[Sidenote: Faithful Work]
“Here, you little rascal, finish up in that corner!” called out old John
Smith, the janitor, to Oldham, who was helping him sweep the basement.
Old John had rheumatism, and the school board allowed him to employ a
boy at twenty-five cents a night, to help him with the sweeping. Oldham
had secured the job, and hoped to earn a new suit before spring.
“I am finishing up in this corner,” he answered, indignantly. “I’m not
done yet, but I’m getting it clean.”
“See that you do, then,” and old John turned painfully to his own work.
His eyes were growing dim, and because he could not see he thought he
might insure thorough work by severity. Soon Oldham came to him for more
directions.
“Go into the furnace-room and sweep up in there,” old John told him.
Oldham saw that the furnace-room was very dark, indeed. “He’ll never
know whether I’ve done the corners in here or not,” he told himself. And
still smarting a little with resentment at old John’s undeserved
gruffness, he slighted his work and finished in short order.