The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-03-23

Trained by one Of the Clerks-HoW I
Sold a pair Of Side Combs Green
11ck.
In my last / promised TO say some
thing in my next about "LearningstOre-
kcepiag at Mr.. Mdccr0cken's, Lancaster,
Ohio. Alter father had entered into
verbal agreement with the Frcnchman
Mr.. II. D. Bale, for the purchase Of
his stock of goods on hand in the old
log cabin, it was. however, advisable
to send me TO Lancaster TO learn the
\" Storekeeping business before We
would enter into such an important
enterprise. "a.
So father and / went to Lancaster
and called on Gen. Maccracken, who
was one Of the leading merchants in
that place, and as we concluded to
purchase our goods at this house
father thought this would be the most
suitable place to put me. This was an
important era in the history of my
lite. No green country bo ever felt
more anxious to be storvhreper than
| did. Then it must be remembered,
too, that the time for me to learn was
short. ] had only three weeks time
allowed for me to stay, as Mr., Bolle
wanted 10 leave about the middle OF
April. Therefore the time was short,
tor that was the time for us TO take
possession Of his old cabin and stock
oi goods. ....
Mr.. Maccracken invited US to a seat
in his counting. room. The surround
ings and my pc c-uIiar errand that day
made me feel little strange. / was
afraid that Mr.. NJ. had no use for such
green hand as | was Then all
eyes seemed turred towards me, espe-
ciaIly did the old General eye me very
closely. | thought could see a smile
from the clerks. But | wao not bash
full; ! was iice and answered questions
when spoken to.
We'll Henry said Mr.. NJ. "would
you like to be storekeeper" "? YES
sir, | am willing to try my best,
Well sir, l think we can make a mcr-
chant out of you" said the old gentle
man. Monday was The day. think
when | entered on my apprenticeship
I was active, but awkward at this
new business. but was willing to dc
anything the clerks would tell me tc
do, The custom in those days was, tc
let all the gouds lie on the counter un,
I'll evening that were taken down du
ring the day in showing them to Gus
toners. When evening came all hands
pitched in TO set in order the tangleC
goods. l noticed how expert ant
quick the clerks handled the goods
| was very anxious to learn and triet
to initiate them Accordingly, ! too
pitched in with ull'my might striking
and pounding on the calicos, &C., Will,
the clerks smiled. ! could now mucl
better act il out in person and initiate
my folding up of goods in 1928, thar
| can describe it. The first entry oi
chatgo that | made in the day book
was for n pound OF coffee to Mr.. Henry
Drum. 1t was as follows: Henry
Drums son to one pound coffee 2t
cents"
Henry t. Myers, one of the junior
clerks, took the lead in teasing and
training me. | remember trick be
played on me one day at funeral or
the hill. A gentleman was buried by
The Masonic Order. This had never
seen before. Henry come to where
was standing and Whispered to me
Now, Henry, when the man draws
out his sword you must pull off youl
hat" OF course | was an obedien
boy, and did as was told. The re
suit was when we came back to the
store he exposed me before all the
clerks. | would willingly bear al
This, and more too and not grumble
if | could only be II "Storekeeper.'
took everything very patient; never
showed signs Of grum or made t
sour face, for ! came to obey orders.
My first orders were: | must no
keep my hat on my head in the store
Secondly, l must not stand outside th,
store during business hours, although
we had no customers to wait on at tn,
time, Tor it would look as trough no
much business was doing in the store
Thirdly, | must be accommodating il
showing goods to customers. Fourth
| was told, us SOON us customer enter
the store, must go towards him o.
her and ask them, What can | ge
for YOU" &c. Monday morning wa
the time for general uverhauling ant
fix up and brush off, especially i'll til,
crockery and hardware side OF th'
house.
Now, reader, will you allow me here
to relate II very green trick Of mine
You must make allowance | was in
nUcent and meant nothing vulgar il
what | said. But l made myself /
complete laughing stock for all tn,
clerks. Indeed it is not to be won
dered at that green boy like me
should not always call things bJ
their right name. How could know
and learn the names Of 30 many thing
which | had never seen before AS
stated before, l was told to pay atten
ton and wait on customers as soon IA
they come in. think it was on Mon
day while George Myers. Henry L
Myers, Mr.. IIettick, it | remombel
right, perhaps Mr.. Dresbach, VIII,
were all in the back part and west enC