No Letter

A gentleman put an advertisement in a newspaper for a boy to work in his office. Out of the nearly fifty men who came to apply, the man selected one and dismissed the others.

“I should like to know,” said a friend, “the reason why you preferred that boy, who did not bring a single letter---not a recommendation.”

       “You are wrong,” said the gentleman. “He had a great many. He wiped his feet at the door and closed the door after him, indicating that he was careful. He gave his seat immediately to that crippled old man, showing that he was kind and thoughtful. He took off his cap when he came in, and answered my questions promptly, showing that he was polite and gentlemanly.”

       “All the rest stepped over the book which I had purposely put on the floor. He picked it up and placed it on the table; and he waited quietly for his turn instead of pushing and crowding. When I talked to him, I noticed his tidy clothing, his neatly brushed hair, and his clean fingernails. Can’t you see that these things are excellent recommendations? I consider them more significant than letters.”