighten Fred, he told
him about the two conversations he
had overheard.
Now, boys, this is true story, and
there is moral in it. You are more
frequently observed and heard and
overheard than you are aware of. Your
elders have a habit of making al esti-
mate of your mental and moral
worth.