The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-20
POLITENESS IN NEW YORK.
Being the Advice Given by Seif.kisde
Uncle 10 His Nephew.


Uncle 10 His Nephew.
MY boy said the merchant, with the
air Of a self-made uncle add ressing his
nephew. there 10 just one piece of advice
that want to give you, now that you are
entering the service Of Githere d Co.
AS you know. am giving you the place
because you are the son OF my favorite
widowed sister; but IL you are to Oh a
high position with the firm you must do it
on your merits. You are beginning at the
bottom OF the ladder and IL you prove
yourself worthy Of better berth than
that Of mailing clerk you will find us APP
preciatiye. l started where you are now
and l need not dwell on the success have
made.
But while l shall always take a personal
interest in your progress you must not
expect any undue assistance or hope for
different treatment from that Of the other
clerks. However, l shall depart from
custom sufficiently to tell you the secret
OF my SUCCESS 30 that you may model your
conduct on the same lines.
Il have no hesitation in saying that my
present prosperity ID due to one thing
politeness. Since entering business have
every one with whom l come in contact.
II you do the same, work hard and cnlti-
vate thrift. your future il assured.
Now. my boy, l will expect you to APP
preciate the opportunity l am giving you.
and may say that, although while you are
in my employ you will be treated like any
other clerk, you may look forward TO being
invited to eat your Thanksgiving dinner
with me and my family every year
Thank you, SIR" said the boy, bowling
politely and passing from the presence OF
the great man.
A month later the business manager Of
Githere Il Co. remarked casually to the
head Of the firm:
4 am worried somewhat about our new
mailing clerk.
MY nephew"
Yes, sir.
:. . " =. /. a The matter with hi"' Doesn't
oh, YES, he docs his work but he seems
on the verge OF a breakdown; He seems
to be living q very irregular life. don't
think he gets enough sleep, and l doubt
IL he gets all his meals. Some mornings
he is late and on others he 10 here before the
place opens"
A moment later tho culprit stood trem-
bling on tho Oriental rug in front OF his
unofe's desk, The great man was startled
at the change that had come over the ruddy
country boy and asked in tones OF real
concern: -,
why. Willie. what 10 the matter with
%. sir, said the boy, on the verge Of tears,
1--we been trying TO follow your advice
and-and it's almost killing me-.
what do you meanf'
.I'm praoticing politeness all tie time.
and although 1t Ia all right for the ONCE
where ! have work to do and meet few
people, outside OF tho ONCE IL nearly Kills
me-
How SOL"
well, sir, I'm polite to people getting
on the trolley cars and because l step back
to let Others get ahead / never get home
until an empty car comes along, and that
makes me too late for dinner. In, the
morning found the same difficulty until /
began getting up early SO as to get here
before the rush, and that made me leave
INV boarding house too early for breakfast
and don't get enough sleep When 60
out TO get lunch, the cheap lunch places are
all crowded. and" but the half starved
child burst into tears. unable to proceed.
20, hang it ALL" exclaimed the merchant.
when you are in New York you must not be
so COMPOUNDED literal. Here is dollar.
Go and get something to eat and II any one
gets in your way. knock him down and bite
his ear -.
As the grateful boy was leaving his pres
ence the great man added with the air
OF a philosopher backing and filing:
And while still maintain that politeness
Ia a great factor in business success. you
NAV amend the rule l gave you by being
nolte only when il pays.