The Daily Texarkanian. [volume] (Texarkana, Ark.) 1894-1906, 1894-10-18
SAVED BY KINDNESS.
A Characteristic Story of Phil Ar
mour's Generosity to an
Employe.

"Uncle Phil" Armour had in his
employ several years ago a young
man of whom he was very fond
and who persisted in resisting "the
old mans" efforts to advance him
in authority and responsibility. The
young fellow was bright, capable
and cherry-one whom everybody
liked. But he was dissipated and
reckless. He habitually came late
to the Office and, strange to say,
was not peremptoriallY, dismissed,
for p. D. Armour insists upon the
employees earning their money and
is himself at the Office at Z o'clock
a. M, rain or shine, summer or win
ter.
One day the youth sent an apol-
ogy for his non-appearance and
pleaded sickness as an excuse for
his absence. When he appeared
the next morning he found another
man in his place and his department
chief told him to take a vacation of
indefinite length, babe him drop
in" every day for instructions and
kindly informed him that his name
had not been erased from the pay
roll. The young man went away
in a perplexity that time did not
lessen and when, at the end of two
weeks of idleness, he was told "Mr.
Armour wishes to see you" he was
so mystified that he had little rea-
soning power left.
81 have sent for you, Uncle
Phil" said when the clerk had al
most sneaked into his presence, ITO
say that either you or ! must re-
sign from this concern. Now, which
shall it be2"
If the clerk was deep in the sea
of wonder before he came into his
employers presence he was now at
the very bottom, but he managed
to stammer out:
IT don't see how you can re
sign"
1'Weli, them" continued Mr.. Ar
mour, as if one point had been set
tied, "what are you going to do
next2"
IT don't know, sir; had not
thought of that" was the an
swer.
"You have saved nothing out OF
your wages?" the employer said hall
questioningly,
"No sir" was the humble admis-
sion.
"You are in debit" the apparent
ly merciless millionaire said, again
with little rising infection.
eyes sir" was a still more hum
bic confession.
GLOW much do you owe, whisky
bills included?" the prosecutor ask
ed.
IT haven't figured up my debts,
the clerk replied.
give hundred dollars2" suggest
ed the head of the house of Armour
& Co.
81 guess it's as much, this with
a groan.
Don't guess at it, but go and
make a list of all your debts of ev-
cry description and bring it to me
at o'clock tomorrow afternoon"
said Mr.. Armour, and, without
looking up from his desk to which
he had turned, he added. Good
morning"
Bewildered, confused, mixed up,
his head feeling as if his brains
were scrambled, the former clerk
bowed himself out and tried to
think. The conclusion he reached
was about what a man arrives at
when he tries to comprehend infini-
ty. However, he would "see the
thing out" now that he was in for
it, whatever it might be. He did
as he had been hidden and put in
his list of personal accounts every
item which had even the shadow
of a right to be there, and this list
showing an aggregate OF more
than 5000 of debts, he placed at a
o'clock the next day in the hands
of the man who asked it. His hand
shook when he presented the paper
to Mr.. Armour. The latter merely
scanned the evidence of proaigacy
and promptly pigeonholed it.
Have you made up your mind
what you are going to doY" the
inquisitor began.
81 would like to go to some other
city and begin again, the clerk AN
swered
How are you going to get there
and what will you do after you ar
rive; you have no money" Mr.. Ar
mour continued,
81 think ] could find employment
l 4 A Il 4.