The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-07-20
ONE CENT A MONTH.
John Smiths Munificent Salary for
Three Years.

At the Pacific club few evenings ago
the talk turned on the curiosi,ies OF
mathematics. and one OF the group said !;
Year before last bright looking young
man entered ouf counting-room in re.
sponse to an advertisement for an as
sistant shipping clerk. He told the usual
tale OF how be desired position more
than wages for the time being, and was
willing to accept nominal salary to
start in on. The old man was feeling in
a particularly good humor that after.
noon, aDd said pleasantly to the new
conner:
! "Well, sir, what would you consider a
nominsl salary? What would You be
willing 70 accept in beginning
The young man picked at the lining
OF his hat with his fingers, and deterrent.
tally replied:
81 want TO show you, cir, that mean
business, and l will work for one cen,
the remainder of this month, providing
you think it would not be loo much to
double my salsry each month thereafter !"
"That's novel proposition, surely"
said the old man with smile. "Do You
know what you are talking about, my
dear boy
"Well, sir, my principal aim 10 to
learn the business" responded the young
fellow. and l would be almost willing to
work for nothing, but I'd like to feel
and be able to say that / was earning
something, you know"
III take you" remarked the old man, !,
decisively. "One cent, two cents, four
cents eight cents, SIXTEEN" be enumera-
ted. "You won't get much for while"
be added
He took him up to the cashier. "This
is John Smith," be said. "He will 90
TO work as assistant shipping clerk to-
morrew. His salary will be one cent
this month. Double itevery month from
now on"
"In consideration OF nv working for
The small salary, might ask you to as
sure me position for deinate period 2"
inquired John Smith
"We don't usually do that" replied
the governor, shut we can't lose much
on you anyhow, guess, and you look
like an honest fellow How long do you
want employment
"Three years, sir, il agreesble to you !"
Well, by Jove. the old man agreed,
and young Mr.. Smith, on pretense of
wanting come evidences Of the stability
of the place, got the governor to write
out and sign paper that be had been
guaranteed position in the house for
three years on the terms / have stated
He worked along for six months With.
out drawing cent. He said he would
draw all his earnings at Christmas. The
cashier one day thought bed figure up
how much wonld be coming to the young
man. he grew so interested in the pro.
ject that be kept multiply ing for the
three years. The result almost siagger-
ed him. This is the column of figures
be took to the old man:
First month, .01 second, .02; ehird,
.04; fourth, .0S, fiitb, .16; sixth, 81;
seventh, GA; eighth, Sl.2S; ninth. e.
S.; tenth, S5.12; eleventh, 61024;
twelfth, S20.4S; thirteenth, $40.98;
fourteenth, SSl.92; fifteenth, S16S 81 ;
sixteenth, $527.68; seventeenth, $685.
36; eighteenth, S1,3l1.72; nineteenth,
$2,623.44; twentieth, S5,246.SS; TWEEN.
ty-first, SIC, ,493 76; twenty-second, $40,
9S7. 81; twenty-third, $41, ,975.04; TWEEN
ty-fourth. $S3,95O.0S; wenty-fftb,
S167, 900 I6; twenty sixth. $685., SOC. 80 !;
twenty-seventh, $67l, ,600.64; twenty.
eighth, 81, 1893, ,2l0.2S, twenty ninth, e.
$50. .402.56; thirtietb. $5.372.804 IL !;
thirty first, $10,745.6l0.24; tbirty-sec-
ond, S21, ,491, ,220 4S; thirty-third, S42..
9S2, 440.96; thirty-fourth, $S5,964. $751;
80; thrty-ffth, $17l.929, ,763 "a thirty.
sixth, 343,S5S,527.6S.
The governor nearly tainted when be
understood how, even il be was twice
as rich as Vanderbilt, be would be ruin
ed in prying John Smiths salary. He
concluded to dischargethe modest young
man at once. Smith had figured up how
much would be due him, and reminded
the old man OF his written agreement.
Rather than, take chances in courts and
let everybody know how be had been
duped, the governor paid Smith $4,000
and bade him goodbye. I've heard he
tried the same dodge in Chicago alter
leaving here.-The Western Ploscman.
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