The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-17

No it is not so good as we had reason to
hope 1t would be. In the first place, the
sales are very small, and do not show ener-
gy in pushing the business then the gross
profits are small, unless the losses from bad
debts are more than they ought to be, and
the expenses are too much for the amount
of business done, Still you may safely say,
that what was done last year, will be ac-
complished again this year, and you are
really sure of this much income, with
good probability of increasing it."
"But it seems to me we ought to have at
least ten per cent. on our money, Uncle
John" said " and think if the business
had been pushed energetically, we would
have had twice as much"
"There is no doubt of that, but Gay
has always depended upon your father, and
Ellis has done the same. Gay is first
rate man to attend to the books and watch
the accounts, but he can't make an ener-
getic general manager"
"I wish could put some energy into
him." said.
"Why not go into the store and look
after things little ?" he asked.
"Nothing would suit me better"
care you in earnest?"
"I was, but didn't suppose you were,"
was my answer.
F" really was not, when spoke, but
upon my word, see nothing to prevent"
said he. "You have good judgment, and
| ;f ho1 haa,, n hoxta hoH
you in there long ago"
"Let us see Mr.. Gay about it," said.
On our way there Uncle thought up
what he should say.
Mr.. Gay and Ellis followed us into the
office, and after few common place re-
marks, Uncle came to the point.
Gentlemen, my niece has been to see
me about the last years business, and I
share her disappointment in the result"
"We were disappointed in it ourselves"
said Mr.. Gay.
az presume So" said Uncle John. "Now
Kate thinks, and agree with her, that
her head is worth something though it is
woman's. She would like to come in
here and take some part in the business
think she would be valuable acquisi-
tion to the house and we are here able to
talk the matter over"
/" But what could you do Kate ?" asked
Mr.. Gay.
81 can, at least, take the place of an en-
try clerk" said, " if nothing more"
/ will tell you what she will do, said
Uncle John. She will prove herself as
good buyer as there is in the trade she
will see places to practice economy that
you have not she will have ideas about
doing business that you will find val
uable."
81 think you might be help to us,
Kate" said MI. Gay, heartily, "and ! will
be glad to have you take hold with u.s."
$50 will l." said Ellis, just as heartily,
and it was settled.
Mother was somewhat opposed to it when
told her, and May was inclined to think
it would affect our social position; but both
finally came to my view, and began life
! as business woman"
At first, l was merely an assistant clerk
but caught the business names and terms
and strove to bring my handwriting from
the cramped feminine, to plain business
} style, and succeeded. Then we discharged
}. the entry clerk, and ! assumed his duties.
When had moments leisure time,
gave it to studying the goods, their names
and uses. After / had become familiar
. with these, took up, the subject of cost,
and then of the selling prices in our mark
: ct and by the end of May was pretty well
: posted. frequently visited Uncle John,
and many little bits of practical wisdom
came to me out of his experience.
Our force in the store consisted of Mr..
Gay Ellis, "house man. and the porter;
we kept one man on the road soliciting or
ders. My experience so far had shown me
l that our travelling man was not first class
} salesman. He had been with the house
, several years, and was a good, honest man,
but not very energetic or ambitious salts
fled to keep such trade as he had, with
{ out trying to add to it.
We had several talks about him, and
l while Mr.. Gay agreed with me in my esti-
mate of him, he said it would be impossi-
, bic to replace him, by man who would
{ do any better. One day one Of our custo-
mers, after settling his account announced
+ to Mr.. Gay, that he had closed up his bus
mess in the country, and was ready to take
t hold of something in the city.
had observed the man when he was