The Forrest City times., 1898-12-02
HONEST GINGLY.
By OPIE READ.

 ~ INGLY had lost his job, and had 1T begun to feel anxious. He had come from the country and for time had been successful, that is, as an ac- countant he had found work; but times frightened. He accepted regular em- ployment at small salary and was enabled to live, going back to the coun- try once in awhile to dazzle the eyes of his former associates. He was some times called Honest Gingly," not be- cause he had ever done anything to stamp him as honest, but because he had failed to make success of himself, which went far toward proving that he must be honest. He remarked one day to his employer fin the city that in the village he was known as Honest Cling ly," and after that he was viewed with suspicion; and when the time came for cutting down, he was told to go. He argued that it would be better not to return to the village. Our home folks" have great contempt for the failure of one of their set. They have II told you so" on the ends of their wise tongues; and village wisdom rips like a saw. So Gingly decided not to return until he could go with the appearance of success. He remembered that some philosopher had said that to keep up appearances was a part of success, so he left his cheap boarding house and went to hotel, having money enough to keep him there nearly three weeks He sat about the office, talking about big financial deals. the prospect of a rise in wheat, and the honors that had fallen upon the great flag of his coun- try.
 Are you on the board 2" man asked one night.
 Well, no, not at present" And then remembered that he was once called Honest Gingly," and refecting that it was well to be truthful along with his honesty, he added: II say not at present, but the fact is, never was on the board"
 linen let me give you piece of ad- vice, young fellow" said the man. Don't talk so big of great deals"
 Why not?''
 Well, it might stand in your way in | the event you wanted to get situation. Men would take you for gambler" Gingly thought over this and agreed that the man had given him good ad- vice. And now, instead of talking finance he talked labor. Money that was not worked for had no value. The great middle class was the back bone of a nation. Spain had no backbone be- cause she had no middle class. By the way" said man one even ing, you are laborer, take it." No, not exactly that" Gingly re- piled, "but work whenever have any thing to do."
 "Well, if I were you I'd stop talking labor"
 Why so?"
 "Well, in case you were looking for employment it would go against you. Men don't want to employ labor agi- tators."
 Gingly believed that the man told the truth, but he felt resentment, and turning upon him demanded petulant- ly: But what the deuce can fellow talk about?''
 Well, I don't know exactly wouldn't like to lay down rules, but it strikes me that to do less talking would be better for you" This was another truth that could not be denied. So Gingly sat about the office, saying not word. And one night he overheard man talking to the clerk.
 "Who is that fellow that sits about and never says word?"
 "Oh. that fellow? His name is Ging- ly."
 Has he got any sense?"
 Smart enough for his purpose, guess"
 But what is his purpose?"
 Well, you'll have to ask him."
 When the young fellow went up to bed he thought over all his ups and downs, of all that had been said to him and about him, and was not long in reaching the conclusion that he was a fool. But he was still honest. That was some consolation. The principal merchant in his village had called him honest, and that mans word was ss good as commercial paper. Still he could not take it down to the clerk and