Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-05-26
No Recommendation.

was a low, clear voice, with just the faint
est tremor OF apprehension in it. He
stood at the counting room, hat in hand,
his clothing neat and clean, his attitude
waiting and deferential. The long, we'll
filled counters in the narrow room were
lost in deep perspective. Clerks hurried
hither and thither. In the rear OF the
store were heard the sound of hammers
and the creaking of the elevator. Though
if was but nine O'Clock in the morning
and the sun was shining brightly outside,
it was so gloomy in the store room that
the gas had to be lighted.
"Do want a boy ?" asked the owner
of the store, turning around in his chair
and looking sharply over the top OF his
spectacles. "What can you do ?"
"Make myself useful, hope replied
the boy.
90, general utility man y and Mr..
Lansing laughed "Can you write p
81 am a graduate of the high school,
sir"
care you? That speakeS well for you.
What is your name ?"
Gabriel Winchester"
SIS your father living"
"He died when was child"
Mr.. Lansing eyed him more keenly
when he said that, and also more kindly.
"a am the only support of my mother"
the boy said, his voice husky; almost
the only support. She manages to secure
work one day in the week"
The merchant was pleased with the
boys preciSeneSs.
The head bookkeeper, an old, gray
haired gentleman with benign face, had
turned from his desk, attracted by the
boys voice and the character OF his re-
plies.
"Where were you last employed ?"
Mr.. Lansing asked.
"At the office of the Argus.
GAS composition ?"
"No, but had expected to be. | was
clerk in the office, sir"
Mr.. Lansing took off his glasses and
wiped them. "Have you any recommen-
dations ?" he then asked.
"No, sir.
"Why not p
The lads lips trembled. 81 was
discharged" came at last in faint voice.
80, that is it, eh ?" and Mr.. Lansing
frowned. "No wonder they gave you
no recommendation. 1t strikes ME you
do not lack assurance. No, do not want
boy" He spoke with needless acrl-
mony, wheeled around in his chair, and
resumed his paper. He was church
member, and admired nothing so much
as integrity OF character. Capacity, rella-
biity, and stainless reputation were
three things upon which he insisted in
the selection of his employees.
The boys face fell, and he turned to
go; but the bookkeeper made him sign
to wait for few moments. He had been
strangely drawn to the boy.
"Mr. Lansing" the bookkeeper said
respectfully, perhaps it was candor in
the boy, and not assurance. Will you
allow me to ask him question ?"
90. a dozen of them," replied Mr..
Lansing crustily, not lifting his eyes from
his paper.
"Perhaps you should have made one
more inquiry" the bookkeeper said.
"My lad, why were you discharged ?"
because would not work on the
Lords day." came back the reply, stead
, lily and bravely.
"What is that you say ?" 1t was Mr..
Lansing who spoke, land in a tone quick
er and louder than was usual with him.
al was discharged because would not
work on the Lords day." the lad repeat
ed. "They started Sunday paper in the
office last week. The men and boys
laughed at me, but | did not care.
could not work on that day, sir" There
was a resolute look on his face, and he
seemed to grow an inch or two taller.
'No; you were right, declared Mr..
Lansing in strong, gratified voice. "Just
sit down minute.
His opinion of the boy had entirely
changed. He hurriedly left the counting
room. In fifteen minutes he returned
He had been over to the office OF the Ar
gus. The boys story was correct. The
proprietor of the paper, crusty, impa-
tient old gentleman, had nothing to say in
the boys favor; but the editor was pro-
nounced in his praise.
al do want boy" MIR. Lansing said,
as he placed his hand on the petitioners
head. al believe you will suitme. Come
here at this hour tomorrow morning.
A grateful look shone on the boys lace
"Thank you, sir" he said and then with
drew.
"Mr. Doyle" said Mr.. Lansing to the
head bookkeeper, "you taught me a les
son. 1t is possible for us to come wide
of the truth and do great injustice TO an
other simply by asking one question toe
few"