Words for the Wise | Page 8

this, which I bring forward as a specimen of the character of
your dealings with your fellow-men, I could adduce almost
innumerable examples of your indirect and covert modes of obtaining
the advantage in ordinary transactions. You may not be aware of the

fact, Mr. Rowley, but your reputation among business men is that of a
dealer so close to your own side of the bargain as to trench upon the
rights of others. You invariably keep the half cent in giving change,
while you have been repeatedly known to refuse a ten cent piece and
two cents for an elevenpence. In fact, you are known as a man who
invariably seeks to get the best of every transaction. If this is Christian
charity--if this is a just regard for the rights of your neighbours--if this
is in agreement with the spirit of the Bible, then I have been labouring
under a mental delusion. Man of the world as I am--heathen as you
have seemed to regard me, I am proud to say that I govern my actions
from a higher principle. You now understand, gentlemen," addressing
the friends of Rowley, "why I have called this man a Sunday Christian.
It is plain that he expects to get to heaven by a simple Sunday service
of his Maker, while all the week he pursues gain so eagerly as to thrust
other people aside, and even make his way, so to speak, over their
prostrate bodies. I have no more to say."
Rowley was so much confounded by this unexpected charge, that he
was silent. His own conscience wrote an affirmation of the truth in his
countenance. The men who had come with him arose, and, bowing with
far more respect than when they entered, withdrew, and Rowley went
with them.
There was a change in the pious merchant after this. He conducted his
business with less apparent eagerness to get the best of every bargain
than had been his custom in former times; but whether influenced by
more genuine Christian principles, or by an awakened love of
reputation, it is not for us to say.
It is not by a man's religious profession that the world judges of his
character, but by the quality of his transactions in business intercourse
with his fellow-men. If he be truly religious, it will be seen here in the
justice and judgment of all his business transactions. If a man be not
faithful to his brother, he cannot be faithful to Heaven.

I KNEW HOW IT WOULD BE.

"HE'LL never succeed!" was the remark of Mr. Hueston, on reference
being made to a young man named Eldridge, who had recently
commenced business.

"Why not?" was asked.
"He's begun wrong."
"In what way?"
"His connection is bad."
"With Dalton?"
"Yes. Dalton is either a knave or a fool. The former, I believe; but in
either case the result will be the same to his partner. Before two years,
unless a miracle takes place, you will see Eldridge, at least, coming out
at the little end of the horn. I could have told him this at first, but it was
none of my business. I never meddle with things that don't concern
me."
"You know Dalton, then?"
"I think I do."
"Has he been in business before?"
"Yes, half a dozen times; and somehow or other, he has always
managed to get out of it, with cash in hand, long enough before it broke
down to escape all odium and responsibility."
"I'm sorry for Eldridge. He's a clever young man, and honest into the
bargain."
"Yes; and he has energy of character and some business talents. But he
is too confiding. And here is just the weakness that will prove his ruin.
He will put too much faith in his plausible associate."
"Some one should warn him of his danger. Were I intimate enough to
venture on the freedom, I would certainly do so."
"I don't meddle myself with other people's affairs. One never gets any
thanks for the trouble he takes on this score. At least, that is my
experience. And, moreover, it's about as much as I can do to take good
care of my own concerns. This is every man's business."
"I wish you had given the young man a word of caution before he was
involved with Dalton."
"I did think of doing so; but then I reflected that it was his look-out, and
not mine. Each man has to cut his eye-teeth for himself, you know."
"True; but when we see a stumbling-block in the way of a blind man, or
one whose eyes are turned in another direction, we ought at least to
utter a warning word. It seems to me that we owe that much good-will
to our fellows."