The Monitor-register., 1896-07-10
A Boy Who Recommended Himself.

The owner of it was the man who, in
shabby attire, was trimming his hedge.
"a close, stingy old skinlint, Tll war
rant some boy is ready to say.
No, he wasn't. He trimmed his W
hedge for recreation, as he was a man of
~sedentary habits. His shabby clothes
were his working clothes, while those
| viii oh 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 exceed
ingly liberal. He was always contribu-
ting to benevolent enterprises, and help
ing 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 she ether.
"Halloa, Fred! That's a very hand
some tennis racquet" one of them said.
You paid about seven dollars for it,
didn't youP"
"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 a hall" replied Fred.
swell, now, that was silly" declared
Charlie. "Id have given you three
dollars for it."
"You are too late," replied Fred. 81
have promised it to Willie"
"Oh! you only promised i to him, Ell ?
And hos simply promised to pay for it, l
suppose? I'll give you three dollars cash
for it."
Il can't do it, Charlie"
You can If you want to. 4 dollar
and a half more isn't to be sneezed at"
'Of course not, admitted Fred; "apd
I'd like to have it only 1 promised the
racquet to Willie"
"But you are uot bound to Keep your
promise. Your are at liberty to take
more for it. Tell him that l offered you
twice as much aud that will settle it."
mo. Charlie" gravsly replied the
other boy, shat will not settle it
neither with Willie nor with ne. 1 can
not disappoint him. A bargain is a bar.
gain. The racquet is HIS, even if it
hasn't been delivered"
"oh, let him have it," retorted Charlie,
a--;I- GEEu1l Tz-A- III -
that you are a ohump, but I'll predict that
you'll never make a successful business
man. You are too punotilious."
John Brent overheard the conversation,
and he stepped to a gap in the hedge, In
order to get a good look at the boy who
had such a high regard for his word.
1.-THE lad has a good face, and Is made
of the right sort of stuff" was the
m~illionaire's comment. "He places a
proper value upon his integrity, and he
will succeed in business because he is
pHnotiilous.
The next day, while he was again work
ing on his hedge, John Brent overheard
another conversation. Fred Fenton was
again a participant in 1t.
Erred. let us go over to the circus lot"
the other boy said. "The men are put
| ting up the tents for the afternoon per-
formance."
"No, Joe; I'd rather not" Fred said.
"But why2"
"On account of the profanity. One
never hears anything good on suoh COCA
siOns, and would advise you not to go
My mother would not want me to CO."
"Did she say you ~shouldn't?"
mo, joe"
Then let us go. You will not be dis.
obeying her orders"
"But l will be disoboyiug her wishes"
insisted Fred. mo, 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 adyer.
tised for a clork in his factory, and there
we're at least a dozsn applicants.
Il can simply take your names and
residences this morning." he said. 'IrI
make inquiries about you, and notify the
one whom l 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" hi said. 1--WE been
suited sooner than l expected to be-" he
added, looking at the other bays and dis.
missing them with a wave of his hand.
"Why did you take me ?" asked Fred,
in surprise. "Wby were inquiries not
necessary in my case? You DO not know
me-"
81 know you better than you think l
do" John Brent said, With a significant
smile.
"But 1 offered you no recommends
lions, suggested Fred.
"My boy, 1t wasn't necessary" replied
John Brent. 81 overheard you recon.
mend yourself"
But as he felt disposed to enlighten
Fred, he told him about the two CONVEX.
sations he had overheard.
Now, boys, this is a true story, and
there Is a moral in it. You are more fire..
| quently observed, and heard and over
heard, than you are aware Of. Your
elders have a habit of making an estimate
of your mental and moral worth. You
cannot keep late hours, lounge on the
corners, visit low places of amusement,
smoke cigarettes, and chaf boys who
are better than you are, without older
peoples making a note of your bad
habits.
How much more forcibly and credit
ably pure speech. good breeding, honest
purposes, and parental respect would
speak in your behalf i Golden Days.
All the People.