The Short Form by H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 3, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 23.

The Short Form.

By H.

WHO is that young chap I passed at your door just now?" asked Mr. Hyde as he entered the office of his friend, Mr. Green.

"He is Harold Paine, the son of J. B. Paine who used to own the Paine Block. Poor boy, his father was unfortunate in his business dealings before his death, and now the boy is shifting for himself, with an ambition for school and an invalid mother to support, a rather unpromising combination."

"What is he doing?" asked the visitor, seating himself.

"He is introducing a patent device for handy card-systems. It seems to be a fine thing, too. The boy was a little flustered when he came in; I gathered some one had not received him very kindly."

Mr. Hyde colored. "I guess that some one was yours truly," he confessed. "I suppose I did give him the 'short form,' tho I had no thought of hurting him."

"He was not hurt. But he is so much in earnest, and so sure that he has an honest appliance, that it bothers him a little to be refused an audience. He soon rallied from your 'short form' reception. By the way, Mr. Hyde, do you like the 'short form' as a business principle?"

The two men had occupied adjoining offices for years, and were close friends, and therefore frank with each other. Mr. Hyde took a minute to think of his friend's question. He had never thought of the matter before. "How do you mean?" he asked, needing more time to frame a reply.

"Why, just now you gave that boy a short answer that really was uncalled for. I dare say you were not so busy that you could not take a minute to see his wares. That was the 'short form.' A minute more would have been sufficient to send him away contented, whether you purchased or not."

"Right you are, Mr. Green," interrupted Mr. Hyde, "I might have taken the time, to be sure. In fact, I was not doing a thing when he came in. Of course you gave him an hour or so of your time."

To this friendly thrust Mr. Green replied, "I gave him a little time—about ten minutes. He knew his appliance, and could tell about it. I like it, too, and took one of him. Then I took a little of his time to find out how business goes with him. Do you know I like these young fellows who will make their way in spite of discouragements."

"Well, so do I, but I suppose I never analyze my likes and dislikes as you do, tho you don't seem to have many very pronounced dislikes. I might have examined the thing," repeated Mr. Hyde as he started for his own office. "Thanks for your little sermonette."

An hour later an errand took Mr. Hyde to another street. As he was transacting his business, Harold Paine came into the office. Mr. Hyde felt that he could note an almost imperceptible shade of disappointment on the boy's face when Harold's eyes met his. Their business completed, the merchant looked to his young caller with a pleasant "What can I do for you?" Mr. Hyde had no excuse for remaining, but he lingered until the boy had presented his errand, and then volunteered a recommendation, "Friends of mine say it is splendid. I want one myself."

"And I will take one, too," the merchant rejoined, "it looks good to me. How do they sell?" he continued to the enterprising agent.

"Quite readily, thank you," the happy boy replied, glad to tell of his work.

"Success to you," said the genial merchant, with a kind hand on the boy's shoulder, as he saw him out.

Mr. Hyde followed, to complete a bargain, for very naturally he would not care to speak of it there. "My lad," he called to Harold on leaving the store, "can you bring me one of those files when you deliver Mr. Green's?"

The bargain was speedily arranged, and both went on their ways. But before Mr. Hyde entered his own office, he called for a minute at his friend's door. "Do you want to know about my 'short form'?" he asked smilingly. "I have just seen my early caller, and have given him my order, thanks to your good suggestions and a few things I have observed."

"What have you observed?"

"Well, I have noticed a few little habits of my friend, Mr. Green. One of these habits is consideration for others. I saw that today in another man, too. He had time to give your friend, the agent for office fixtures, a hearing, to examine the device, and buy one, and to cheer him up with a good word and a friendly touch. So I followed the boy out and gave him my order, too. Bright chap that! I would not mind taking in a boy like that, if I thought he would endure me."

So it was that Mr. Hyde learned that his "short form," often so easy to use, won more dislike than affection. Almost impatiently, that busy, brusk man of business waited to try his newly-found power of consideration for the feelings of others on the unconscious cause of a real change of heart. Harold met an unexpected welcome when he delivered his file, and his open face indicated it, much to Mr. Hyde's pleasure. Thus human hearts are often touched by such little things as a word in season.