The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1914-08-01
ADVANTAGES OF GOOD MANNERS

Youths Companion:
John Lang was a successful business
man, active and alert, and he spoke
with crisp decisiveness. "You see,
Brand, we have plenty of young men
in the West who would jump at the
chance, and some of them would quail
lily fairly we'll. But l want for this
place man with Eastern traditions
and point of view, and a graduate of
Technology, too. It's the chance of a
Lifetime for the right man. If he sue
ceeds in this place, he can go up In.
definitely"
well" replied Professor Brand,
there are two recent graduates who
stand out above all the other men in
!my classes. They were graduated three
Years ago, and have done excellent
work since. One of them, Wilson, led
his classic had the highest marks in
lyears-and Billings was one Of the
first ten. Wilson is absolutely self
made, worked his way through school
land college, and had no time for recre-
alton, if he ever had the inclination.
Billings has much more of the social
instinct, but he had no struggle to gain
his education-his family put him
through, you understand. He is first.
/ rate man, but perhaps he hasn't the
same training for hard work that Will
son has. You'd better look them over
yourself. I'll ask them to dinner Fri.
day. Of course they will have no idea
that they are under inspection"
Good! Friday at seven, then"
Late on Friday evening, the two
older men parted from their younger
guests, and following the call of the
lovely spring night, walked through
the Public Garden. Finally the pro-
fessor said:
well, Lang, which is it?'
Billings is the man. he's more OBJ.
servant"
How do you know he'd be keener
than Wilson,"
"Well, for one thing, his social ad.
dress Is better"
Nov, Lang, we're beating round the
bush. We are both thinking of Viii.
sons bad table manners. Let's admit
lit! Still, it doesn't seem quite fair
that lack of early home.training
should cut Wilson off from his great
chance, now does it?"
"Would it really be great chance
to Wilson? Would he see the chance
and do for the company what the man
in this position must do, represent us
socially, meet men-big men often
each on his own precise level?"
"But many successful men have
shocking table manners"
eyes, Brand, but can't risk it In
this case. I've been looking these men
iup, and / find that Billings comes from
very simple people, too. think you'll
find that whatever ease or grace Of
manner he has is the result of keer
| eye and a clear mind. He may have
stood below Wilson in academic work
but he has the sense to recognize the
best way of doing things, and the
willingness to put himself out in order
to acquire that best way"
The kind-hearted professor SHOOK
his head sorrowfully. tits not cas-!
! to put a deliberate finger on another''
weakness, but ! wish dared tell vii
son what you say"
you'll do him a tremendous favor i
tyou do, Brand. Any business concern
would rather be represented by a maj
who cares enough to improve himsel
in every possible way than by maj
who has had the advantage of uni
versity training, and yet behaves lik'
a boor. There's careless and indif
Iferent streak in man like that some
where. He's not a safe investment.