Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-20
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The Fountain Pen:
! 1t Taught a Lesson.


When you get to be my age, Davis,
you'H prefer to use your head more
and your legs less" said the cashier,
dryly, as he slipped into his pocket the
fountain pen which the young clerk
had just handed him: If you had
thought at all, you would have known
that l couldn't need this pen till to-
morrow, and you would have saved
yourself the four blocks
II didn't think it ALL" interrupted
the boy, with a show of irritation.
when I've said I'll do thing. I've
done with thinking about it. | just do
it'tIHs
Then, Davis, you are a great moral
genius" retorted the other, with a
laugh. "l'll have to congratulate the
chief that We have secured your ser
vices"
The boy felt that he was being ridi-
culed. and his fresh young face red
dened more deeply. He surveyed the
older man with open defiance.
Just to show you, sir, that | haven't
brought this pen back to make show
of being goody-goody and getting into
your favor, I'll get myself thoroughly
out of your favor and earn a discharge
by telling you what | think of your
manners" he burst forth, hotly. and
his blue eyes moistened with anger.
II think, sir, that they are"
He wavered on the brink of an un-
accustomed expletive.
See here, Davis, | apologize" said
the cashier, in friendly tone. Il had
no business speaking as l did. Fl old
on a minuter The young clerk had
laid his hand on the door-knob. az
am really interested Davis. in your
views on borrowing and returning"
the cashier continued, In a light tone
playing with some papers on his desk
I've been philosophizing about it my
self 4 little"
The boy was plainly anxious to be
gone. Along with the other clerks Of
the office, he held this sharp tongued,
smiling man in dislike.
You walk back four blocks to fulfil
a promise to which no one was hold.
ing you. and you have proved TO me
that you didn't do ii to forward your.
self in our good graces," said the
cashier.
81 NEST certainly did not!r retorted
the boy, still angry. Il don't think
my moral principles concern you, sir.
until they become a matter of dollars
and cents TO you. Ii were in your
position, with chance 10 embezzle
funds"
The cashiers hands dropped upon
the desk, slid off loosely by the weight
of his dragging arms, and fell Imply
to his side.
my views on borrowing and lend.
ing would concern the firm" continued
the boy. "As 1t is. you need not in
quire into my motives"
"Oh, come, Davis. don't be so seri.
ous!' urged the cashier, in a kindly
tone A slight glow had come into his
/ face. "Tell me what makes you so
particular. It's just habit. isn't it:
You've been brought up to be nicely
scrupulous:'
ITS just my dislike for making ex
cuses, think" answered Davis, slow.
". I'D always rather walk -four
blocks than have TO excuse myself Il
tany one for something I've done Oh
| haven't done"
well, can understand that, Davis y
said the cashier. "That sort of thing
is dlsagreeable, very. Now if you had
borrowed this pen from my desk with
out my knowing anything about it
and had returned it the same way
there wouldn't have been that disagree
able explanation TO 90 through"
Il don't see the gain" said the boy
with a look of disgust on his face
"Then you'd have the most disagree
| able thing of all TO do-you'd have t.
make excuses TO yourself. There's
never any end to that sort of thing
/ With that he went out of the l&om
Hello. Daylsr called the eashie
after him. and when the boy stuck his