Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-06-21
w. c. T. U. COLUMN.
A Boy Who Recommended Himself.

| Jonu DfeDJ was trimming MS neuRe,
aud the snip" snip" OF his shears
was a pleasing sound to him. In the
center OF a wide, smoothly kept lawn
stood his residence, handsome, mas
sive modern structure, which had cost
him not less than ninety thousand
dollars.
Just beyond the hedge was the pub
lie sidewalk, and two boys stopped OPP
posite to where he was at work.
''Halloa, 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?"
81 sold it to Willie Robbins for one
dollar and a half replied Fred.
well, now, that was silly" declared
Charlie. Cpd have given you three
dollars for it,"
"You are too late," replied Fred.
nave DTOHloCu III w w lillcs
"Oh! you only promised it to him,
Ell? And he's simply promised to pay
for it, suppose? III give you three
dollars cash for it,.
Il can't do it, Charlie"
you can if you want to. A dollar and
half more isn't to be sneezed at"
al,,ftta1 EraH.
sand I'd like to have it only promised
it to Willie"
But you are not bound to keep
your promise. You are at liberty to
take more for it. Tell him that l
offered you as much again, 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"
John Brent overheard the converse
ton, and he stepped to gap in the
hedge, in order to get a look at the
boy who had such high regard for
his word
1.-THE lad has a good face, and is
made of the right sort of stuff" was
the millonaire's mental comment.
HE places a proper value upon his
integrity, aud he will succeed in bust
hananca he 10 ,Nnnnti1inno -
Two months later John Brent adyer-
tised for clerk ia his factory, and
there were at least dozen applicants.
II 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 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 keen
ly, pleased smile crossing his face.
"You can stay" he said 'I've
been suited sooner than / expected to
be" he added, looking at the other
boys and dismissing them with wave
of the hand.
"Why did you take me?" asked Fred,
in surprise. "Why were inquiries not
necessary in my case? You do not
know me-"
81 know you better than you think
do" John Brent said, with signifi-
cant smile.
Now, boys, this is true story, and
there is a moral in it. You are more
frequently observed and heard aud
overheard than you are aware Of.
Your elders have 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 cigarets and
chat boys who are better than you are,
without elder people making note
of your bad habits.
How much more forcibly and credit
ably pure speech, good breeding, hon.
est purposes and parental respect
would speak in your behalf!-Selected.