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The Race That Wins

The Race That Wins image
Parent Issue
Day
27
Month
January
Year
1888
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The following story is one of th traditions of a inunufucturin r firm ia Glasgow, Scotland. Thirty years ago a barefoot, ragged urchin presen ted himself before the desk of the principal partner, and as Led lor work as an erran d boy. "There's a deal o' running to be done," said Mr. Blank, jestingly, affecting a broad Scotch accent. " vut lirst qualifkation wud bo a pair o' shoon. The boy, with a grave nod, d sap peared. He lived by do ng oi'd jobs iu the market, and slept under one of the stalls. 1 wo montlm passed before h-t had savedeenough money to buy the shoes. Then he presented himsef before Mr. Black one moruing, and held out a package. "1 hao the .-hoon," he said quietly. "Oh!" Mr Mank with di'liculty recalled the circumstances. 'ïou want aplace? Not in those rags, my lad: you would disgrace the houe.' The boy hesita ted a moment, and then went out without a word. Si months passed before he reiurned decently clothed in coarse but new garments. Mr. i.lank'a interest was aroused. For the rst ti i e he looked at the boy attentively. His thin, bloodless face showed that he had stinled himself of food for months to buy these clothes. The manufacturer now questioned the boy closely, and found, to his regret, that he could neitlier read nor wnte. "It is necos sary that you should do both before we could etnploy you in carrying home pareéis." he said "We have no place for joh." The lad's face gre w palr, but with - out a word of complaint he disappeared. He now went fift en milos in the country and found work in stables near a nia;ht school. At the eud of a year he again presented himself b fore Mr. Blank. "I can read and write, '' he said briefiy. "I gave him the place, ' the employer said afterward, "with the conviction that in procesa of time he would take mine, if he made up his mind to do it. Men rise slowly in Scotch business houses. but he is now our chief fore - man."

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat