The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-11-22
Another Chance.


Mr.. Gordon wasted no time in bust
ness hours. When he wanted new
suit Of clothes the tailor came to his
office and measured him there. On one
OF these occasions, as they passed
through to an inner room, the tailor
came face to face with the new book
keeper, and there was an evident, al
though silent and embarrassed recog-
milton, which Mr.. Gordon noticed.
He turned it over in his mind sew
eral times while the tailor was measur-
ing him. AS he replaced his coat, and
the tailor rolled up his tape to go, Mr..
Gordon said to him:
tt want you to tell me what you
know about that man."
II hate to tell you, Mr.. Gordon"
said the tailor, land yet I think
ought. That man is convict. He
stole from firm l buy from. He's
Just out of prison."
""Thank you," said Mr.. Gordon.
Nothing Is to be said to any one else.
you understand, but wanted to
know"
Mr.. Gordon was a man of prompt ac-
ton. His decision was immediate, and
his impulse to put 1t into effect was 80
swift that his hand was on the bell
before he thought twice. But before
ringing he stopped for second thought.
"Of course I must discharge him."
he said. I'm a business like mine I
can't have any one round that I can't
trust. And yet it's little hard, If the
fellow really meant to do better.
see now why he offered himself at such
low wages, and why he keeps SO care
fully inside"
He opened the cash-book and looked
over the entries since the new book
keeper came The work was done with
almost painful accuracy. Mr.. Gordnn
then read them through and ran over
the balances. 1t was all straight thus
tar.
"Of course 1t rs" he said to himself
"But how long will 1t continue 50?
never can be sure what day he Twill
break again in the old place. Bust
ness is business. I must have men
whom l can trust"
So he rang the bell.
The new bookkeeper came in, hts
prison pallor intensified by his fear
He tried to walk erect, but Mr.. Gordon
thought of the lock-step. 1t was
strange, he thought, that he had not
noticed these things In the beginning.
"Mr. Gordon" the man began, ~
know why you have called me. know
what that man told you. 1t was bound
to come, sooner or later. l have ex
pected 1t every time the door opened
since the morning you employed me.
saw your advertisement In the paper
and came to you, and it seemed tot
good to be true when you employed mi
on the spot. could hardly help shout
Ing for Joy, Thank God, I've found I
chance to be an honest man" But
realized that you would never hav,
taken me If you had known. You ar
just man. You probably never did
dishonest thing. You can't understan,
how a man could steal, and yet d.
right next time. 1 knew it must come
wanted to tell you, but didn't dare.
Mr.. Gordon sat quietly, APPARENT
unmoved by the mans despair.
"Jones," said he, you are right.
I had known never should have hire
you. I've got to trust the men whol
| 7 ,1 70 hox
In my Office whom l can't trust. An
30 I'm going to keep you and give 20
another chance. No thanks now. &c
back to your work. Hold up you
head. Act like an honest man. l.
trust you till the first time you steal.
: The bookkeeper went back, and NJ
Gordon meditated.
at wasn't at all what meant t
, my mouth to answer him, it was wit
the full intention of discharging hin
But what's a mans religion for If
isn't for a thing like this?
> II looked at the poor fellows pal
face, and I said to myself, 'Ye hav
r done it unto me- He didn't even dar
ask me to keep him, but his eyes wei
! 30 hungry for chance to be a man.
Y Just couldn't help 1t.
II suppose I shall worry some nov
: No; l won't, either! III give him al
other chance on the level
"My religion has been all justice
: it's time imported little mercy I'M
1t. I'll take thought and add tn;
/, cubit to my spiritual stature. An,
how, I've given my word, and he sha
stay"
= Up to this present hour the bool
keeper remains, and with Increased "a
:. airy! for he has proved ef3cient ar
= trustworthy, and Mr.. Gordon says tina
as for himself, 1t did him good, ar
!, tested his religion In Z new place.
h youths Companion.
q One-Tenth OF Tsn-Tenths.