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The House That McGovern Built

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 5, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 6.

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The House That McGovern Built

RECENTLY I attended an auction sale of real estate, and while viewing a piece of property that was under the auctioneer's hammer, was impressed by the effect of a simple statement that the auctioneer made when he was about to let his hammer fall for the third time. He had succeeded in raising the bids until the five-thousand-dollar mark was reached, but that seemed to be the limit.
"Gentlemen," said the auctioneer, raising his hammer for the third time, "I am offered but five thousand dollars for this house,—a house built by Henry McGovern; who will give me fifty-five hundred?"
A gentleman nodded in the affirmative. "Fifty-five hundred I have; give me six thousand."
Another gentleman motioned to the auctioneer.
"Six thousand I have; give me sixty-five hundred."
The former bidder nodded again.
"Sixty-five hundred I have; give me seven thousand."
"It was strange what a jump the bidding took when the auctioneer mentioned the builder," I remarked to a bystander, as the crowd broke up.
"You must be a stranger about here," said the gentleman. "McGovern has a great reputation as a builder, and justly so. If he builds a house, you can be sure that honest work has been put into it from the cellar to the ridgepole."
Seventeen hundred dollars for conscientious work! McGovern, were he to learn of it, might well feel proud of his reputation.
A few days later I learned more of McGovern, the contractor. A carpenter had come to him well recommended as an efficient workman. The first day that he worked for McGovern, the latter stepped up behind him and arrested his arm as he was about to drive home a nail.
"What are you using that split piece of joist for?"
"The boarding will cover it up," said the carpenter.
McGovern took out his notebook and wrote a few words. "Take this to the office and get a week's pay," he said. "I can't afford to keep you any longer."—Wellspring.