The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-10-25
The Life of q London Clerk.


The clerks, porters and employees of
our American stores and business houses
often complain of the strict rules which
bind them and the small pay which they
receive Yet if they compared their
work and pay with that of English clerks
of the same grade, they would find that
they are treated well.
The house of Hodge, Brown & Co., of
London, is engaged in the retail dry
goods business, and its sales amount
yearly to more than half a million
pounds sterling. Among its customers
it numbers many of the nobility. Item
ploys nearly four hundred clerks. This
small army of servants is governed by
strict rules and regulations, and each
one is accountable to the firm, not only
for his time during the entire "a hours,
but for the money which he receives as
pay for his services. To obtain posi-
ton in this house, one must produce
certificate of good character from his
last employer, or from the Squire of his
district, must be unmarried, and not add
dicted to the use of Intoxicating liquor,
with these requirements, one may be
employed at a salary of Is shillings per
week, or about four dollars and quar-
ter, and assigned to the dusting-squad.
For each one cot bed is supplied in
large dormitory over the salesroom
of the store, and all are boarded and
lodged by their employers, at an
expense of 10 shillings per week, which
sum is deducted each Saturday night
from their salary. The rooms which
they occupy are airy and comfortable,
and good food is furnished, well cooked
and well served. The business hours
are from in the morning to 6 at night
for the busting squad, and from 8 in the
morning until at night for the other
clerks, with 40 minutes out for break
fast and dinner. The time from tea till
IL O'Clock p. m, may be devoted to
recreation, but no one is allowed to Wis
it gambling-houses, or other disreputa-
bic places. At II, the doors are closed,
and all late corners are admitted by the
night-janiter, who takes their names
and reports them at the office the next
morning. Each report of this kind re-
duces the salary of the clerk one six
pence. The entire body of clerks are
required to dress in black, and to be
always neat. They must also have two
pairs of boots, so that they may con-
stantly wear a pair that is in proper or
der and well BACKED After six months
of faithful duty upon the busting squad,
a good man is promoted to the regular
squad. His work then begins at s in
stead of in the morning, and his pay
is increased to 20 shillings per week.
about five dollars in our money. While
on duty in the store, each man must
stand erect, never leaning upon the
counter or the shelves, and upon no ac-
count sitting down. No laughing or
loud talking is PERMITTED, no splitting
upon the floor, and all must OBJ
serve the same elegance of manner
that would be expected in a drawing
room. These rules are not pleasant
weather laws, but must be observed
whether the store is full of customers or
not. When a sale is made, ticket of
the goods is filled out by the salesman,
who then signs and hands it to his right
hand neighbor. 1t is the latter's duty
to verify it and sign it. This is then
carried Dy IlcKet-DOyS 10 the desk, where
it is placed upon file. In case of any
mistake in the bill, the drawer and en-
dorser are both held liable, and any de-
ficiency must be made up from their.
pockets. At the end of each week, and
after the doors of the salesroom are
closed for the night, the clerks form in
long likes and march through the office,
receiving each his pay and slip stating
how much, if any, is deducted, and for
what reason. From this decision there
is no appeal. The only remedy, in case
clerk deems himself injured or un-
Justly treated, is to resign his position
This, however,, very few do; for, other
than being considered hard, the life of
a clerk with Hodge, Brown & Co., is
looked upon by outsiders as a very
pleasant and desirable thing.