The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-01-26
REFORMING DRuNKARDs
How q New York Business Man
Secures Emcient Clerks.


Secures Emcient Clerks.
Business men of enterprise frequent
ly have novel ideas. says q 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
good 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 busi-
ness intercourse. A week ago hc 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
clerk who at once attracted his atten-
ton. He was a man past middle age,
with shabby genteel air that was very
str king. 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 il
some salesman of more prepossessing
appearance would not present himself
To his intense surprise. of the half doz-
en- clerks in sight all had the same air
of diIap dated gentility. Before he
could collect his senses the man beside 9
h m began to inquire as to the particu-
lar style of goods he desired to see.
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 person
who was thoroughly acquainted with
the proprietor of the dry goods store,
from whom he learned the secret of the
salesman's appearance. 1t seems that
the merchant conceived the idea of erl-
ploying as salesmen as many broken
down merchants in his line of business
rs he could find. He discovered that
most of the ex-employers who had fall
ed. and whom he could expect to secure
at such salaries as he was willing to pay,
were men whoes downfall was mainly
due to intemperance.
He discharged all the sober clerks
and employed a new batch OF broken
down merchants. Then he gathered
them all together and told them the con.
dltions under which they would have to
work. He first reminded them of their
failing and told them that they would
have to curb it,
'Now. gentleman" he is alleged to
have said. sit is not to be presumed
that inasmuch as 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." THE only 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 well as
for mine. What / am going to do is
this: am going to fix up rooms for
you on the top floor where you can stay
at night and sleep. 1 will have your
meals sent from restaurant near by
and you will be well fed ut my expense
You must not leave this establishment
except with my permission. but 1 will
see that you get plenty of fresh air and
out door exercise. will pay you we'll
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-
isfy your cravings for drink, you will
receive regular rations of whisky every
day. BY gradually diminishing the
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 mora
become respectable members of So
| ciety.
Nearly all acceded to the conditions.
Some have dropped out by breaking the
rules, for the proprietor is very strict,
but most of them have observed them
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 filled
by new men. As far as the proprietor
is concerned. he is said to have found
| it profitable plan.