The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-11-05
TOMMY WAS A MAN.
a True story Of seIf-controI Related
BY a Chicago Merchant.

The following really true" Incident
/ Is told about little fellow still IN
the knickerbocker stage. who works
for large Chicago paper house. One
| day he was called to the telephone
and after listening a minute turned
pale and hung up the receiver quietly
and hurried To the managers ONCE
The manager. however. had gone out
to lunch. so the boy left note read
ing. II hav 10 90 hoam.-Tommy Bar
ret" The manager found the note
when he returned. but soon became
busy with important matters and for
got all about the boo
Three days later, on Monday morn
ing. Tommy Barrett came back 10
work. To the other boys. queries OF
Been sick, Tommy" he maintained a
rigid silence He worked as hard as
usual and finally the boys ceased to
question him regarding his absence.
lseither did they insist again after
his second refusal TO accompany them
at noon for the usual scent lunch OF
coffee and bismarcks, having come TO
the conclusion. as they expressed II,
that Tommy had a crouch"
One day the manager was called at
noon TO inspect certain grade OF
paper in the storeroom on the top
floor. AS he and his foreman wended
their way through the huge rolls Of
paper they heard the sound of low
sobs. Silently they peered down the
long aisles of paper rolls and finally
in the center OF one narrow one they
saw the pathetic figure of little boy.
h. tel hafn frh En
portly form o. the manager, he bade
the boy come out.
II was Tommy Barrett. his face
flaming with embarrassment, his
cheeks tear-stained and dirty from
contact with the grimy little hands.
why, Tommy. what is tight with
one of the boys?" questioned the man
ager.
mo sir" faltered Tommy, now
striving manfully to raise his voice
above the threatening sobs.
Then what was it?" lhe manager
laid his hand on the boys head re-
assuringly. Tommy bit his lip for
composure then, dry-eyed. answered
firmly, My mudder died last week"
The manager turned away as the
chain OF memory waited him back to
to his own similar loss years ago,
when IL took the united efforts of a
host of relatives and the entire COM
munity of a sympathiZing small coun-
try town TO comfort him with choco-
late drops, little pies and miniat-
ure express wagons: and here, he
thought. was this little chap working
in silence AMI controlling the misery
Of his heart until he could steal away
at noontime and sob Ii all out alone
among the paper rolls.
Have you come up here before to
cry?" the manager inquired when he
felt sure Of his own voice.
Yes, sir Tommy answered. timidly.
adding apprehensively, but don't
fire me. sir--I won't do II again
Fire youl" the manager calculated.
We'll, | guess not; a boy not as high
as a yardstick. and with a mans self
control" Tommy looked up thankful
ly at this assurance.
Now run and wash your face" the
manager continued kindly. You're
going TO lunch with me at 2 o'clock"
An hour later Tommy. with face
glossy from recent battle with pumice
stone soap. was partaking OF a sub
stantial lunch with his employer, who
waxed cheerful. confidential, even
chummy. to put the boy at his ease.
AS they finished the desert he nomi.
mated and elected Tommy boss" of
"a boys at the envelope table. but
not the slightest reference was made
to the boys bereavement-for the
manager understood the fineness OF
Tommv'S feelings and rpsnacfed
them.-Chicago Tribune.