Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-08-01
A PECULIAR OCCUPATION.

morning recently, making everybody Ieel
uncomfortable by the excess of humidity
with which it charged the atmosphere,
was slowly being dispelled by the
strengthening rays of the sun, when Ralph
Williams, stout, clean-shaven man,
came out of an old-fashioned house on
East Third street. He paused on the
stone steps and looked at his watch. 1t
was just u o'clock. He stroked his chin
rehectively, and started across town at a
sharp pace. ,r
He was man who would be likely to
attract attention by his appearance any
where outside of New York. He was
typical townsman, faultlessly dressed,
with an air of self-possession, pair of
keen yet laughing blue eyes, and we'll
trained moustache. He was unquestion-
ably good -natured, yet there was some
thing in his face which told that he could
not be trifed with. He moved with erect
figure and rapid stride through the
hurrying throng of men and women, lads
and maidens, boys and girls that were
Fastening to their work. At Broadway
he turned up town and walked as far as
Fourteenth street, and then started across
i town again.
Between Fifth and Sixth avenues he
stopped at one of the big dry goods stores
and went in. The big establishment was
echoing with the sounds of bustling ac-
tivity. The clerks and cash girls were
busy taking down cloth covers from the
shelves and counters, and busters were
being piled in vigorous fashion. Floor
walkers were rushing about in an appar-
emily excited manner ordering the dispo-
sition of newly arrived stock, fixing upon
the articles for the "bargain" counter,
and preparing to have everything in ship
shape order before the arrival of the days
customers.
As Mr.. Williams walked up the centre
aisle he was greeted by the clerks and
floor walkers, and nodding smiling
"good morning" to each. He stopped
here and there to make some bantering
remark, which was always responded to,
for, in spite of all the rush, the clerks
found plenty of time to talk, and the
waggings of tongues and the hum o.
chatter were very perceptible.
"Mr. Williams, the Superintendent
wants to see you"
| This remark came from a big-eyed
Small-bodied, cash girl. The smile dice
away from Mr.. Williams's face and {
very serious expression took its place. HI
turned and walked quickly down to al
office near the end of the floor. HI
turned in and stopped at desk where {
stern but handsome woman was busy il
reading letter Her brow was contracted
into frown, which was evidently caused
by the contents of the letter.
"You wished to see me, Miss Can
teri" asked Mr.. Williams, brusquely.
As Miss Canter, the Superintendent
} looked up it could be seen that ther
many silver hairs among the black.
eyes" she said, speaking in sharp
business like manner. "Here is womal
complains that her poeketbook was stole
, from her while she was making some pur
chases at the linen counter. It was
black seal pocketbook containing plai
gold ring, some cards engraved Mrs
John Stone, East Orange, and S25 i
l "She dropped it out of her hand an
1t was picked up by Cash 35. 1t is moi
3 at the office waiting for her to claim it,
interrupted Mr.. Williams, calmly,
: The Superintendent nodded and M
e Williams turned and left the Office.
f ''Mr. Wilson would like to see yol
ri sir, said cash girl as he walked ov'
! to the toy department. He retraced h
! steps and entered another office, whe
Y Mr.. Wilson, junior partner of the mi
Il lionaire firm, sat back in his chair stud
ing the ceiling in a reflective manne
There seemed to be bond of sympatl
between the two men, for both smil'
: cordially as their eyes met.
% ''Ralph," said Mr.. Wilson, 81 wa
1T you to do little quiet investigating
IF me tonight. There is fellow here fro
: Colorado with scheme he wants me
20 into. 1t sounds little fishy, and
Is want to know just how things stand.
W you are not too tired see me at my hot
u about s o'clock"
"All right sir" /"
"And, Ralph, I have just received
communication from lawyer in Jers
e. City. He says his client was thro
III down stairs in our store through
v. carelessness of cash girl who stepI
= on her dress. He wants damages q
- threatens to sue. It smells like bla
e. mail. Investigate it tomorrow. If
OF story is true we will pay literally; if n
" we won't pay cent if it costs thousal
!. to defend suit. Here are the nal
and addresses"
Mr.. Williams left the Office and wall
up the aisle, making several entries.
les his note book. He stopped at cour
;al near one of the Fourteenth street
n frances. 1t was covered with piles
!. laces strung on pasteboard cards.
- sign that swung from bracket In
n centre denoted that it was the 81
or gain" counter. The women who alW
nv arrive early to get the best of the
GAINS the stores have to offer were C
ING in now. All the chatter of cl'
: and changing of stock were over W
q but the confused sounds Of custor
ith making purchases, of clerks answer
questions, Of floor walkers giving ord