The Somerset reporter., 1885-12-23
HENRY DAYElAN'S CHRISTMAS.
ny orr TRAVELLING MAN.

1t was the night of December 23d, 1876.
Henry Dayman stood in the counting room
of the great firm of Hudson, Bates 4 Co.
where he had been employed for -four
years n travelling salesman. As he start
ed to 90 home, one of the clerks informed
him, that Mr. Hudson, the senior member
of the house, wished to speak to him in
his private Office Mr.. Dayman, rctrac-
ing his steps entered Mr.. lIudson's private
apartment. The head of the house
glanced up ncrvously Is his cmployc en-
tered and said, "Ah, Mr. Dayman | would
like to see you a moment if You are not in
II hurry. BE seated please" While utter
ing these few words, he twisted about in
his chair and his manner at once put his
visitor i'll at ease. He knew that there
was bad news in store for him. In Il mo-
ment MIR. hudson commenced "you have
now been with us -four ycars-and four
hard years they have been i'll business too.
As you we'll know your sales, in common
with those of others, who travel for us,
have been light and the profits small, col
Letting fcarfully slow. Several OF your
best customers have rallied, cntaillnL upon
us heavy losses. Now while we do not
blame You and would not. If we could,
mold yOu responsible for these miSfOrtuncs,
we have, after Il careful consideration OF
the subject, decided to curtail our bust
ness to quite an extent and You being the
last to come, must naturally he the firSt to
leave. Much rs we regret the course Mr..
Dayman, vet we think it the best for all
conccrncd." As Mr. Hudson finished his
remarks he drew a long breath as though
he felt relieved and doubtless he did. Mr..
U,vmon hnd moi stirred n hair since he
.I1t
rmnlnvcr had said about business wa,
trur and he believed that he would not
h,vc brnn sacrificed had if not been i'm
nnrative Notvitbs,audiup all This it WAS
:, sad niece of news 10 him During these
rnur rcors he had lnhored hard and pa-
tirntlv far = small salary with the hope OF
AN advance .,as soon rs business revived"
nm Ills ,y,s tho "rrvival' that he was
rnllcd IN nnrtiripntc in. Here he was at
tho cua nf nm uucuu,nonly duh season
With ma situatinu and no nrosprct of any
800. =; 49,, $780,. =, L. !. lin. 49,,
,hr nnst yrnr Ills cvpcuscs had been I'M
n.nalI,. h.,,,. INT he hnd harm. mn uudrr
,hnu, n,nf,Ilv hnninu thai I'M. future
would hrino linn better reward for his
lohnr liz tIid not care so much for him
sclf Inf he had n widowed mother to sup
mont o,,l tho rhonun in his otIoirs WAS LA
HE to lessen her comforts After getting
control of his voice II little he asked Mr..
Hudson if there was not some position in
the store that he could fill until he was able
ia secure y situation. He said he was not
norticular ahout the work aS long a. it
wnuId rive him something to support him
self and mother uuon. Am sorry" re-
nlird Mr Ilndsou nbut rs Won will see a
| decrease in men ON the road must mean ii
very dccidcd emf down of our inside force.
/ have inst discharged two of our best
makers and If There is no Improvement in
business after New Years, two others
mist 70" This was the last straw and
Mr.. Dayman seeing that there was no
prospcct of his retaining his position or
even obtaining a more humble one, at
once started for home. His footsteps
were tired As he trod his way homcward.
He mt once determined not to tell his
mother of his i'll fortune for the present
| As the city clock announced the mid
night hour which followed the events
above described, an alarm of fire is rung
out on the cold night of the great city.
| An alarm of fire is terrible at any time
l. ;T ~, l,~ Sti