The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-05-30
THE JUNIOR PARTNER.
A Modern Application OF the Hare
and Tortoise Fable

and Dick Perchmont shut his ledger a.
if they marked an epoch. They did
The probability was that he would
never place in it another figure, lol
five more years were ended. and, nc
cording to the policy Of Deaker & Co,
publishers. the senior OF four partners
would retire on the morrow and q
trusted employee would become the
junior.
Having risen from office-boy to CHIEF
book-keeper, Dick felt quite certain Of
this promotion. and was. in conse.
auence, nightly impressed with his
Importance. FOR it MAS an exalted
distinction to lie Deaker. The firm
was power in financial circles; but
what served most to lift Dick skyward
was that to the highest society Of the
great city its name was a passport.
Tom he said to his assistant,
you'll occupy this desk after today
Tom Wilgus penciled footing, then
slowly replied:
You'll become the junior"
Certainly. Come, it's time to
quit"
Cant just yet. ! haven't finished
squaring up these accounts. I'm
rather SLOW"
YES" said Dick, with superiority,
'.Tom, you are slow. You must be
more brisk and enterprising. In five
years, you know, you'll have my pres
ent glorious prospect, and unless
you're spryer it'll be y serious ques.
tion ii you'll be taken in.
He slid off the high stool and began
preparations for going home. while
Tom Wilgus. with pen behind his ear,
turned around and seriously asked:
DO you really think, Dick, that I'm
TOO slow? ! can't waste time here il
TIM nc. to become partner. I've toe
many depending on me- ] know I'm
slow and cautious; but am I too much
so:"
Yes, Tom, you are Your traits are
adverse TO the dashing. go-ahcad pol
Icy of Deaker and Company Now,
when was in your place l made spry.
ness point, and did lots Of Emmert's
work as well as my own. And do you
think the firm hasn't noticed that? No
Stree
James Emmert was then junior part.
ner, having been promoted five years
before.
"f1. haven't forgotten the old fable
about the turtle ana ..s hare. have
you, Dick?" Tom asked. in mild re
taliation.
mo, haven't" replied Dick, smil.
ing loftily; but 1t don't apply to these
modern times. You amt catching 1
firm like ours sleeping by the kay ant
letting any mercantile turtle win thu
race. That was the only time turtle
ever did win a race. which is mora
you'd do we'll to profit by, Wilgus."
With which impressive advice tn,
future Deaker strutted forth to a car
Dick Perchmont, as book-keeper
had wooed Annie Jermyn. a youns
lady OF his suburban neighborhood
whose plain, Old-fashioned, practica
sense was refreshing: and richl,
blessed was she in those wOmanl,
traits that stand firm and helpful
when sorrow and adversely sweel
away human chaff.
But could Richard Perchmont, Us.
Deaker, marry such a girl? The mos
exclusive circles would soon be opel
10 him. Would he wish to take Ami
Jermyn there? Would she be re
ceiyed? Could she grace scene O
gayety; be Il belle amid bellies; b
what Deaker's wife should be; Xix
--well, like sophia Emmert. the flash
Ing daughter of the Junior partner?
NO" he dccisiyely answered. as h
pulled the bell ut Annle's humbl
home.
Easily detecting his mood, Ami
was not unprepared for the words h
soon spoke:
''Annie. my position in life will b
greatly elevated: Tomorrow - $50.
You will become the junior par
ner.' she quietly replied.
Yes; but you don't congratulate
me, Annie"
Yes, do. Dick; but will you let II
be frank with you? ] see by 70,
manner that the time for plain speec
between Us has come. Will you?'
Yes; If you wish"
well, then, I've seen great chang
coming over you. You're not the sam
Dick fused to know. Your bright pro-
poets are always in your mind, drivin
out INCH o. The kindness and friendl
ness OF my old frtsnd. Dirk. you al
an~{nss doxulad l,ss ,,a,lr nnfi6,i mn III Aaa {