He wanted boys to work, and work hard, as he did himself; but he fed them well, treated them kindly, did all in his power to put them ahead as fast as they developed capacity, and, when the work permitted, gave them a few hours to themselves, and would let them have iron and coal to do any little job, and make any little thing to sell to boys or the neighbors.
The facts in the matter were just these: If Mr. Starrett sent Sam on board a vessel to back out bolts, or to drive them in, or to take the measure of anything, he would be gone at least twice as long as was needful, and very likely come back with the wrong dimensions; and after the work was done, it would all have to be done over again, and perhaps the vessel all ready for sea except that. He would neglect to fore-lock a bolt. It would draw in a gale of wind, and cause serious damage. But if he sent John, it was all done well, and in the shortest time. There was another reason. He forged a great many anchors for fishermen, which was heavy work, and required a great deal of striking with a large sledge; and John always struck with a good will, was never tired, and would draw the iron more at one blow than Sam, or even Lewis, at two. No wonder then that Mr. Starrett liked John best, put him ahead, and gave him jobs, that, in the usual course of things, belonged to Sam. It was just the same at the anvil as everywhere else. The boy that does the best for his employer does the best for himself.
But the matter did not stop even here. It was the same in the house. Mrs. Starrett and Betty, the maid, conceived the strongest liking for John, and for equally substantial reasons as his master. If asked to do anything, he did it willingly, and on this very account was more lightly taxed.
“I hate to ask John to wait on me,” said Mrs. Starrett, “because he does it so willingly; for I know he works hard, and I had rather do it myself.”
“He’s a gentleman, every inch of him,” replied Betty. “He wasn’t brought up on a dunghill,—that’s plain to be seen. I often bring water myself rather than ask him. But as for that Glacier, I made him wait on me by inches, he was so hoggish and lazy. If he gave me any of his impudence, I went straight to his master with the tale.”
It chanced one day that John was absent at dinner-time, his master having sent him to the wharf. A plate was set on for Sam that was cracked, and had a piece taken out of the edge. He was so put out about it that he went off without his dinner.
Mrs. Starrett told Betty to put it on for John when he came.
“I’ll do no such thing! I’ll not put him below that growling creature!”
“Do as I tell you, Betty.”