Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-30
THE JUNIOR PARTNER.
A Modern Application OF the Hare
and Tortoise Fable.

Five strokes from the Office clock,
and Dick Perchmont shut his ledger as
if they marked an epoch. They did
The probability was that he would
never place in it another figure, for
Eve more years were ended. and. &C
cording to the policy of Deaker & Co..
publishers, the senior of four partners
would retire on the morrow and
trusted employe would become the
junior.
Having risen from office-boy to chief
book-keeper. Dick felt quite certain of
this promotion, and was, in conse-
quence, nightly impressed with his
Importance. For it was an exalted
distinction to be Deaker. The firm
was a power in financial circles; but
what served most to lift Dick slzyward
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 to-day"
Tom Wilgus penciled q footing, then
slowly replied:
you'll become the Junior"
Certainly. Come, it's time to
quit
Cant just yet I 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
emit glorious prospect, and unless
you're spryer it'll be serious ques-
ton if you'll be taken in"
He slid OF 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 slowP I can't waste time here if
I'm not to become partner. I've too
many depending on me. / know I'm
slow and cautious; but am too much
soP''
Eyes, Tom, you are. Your traits are
adverse to the dashing. go-ahead pol
icy of Deaker and Company. Now,
when was in your place made spry-
ness a 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.
You haven't forgotten the old fable
about the turtle and the hare. have
you, DickP" Tom asked. in mild re.
taliation.
mo. haven't" replied Dick, smil-
ing loftily; ''but itdon't apply to these
modern times. You amt catching q
firm like ours sleeping by the way and
letting any mercantile turtle win the
race That was the only time a turtle
ever did win q race, which is q moral
you'd do well to profit by, Wilgus."
With which impressive advice the
future Deaker strutted forth to a car.
Dick Perchmont. as book-keeper
had wooed Annie Jermyn. a young
lady of his suburban neighborhood.
whose plain, old-fashioned, practical
sense was refreshing; and richly
blessed was she in those womanly
traits that stand firm and helpful
when sorrow and adversely sweep
away human chaff.
But could Richard Perchmont, as 9
Deaker, marry such q girl? The most
exclusive circles would soon be open
to him. Would he wish to take Annie
Jermyn therep Would she be re.
ceivedp Could she grace q scene Of
gayety; be belle amid bellies; be
what Deaker's wife should be; like
well. like Sophia Emmert. the flash.
ing daughter of the junior partner?
..No." he lecisively answered. as he
pulled the bell at Annle's humble
home
Easily detecting his mood. Annie
was not unprepared for the words hs
soon spoke:
..Annie. my position in life viii b
greatly elevated Tomorrow.