Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-05-29
ONE CENT A MONTH.
John Smiths MunifIcent Salary for
Three Years.

AT the Pacific club few evenings ago the
talk turned on the curiOsities of mathemat-
les, and che of the group said: Year before
last bright-lOOking young man entered cur
countlng-rOon in response to an advertise
ment for an assistant shipping clerk. lie
tod the usual tale of how he desired posi-
ton 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 afternoon,
and said pleasantly to the new conner:
"Well, sir, what would you consider
nominal salary? What would you be will
ing to accept in beginning?'
The young man picked at the lining of his
hat with his fingers, and deferentially re-
piled:
Il want to show you, sir, that | mean
business, and will work for one cent the
remainder of this month, providing you
think it would not be too much to double
my salary each month thereafter"
That's a novel proposition, surely" said
the old man with a smile. "DO you know
! what you are talking about, my dear bOy?'
1
business" responded the young fellow, and
would be almost willing to work for moth
ing. but I'd like to feel and be able to say
that / was earning something, you know
| "Tll take you," remarked the old man,
decisively. Zone cent. two cents, fOur cents,
eight, sixteen" lie enumerated. You
wont get much for n while, he added.
/ IL 10 ha il
John Smith," he said. ale will 90 &, work
as assistant shipping clerk to morrow. His
salary will be cent this month. Double it
every month from now on"
I'm consideration of MY working for the
small salary, / might ask you to assure me
a position for a definite periOd?' inquired
John Smith.
1--WE don't usually do that" replied the
governor, "but we can't lose much on you,
anyhow, guess, and you look like an hon.
est fellow. How long do you want employ
ment?'
Three years, sir. if agreeable to you"
| We'll, by JOve, the old man agreed. and
young Mr.. Smith, on pretense OF wanting
some evidence of the stability OF his place.
got the governor TO write out and sign a
paper tHdt lie ndu ptcll Sut dnactua poci'olI
i'm the house for three years on the terms
have stated.
He worked along for six months without
drawing a cent. FIFE said he would draw all
his earnings at Christmas. The cashier
one day thought he'd figure up how much
would be coming to the young man. He
grew so interested in the project that he
K. ut multiplying for the three years. The
result almost staggered him. This is the
column of figures be took TO the old man:
First month. .01: second, OF: third, "a ;
fourth, .0S; fifth, 10; sixth, -; seventh,
"a: eighth, Sl.x; ninth, S2.56; tenth, S.. IL !;
eleventh, S10.2; twe lfth. s2o.4S; thirteenth,
s4O.96; fourteenth. $S1.92: fifteenth, Sl63.A +:
eighteenth, 81 ,311 ~; nineteenth, so, 623. A ;
twentieth, s., GAG SO; twentyfirst, $40, 493. rs
twenty-secOnd, s3O,9s7.52; twenty-third,
S41.975O4; twenty-fOurth, SS3, 9500S; twen-
ty-fifth, 1857 900, 16: twenty-slxtb, S3S5, 800
80; twenty-seventh, SGT, 6OO.64; twenty
eighth, 81, 343, 210.2S; twenry-ninth, S2,6S6 4,
402 So; thirtleth, s., 372. S05.12: thirty-first,
$40, 745, 6104; thirty-secOnd, S2l, 49l 30. As
thlrty-thlrd. S42. $50, 1895; thirty-fOurth,
SIS, 964. ISL %; thirty-tifth, Sill .9e9, 1854
thirty sixth, S343, S5s, 5270e.
The governor nearly tainted when he un'
derstoOd how, even II he were twice as rich
as Vanderbilt, he would be ruined In pay
ing John Smiths salary. He concluded tC
discharge the modest young man at once
, Smith had figured up how much would bt
due him, and reminded the old man Of hi:
written agreement Rather than take chan
ces in courts and let every body know how
he had been duped, the governor paiC
Smith 5000 and babe him goodbye. I've
heard he tried the same dodge in Chicago
after leaving here.