New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-01-25
REFORMING DRUNkARDs.
How New York Business Man
Secures Efficient Clerk s..

How New York Business Man
Secures Efficient Clerks.
Business men of enterprise frequent-
" have novel ideas, says letter from
New York, but probably the most Curl
Gus mode of conducting trade that has
come to light even in this city of odd
freaks, is that adopted by wholesale
dealer in notions and dry goods on
Broadway near Howard street. His
name is kown to dealers in that line of
goods through the country, and his
store is probably one OF the largest of
this kind, but, as his secret was confid-
ed to me under the promise not to re-
veal his identity, feel bound to with
hold it, at the same time vouching for
! the correctness of the story
My friend became acquainted with this
merchants peculiar idea through BUSH
ness intercourse. A week ago be en-
tered the store, intending to purchase
some dry goods that had been advertis-
ed very cheap. AS he stepped over
the threshold he was accosted by a
clerk who at once attracted his atten-
ton He was a man past middle age.
with shabby genteel air that was very
striking. His face was rather bloated.
his eyes blinked and were red. his
hands trembled, and his breath was re-.
dolent of strong drink. My friend was
amazed, and looked around to see if
some salesman of more prepossessing
appearance would not present himself.
TO bis intense surprise, of the half doz :
en- clerks in sight all had the same air
of dilapidated gentility. Before he
could collect his senses the man beside
hlm began to inquire as to the particu-
lar style of goods he desired to see.
His voice, though harsh and discord-
ant. had some pleasing and attractive
qualities, and it was evident that his
understanding of the business was
thorough.
A few days later, he met a person
who was thoroughly acquainted with
the proprietor of the dry goods store,
from whom he learned the secret of the
salesman appearance. 1t seems that
the merchant conceived the idea of EN-
ploying as statesmen as many broken
down merchants in his line of business
as he could find. He discovered that
most of the ex-employers who had fail
ed. and whom he could expect to secure
atsuch salaries AS he was willing to pay,
were men whoes downfall was mainly
due to intemperance. q.
He discharged all the sober clerks
and employed o new batch Of broken
down merchants. Then he gathered
them all together and told them the con-
d'tions under which they would have to
work. He first reminded them of the il
failing and told them that they would
have to curb it.
Now, gentlemam,' he is alleged to
have said. sit is not to be presumed
that, inasmuch is you could not keep
sober when your own business interests
were involved. You will be able under
ordinary circumstances to stop drink
ing because [ want you to do so. Even
if YOU don't get drunk during business
hours your bats at night will probably
incapacitate you for work the next
day 1.-The onl y way to prevent that
is to keep you from temptation even
when you are not actually at work.
That will be for your interests as we'll as
for mine. What I am going to do is
this: [ am going to>fx up rooms for
you on the top floor where you can stay
at night and sleep. I will have YOUR
meals sent from restaurant near bv
and you will be well fed at my expense.
4ou must not leave this establishment
except with my permission, but will
see that you get plenty of fresh air and
out door exercise. | will pay you we II
and will expect you to do your utmost
to sell my goods just as though you
were yourselves the proprietors. At
any time you want to quit. of course
You need only say so. In order to sat-
lsfy your cravings for drink, you will
receive regular rations of whisky every
day. BY gradually diminishing tie
quantity. the grip it has upon you will
be loosened. You can save money and
with perseverance you will be able to
give up your bad habits and once more
become respectable members of So
cietv.
Nearly all acceded to the conditions.
Some have dropped out by breaking the
rules, fol, the proprietor is very strict,
but most of them have observed the m
faithfully. A few have been able to
overcome their passion and have start
ed in business for themselves again.
AS they drop out their places are filed
by new men. AS far as the proprietor
is concerned, he is said to have found
tia profitable plan.