The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-07-13
WAS A PRIZE IDIOT.
And Owing TO His Brilliancy He II
Hunting Another Job.

1t isn't well to be too rigid in the inter-
probation of ones duty 10 an employer.
In business. as in other relations of life,
the letter liilieth," while the spirit
II aketh alive" says the Boston Herald.
This is the conclusion to which an ac-
quaintance Of mine, a steamboat ticket
agent. has come. after an experience in
following the letter OF his C'licial rules
which cost him not only his position
but the loss of reputation hitherto his
for good judgment and common sense.
There came to his lattice one afternoon
rot long ago musician, bound Tor a
point on the steamboat route. He was
TO fill very important engagement,
WI oh was the more important because II
was a recital In which he was the only
performer, and failure on his part to
appear meant the dismissal Of an au-
diencc and the loss of a good deal OF
money to all concerned. To the lattice
with the artist came his wife, his musi
cal accOmpanist
There was but one boat he could take
in order to arrive at his destination on
time. and. were he to lose that. no other
means OF conveyance could remedy the
DISASTER
Wien he had purchased his tickets and
put his hand In his pocket to pay for
them, the. embarrassing truth flashed
upon him that he had left all his money
at the hotel, plight frequently fallen
into by musicians. His wife was in a
similar prediCament: so there they We're
with no means but the ticket agents dis
erection of being relieved from their an
moving position
They appealed to him. The artist told
him his name, the circumstances, the
impossibility Of going to the hotel for the
money and getting back in time to catch
he boat, ana lie hesought trust until
his return % the city.
Either from pure conscientiousness or
from genuine uglness, the master of the
situation refused.
ITS against the rules was his curt
and only answer to every request.
The artist slipped valuable ring from
mis- finger, and offered 1t in pledge of his
h jresty
It's against the rules, and that settles
it, was snapped back at him.
So 1t did, for that day.
The boat steamed away, and the artist
and his wife returned in helpless indisna-
ton to their hotel. The recital was. of
course, necessarily declared off the au-
Hence dismissed and the money refund
ed, ana on ihe following day an irate
manager stormed into the apartments of
the artist with all sorts of vituperation,
and with threats of a suit into the bar
gain.
Explanations followed. and then the
anger of the manager was turned
against the ticket agent. He straight
way took the artist with him to the
President of the steamboat company, in
formed him of the event OF the evening
before. and asked IT, under the circim-
stances, the company's subordinate had
acted the part of "A wise and faithful SER
want.
The President sent for the latter i'm
mediltely, and when he came into the
apartment the following dialogue ensued
between them:
Did this gentleman buy two tickets of
YOU last evening""
Yes, sir"
Did he pay for theme"
No. sir"
Did YOU let him have them"
That's right, so far. Did the gentle
man do anything else"
Yes. sir. He offered me n ring and a
geld watch as a guaranty for the money
until his return from
Did you take them?'
mo, sir; told him 1t was against the
rules.r
"Ah! Did the gentleman tell you his
name and The importance of his bust
ness"
,.'oh, yes, sir; but that didn't shake me.
| had my rules"
80 you had. Well. sir, you are the
biggest idiot this company has ever had
in it's employ, and if you go to the cash
Ter you will find your services paid for to
date. You had better seek employment
as turnkey in a Jail. You need never
stretch a rule here
And the price of two tickets was just
90 cents.