The Florida agriculturist., 1906-04-11
Mr.. Benfield's Politeness.

from his disguise and became his true
self. Benfield was Junior partner in
commercial house which had reputa-
ton for Suave, gentlemanly methods.
Benfield had inaugurated the system.
Indeed, his interest in the firm con-
sisted mainly in his politeness. Be
cause of it he had risen from the ranks
of the employees. He prided himself
that during business hours he never
lost his temper. Geniality radiated
from him and his tactful pressure
smOothed out countless difficulties
''POliteness is a big part of our
capital" he declared. ''ImpOliteness
drives away many an ORDER
Benfeld discharged all employees
caught being rude.
Benfield belonged to the Merchants
beneficial society, which met once a
month at downtown hotel over an in
formal dinner. On one occasion Ben
field was delegated to prepare an ad-
dress, and he took for his subject, PO-
likeness as Business Factor For
three weeks Benfield was so busy dis
penSing smiles and good humOr at the
office that he neglected writing his
speech. Finally he got down to busi-
ness and made things hum. Every
night after hurrying through his din
ner, he wrote, re-wrOte and wrote
again the maXims on which he had
built up his business. Everything else
in his household was sidetracked If
the children dared to speak above a
whisper, Benfield would brawl at them.
Shut up!' and once or twice. when
the pet canary ventured to tune up a
bit. Benfield shouted to his WIFE,
Mary if you don't strangle that GUS
sed bird I'll throw it out of the win
dow
Benfeld lived in a fiat on the third
floor of IL building on FiftN-siXth
street. Mrs. Benfield was Il frail.
little woman, but the dividends on
Benfields pOliteness had not reached
figure sufficient to permit of
servant, especially as Benfield's posi-
ton as Il member of the firm required
him to dress stylishly and be consist
emily liberal with customers. Cigars
and a little wine, of course, went with
the pOliteness.
Folks said that Benfield was a hard
worker. He sat at his desk from nine
in the morning until six at night, dis
pensing smiles and graceful words.
When evening came he was so tired of
his own pOliteness that he left it all
in the office.
Mrs. Benfield, too, worked hard.
washing, ironing, cooking and Juggling
the baby up three flights of stairs, and
when night came she was tired of the
burden and would have been glad to
escape from it for time Sometimes
she cried a little, secretly
Benfield went home at four O'clock
on the day he was to deliver his paper
Oh the art of pOliteness. He wanted
to put some finishing touches on the
essay, and he couldn't find time at the
office. When he opened the door the
family dog came forward dOubtfully
to greet him.
Get Outr' said BenfieId, with a
kick.
Scarcely had he started writing than
the canary broke into Hungarian
rhapsody. Benfield dropped his pen.
sprang to the cage and, stalking to the
back door, tossed it to the ground
''Oh, Ambrose, AmbrOser' cried Mrs
Benfield.
'DamnatiOn!' was his retort
When the children came home from
school, Mrs. Benfield cOrraled them
and locked them in the basement while
their father was finishing his Grafton
on pOliteness.
Here's a spot on my dress Suitr'
rptOrted RenfieId when ha draSSad