Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-01-18
Douglas. in opening the evening paper,
observed the following advertisement

observed the following advertisement.
|. Boy wANrEp, in the store ofthe subscr;ber. I. To
the right one, gOOd induce ments will be offered
Applications received at she store. No Wash
ington street. FRAScis .EeERToS.
THAT will be just the place for you,
George" said Mr. Douglas, laying down the
paper. ''Mr. Egerton's store is one of the
principal ones iuihe city. 1t would be better
worth while for boy to enter that. even at
less rate of compensation, than a smaller one;
he would be likely to learn more of business.
Yon had better call there early tomorrow
morning
Very well, sir" said George; ST will do
So"
George Douglas felt quite an earnest desire
to osucceed in this application, not only because
it would be good situation, but because his
pride. of which he had large amount, would
be flattered by his being so successful, where
others failed to obtain any situation at ALL
Accordingly he started early for the city
and took his way at once to the store indicated
in the advertisement. He entered the place
which after the fashion of Boston stores was
narrow. but running back some distance from
the front. He could see from the number of
clerks behind the counters that large busi>
ness must be carried on in the establishment,
and his desire on entering it increased
O"iuS " tHS SOuutOII nc huuLUsSeu JUG VI tue
clerks:
"Can see Mr.. Egerton ?"
eyes. You will find him in the Office at
the end of the store"
George followed the direction indicated,
and reached the Office. which was a little room
partitiOned off from the rest of the store.
''He entered, hesitatinSly, and glanced at a
gentleman who was writing at a desk The
gentlemen looked up as he entered. and
George somewhat to his dismay, recognized
in him the same person he had refused to
oblige in the omnibus some time before"
II have come," he said, with some confu-
sion of manner, hoping, however that he
should not be recognized in turn, "to apply for
the situation which you adverties to be filled
by boy"
at appears to me-" said Mr.. Egerton,
quietly, THAT have seen you before. Were
you not the boy who declined giving up your
seat to my wife on one occasion ?"
George did not answer, but looked very
uncomfortable.
81 see that you are am afraid, my boy,
that you will not suit me-
George was turning away in disappointment,
when Mr.. Egert0n called him back.
Il wish you" he said, 'sto understand why
it is that l decline taking you. 1t is not
ihClSIS mum ihONINS vi dustI. btGduSt YOU
refused to oblige me, although, under the cir
cumstances, that might be supposed to disin>
cline me to your application, but because it
indicated general lack of disposition to
ohlige. Now. in our busines. or indeed. in
any, it is very important thing that those
who are employed should be as affable aud
obliging possible. One who possesses these
qualities will sell from two to three times as
much as one who is deficient You under
stand, therefore, the reason why decline to
take you"
George left the store not little crestfallen.
On the way the encountered Arthur, who was
entering on similar errand. lie nodded
cOldly, not feeling very social, and Arthur
was moment after III the presence Of the
merchant, to whom lie modestIy preferred his
request. He did not recognize Mr.. Egerton,
but the memory of the latter was more faith
full
Il will engage you at once" said Mr.. Egg
erton, promptly. Il see by your manner that
you do not remember the favor you once did
me in yielding your seat to my wife. That
assures me that you are of an obliging dis
position, and will make valuable clerk"
Arthur's qualification will easiy be i'm
agined. He eutered upon his duties at once,
and at the present time is considered the most
efficient clerk in the store.
George Douglas did not succeed in obtain-
ing place for some time. Now, at the age
of twenty>one, he receives only one third the
salary which Arthur commands. He COM
plains bitterly of this, but does not take the
only means to remedy 1.-THE cultivation of Il
disposition to oblige; which, perhaps, as
much as anything else, is the true secret of
SUCCESS in life.