WHAT THE MEN SAY OF YOU.
"CHARLIE LESLIE," called out a farmer to a boy who was passing, "we are short of hands today. Couldn't you give us a turn at these pears? They must be off to market by tomorrow morning. If you will help me, I'll pay you well."
"Not I," said Charlie, "I'm off on a fishing excursion. Can't leave my business to attend to other people's," and with a laugh, he walked on.
"That's just what the boys are good for, now-a-days," growled the farmer. "These pears might rot on the trees for all the help I could get from them. Time was when neighbors, men and boys both, were obliged to each other, and turned in and helped in a pinch, and took no pay but 'Thank ye.' Lads now-a-days are above work, if they haven't a whole jacket to their backs."
"Could I help you, Mr. Watson?" said a pleasant voice just then, as Fred Tracy appeared around the clump of lilac bushes that had hid him from view. He had heard the Farmer's conversation with Charlie, and as he was an obliging boy, he was sorry to see the farmer's fruit spoil for want of hands to gather it. "I have nothing in particular to do this afternoon, and would as lief help you awhile as not', "Might know it was you, Fred," said the farmer, well pleased. "I don't believe there is another boy around who would offer his services."
The matter was soon arranged, and Fred pulled off his jacket and went to work with a will, picking and sorting the fruit very carefully, to the satisfaction of Mr. Watson.
"If that boy had to work for a living? I would hire him in a minute," he thought. "But he'll make his way in any business. One so obliging will make a host of friends, who will always be willing to lend him a helping hand." Fred would take no pay from the farmer, who, he knew, was working hard to pay off a mortgage. But he did accept a basket of pears for his mother; for they were excellent ones, and the farmer insisted on his taking them. Ever after that, Fred was sure of a friend in farmer Watson, and one who was always ready to speak a good word for him whenever his name was mentioned. If boys only knew what a golden capital this 'good name' is, they would work harder to pit it. It has helped many a man to acquire great riches. It is of great importance to a boy what the men of his place say of him. Never fancy that they do not know you, that they have no interest in what you do. Every business man- sees and estimates the boy that passes before him at pretty nearly his real worth. Every man with sons of his own takes an interest in other men's sons. There is nothing like obliging ways to make friends with people, and to lead them to speak well of you. That will be a stepping-stone to all your success in after life.
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