New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-13
WITH AND WITHOUT EXCUSE.

WITH AND WITHOUT EXCUSE.
There are many hard places in the world which
have 10 be filled and the hardest of them are not
necessarily the places which require their occu-
pants to toll terribly" as Raleigh said that he
was capable Of doing. Perhaps the most wcari-
some and depressing occupations are those which
demand constant attention without rcwarling II
by bringing within the range of observation ana
contact objects Of interest and external inciie-
mcn,s to perseverance Such an occupation Is
that in general circumstances. Of the clerk in
great retail establishment who is likely Ia be In
ccssantly busy about trfcs and Is subjected hour
after hour to the whms. capriccs, contradictory
moods and illogical mental processes Of custom
ers entitled to polite and alert service however
unreasonable they may be- or however con
iempiiblc in every other capacity than that IF
purchasers II is not surprising that many
clerks. and especially many young women in
whom love OF liberty AMI the pleasant things Of
life Is not dead. should break down under such
test and gradually demonstrate their unii'ncsS
in one important particular for the work they
have undertaken.
Much may be- and in fact always is. parloncd
in cases Of this sort. when experience proves or
circumstances suggest that the unsuitable de-
mcanor Of a clerk Is not hahtua but temporarily
induced by a special strain or a special weak
ness But a considerable proportion II those
who are obviously not content with the clerical
state 10 which II has pleased God 10 call them
make the very serious mistake of culiivaling IN
unhappy disposition. IN air Of resentment ana
habit Of rulcncss They generally lose much by
such a course. sooner or later The loss which
they are likely 10 think most serious is that which
comes in the form 81 fines or dismissal or 4 pre-
carious tenure without promotion. but This * not
the only consideration which ought 10 weigh on
their spirits and conSclcnccs They might per
ccvc. If they stopped 10 reason. that they double
their trials by the way in which they confront
them. Their pccyishncsS Furnishes Themselves
more certainly than others. for liz subjective
effect Is 10 make dridgrry all gloom. and n pro-
vokcs retaliation from the unamablc II is said
by some observers that this unhappy clas, ~
mercantile employees is Increasing with The cx1c-
ions II modern trade. II would not be- sirang"
IL this were true but IL would he unfortunate.
In the same general category. with less excuse
for being there. are the robust dcnpucn's who
find their way in great numbers into The en- hoy
mont Of transportation companies. They are II
more induratcd stock and there i seldom any
thing the matter with their nerves II i their
habit 10 maintain for business purposes an cir Of
disdain and hostility and The most cxaspcrltins
circumstance In their ease Is that they appear 10
derive. a large measure II comfort and saii>fic-
ton from their ill-ircatmcni Of the public whose
money pays their wages. The numcrouSnrss Of
these petty tyranis AMI Doors Is especially OBJ
scrvablc jusi AT present because Of the recent
opening Of new lines and establishment Of trans
fer connections 10y the Metropolitan Traction
a.. frap Sf.rS -
in a rudimcniary and confusing state. was in
troduccd with the intention that il should be
utilized. and with n pretty substantial cApccra-
ton Of profit rhcrcfrom. But II there were TO
other means Of Judging than The conduct Of rhany
strcctcar conductors. it would be assumed that
they had been instructed 70 grant transfer priv
ilcgcs only under durcss. This is no, 4 field
within which The average traveller raises mon
umcn; 10 human stupidity. and drives his vie
Tins to drink as a last resort against lunacy. We
are not aware that the average traveller is ac-
customcd to do such things. but 80 he is srcrlicnt
~ depicted. very likely for the purpose Of cXcul
pating the average conductor. But howve
that may be. the passenger who invites. cntrcats
and finally demands a solution Of the transfer
system as IT is now boichcd in this town. is well
within his rights and Is entitled to peculiarly
tender treatment. 10 as elaborate an cucidatlon
Of the mystery he may require. and to either
a ticket or polite regret Instead Of this LIE,
and still more often she. Is quite likely 10 get
rcbukc for being solic.tOus. or 10 be lmpldcnily
rcbuifcd by silence and scornful back AMI If
perchance the necessity Of supplying n transfer
ticket Is eventually conceded. II is produced IN
manner which seems 10 say: This i an I'M
covcnantcd mercy and too good for You by half
Americans dislike to be bullicd and II Is really
wonderful that they submit 50 TRANQUILITY 10 being
maltrcaicd by individuals hired 10 serve them.
The only explanation is that they also dislik" 10
take trouble. which means loss II time and
disturbance Of calculations.