Jacob had heard so much about Mrs. Ruffner’s severity from his room owner that he was almost afraid to meet her. In the evening, he reached at Mrs. Ruffner’s house. Jacob stood at the main gate and was looking at the house and said to himself,” What a big house. I have never seen any house like this.”
In the meantime, watchman saw him and asked,” Who are you? How can I help you?”
“My name is Jacob. I am here in search of work. I heard that Mrs. Ruffner wants a servant, so that’s why I came here.” answered Jacob.
“Okay I have to ask from ma’am first, then what instructions she give to me, I will have to do that accordingly.”
“Okay ”
Watchman went inside and said to Mrs. Ruffner about Jacob. After some time watchman came out and said,” You can go inside.”
“Alright..thank you.” said Jacob.
Jacob entered the gate. He was amazed to see the beauty of the house. There was a small lawn in front of house. And it was so fascinating. Everywhere there was greenery, which was keeping the eyes calm. The plants were also cut in different shapes. Further distinct flowers were there. Besides everywhere was very clean and silence. Jacob entered in the house while watching all this. Likewise lawn, house was clean too. Everything placed in a promptly and systematic way. It was just like a dream for him.
He met with Mrs. Ruffner. Foremost she seemed a little bit rude to him yet courageously he said,”Good evening ma’am. My name is Jacob and I am looking for job.”
“Hmm.. have you do any other work or what work you can do.” asked Mrs. Ruffner.
“Currently I work in coal mine and whatever work you will say to do I will do it.”
“Oh.. you work in coal mine. So you always remains in dirt. Nonetheless I want that person who keeps itself absolutely clean and his surrounding.”
“No ma’am after work I keep myself completely clean.” said Jacob politely.
“Okay.. are you going to quit your job of coal mine and work here?” inquired Mrs. Ruffner.
“No, actually I want this job as part time work.” said Jacob hesitatingly.
“However I need a full time worker. Hence, I can’t…”
Crossing her words. Jacob said,” Ma’am please give me one chance I will not disappoint you.”
After thinking for a while, Mrs. Ruffner said,” Alright, I will give you a chance. Come with me, first I have a task for you.”
Mrs. Ruffner took the Jacob in a filthy room and said,” I want this room to be like a crystal clear. On condition that if you will able to do it, afterwards I will give you this job. But if you will not put yourself on my expectations later I’ll not give you second chance. And you will have only an hour to complete it.”
“Okay ma’am.. thank you for giving me a chance.”
“Now, lets start your work. You have only limited time.”
Mrs. Ruffner left the room and Jacob started doing his work. While cleaning the room he thought,” I have to do it anyhow, otherwise I will loss this opportunity. Moreover if I loss it, I will face lots of difficulties in future.”
Exactly after an hour, Mrs. Ruffner was coming. In the way she thought that in just an hour it is difficult to clean a grubby and messy room. She was astonished to saw the room. The room looked very clean and tidy. She touched the table and swipe her finger to check if there was any dirt or not. She walked around the room, looked at every side and touched other things as well but she didn’t get a pinch of dirt from any corner.
She asked,” How did you do that in such a less time.”
“This I have learnt from my mother how to clean. Additionally while working in the coal mine, I learned how to stay clean. I clean this room two to three times and the result is in front of you.” answered Jacob.
“It’s very impressive.”
“Can I get this job now.” asked Jacob.
“Yes …but there is one problem. I want a full time worker.”
“I will come early in the morning and go to coal mine only after completing my work here. Further as I will finish my work from coal mine, I will again come here and accomplish the rest of my work.”
“Well I will see for few days whether it works then you will allowed to work further.”
“Okay ma’am…Thank you so much.”
Jacob was very happy. He returned to his room with a box of sweets. He shared his happiness with his room owner. Furthermore he told his room owner that he got job in Mrs. Ruffner’s house. Also told about all the scenes happened in her house that how he had to clean a filthy room in such a less time. Besides firstly she didn’t agree about his part time job but later on she consented.
His room owner was glad to hear this and told him,” Now, do your work with full dedication. And don’t lose hope like other servants. Initially other workers worked well later they gave up. Apart from this you just keep focus on your work. Don’t take Mrs. Ruffner’s words to heart. And congratulations for your job.”
“Thank you so much uncle.” said Jacob merrily.