Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1894 — HE KNEW HIS BUSINESS. [ARTICLE]

HE KNEW HIS BUSINESS.

A Smart Boy Kamra How to Baa aa Ba- - glae and Bother a Parton. The writer paid a visit to the Mechanics’ Fair in Boston, and stood tor a moment near an engine in the basement. The engineer in charge possessed a bright little son whom he had taught the method of stopping and starting the machine. The little boy, who did not seem to be over 10 years of age, was standing by the engine when a gentleman came up to him and said: “You seem to be a pretty small boy to run such a big engine.” ' “I suppose I am pretty small," replied the boy, “but I can do it all right” “You think you understand your business?” continued the visitor. “Yes, sir, I da" “Can you start the engine?" “I can.” “Let’s see you start it ’ The boy opened the valve and the flywheel slowly started to resolve. “You really can do it, can’t you?” said the visitor. “Yes, sir,” modestly answered the boy. “Can you make it go backward?” asked the man. “Backward or forward, it doesn't make any difference to me,” replied the young engineer. “Let me see you run it backward.” The boy stopped the engine and quickly reversed it, so it ran in an opposite direction. “Well, I declare, my boy, you seem to understand your business perfectly. ” The boy said nothing for a moment, but eyed the stranger suspiciously. Suddenly an idea appeared to strike him, and he said: 1 “May I ask what your business is?” “Why, certainly; lam a minister of the gospel. ” “Where do you reside?” “Oh, right across the river here, In Cambridge. ” “Do you understand your business?" further questioned the youngster. “I believe I do,” replied the minister, good-naturedly. “Can you repeat the Lord’s Prayer?” “Why, certainly.” “Say it lor me,” requested the boy. The clergyman did so. “You really do know how, don’t you?” laughingly sa’d the little engineer. “Why, of course, I do; I repeat it several times a day.” “Well, now, say it backward; you know I ran the engine backward for you. ” The clergyman, after a moment’s hesitation, said he could not do it. “You can’t do it?” said the little fellow. “Well, you see, I understand my business a great deal better than you do yours. ” The clergyman appeared to think so, and retired.—Cassell’s Magazine.