Monsieur Smith.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 35

Monsieur Smith.

It is known that Stephen G-irard admired industry as much as he despised sloth, and there was never, ib is related, an instance where he refused to furnish employment or money to an industrious and worthy man in distress. Early one morning, while M. Girard was walking around the square, John Smith, who had worked on buildings as a labourer, and whom Girard had noticed for his unusual activity, applied to him for help, when something like the following dialogue took place : — " Help— work— ha 1 You want to work 1" "Yes, sir ; it's a long time since I had anything to do." " Ver' well. I shall give you some. You see dem stone yondare ? " "Yes, sir." - " Ver' well. You shall fetch and put him in zis place. You see 1" " Yes, sir." " When you got him done come to me at my bank." Smith diligently performed his task, which he finished about 1 o'clock, when he repaired j to M. Girard, and asked if he would give him ! some more work. I " Ah, ha 1 oui ; you want some more work, Ver' well. You sail go place dem stones j where you got him. You see ? You take him back. " Yes, sir." Away went Smith to his work, and having got through with it about sunset he waited on M. Girard for his pay. "Ah, ha! You all finish?" " Yes, sir." " Ver' well. How much money sail I give you ? " " One dollar, sir." " Dat is hones'. You not take advantage. Dare is your dollar." " Can I do anything else for you ? " " Oui. Come here when you get up tomorrow. You sail have some work." Next morning, on calling, Smith was not a little astonished when told that he must "Take dem stone back again," nor was his astonishment diminished when the order was repeated for the fourth time. However, he was one of the happy class who mind their own business, and he went serenely on with his job. When he called on his eccentric employer in the evening and informed him of the progress of the work, he was saluted in the most cordial manner. "Ah, Monsieur Smith, you shall be my man. You mind your own business ; you do what is told you. You ask no questions; you no interfere, You got vife 1" « Yes, sir." " Ah, zat is bad. Vife is bad. Any de little shick 1" " Yes, sir ; five living." " Five 1 Zat is good ; I like live ; I like you ; you like to work ; you mind your business. Now I do something for your five little shick. Dare, take these five piece paper for your five little shick. You shall mind your business, and your little shick sail never want. Good-by." — New Yotk paper.