Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-10-10
The DRESS GOODS COUNTER.
BY JOHN MERyIN DALE.

| are, all day long.
Some people suppose that we are
machines, like the cash trolley. But
that is incorrect. We have feelings
and affections, and live in homes with
our families. Our counter is not
crowded like the ribbon-counter. or
the thirty-nine-cent silk department,
but when we come to sum up the sales
at night our department is like Ben
Adhem in the poem-it leads all the
rest
My place is right here in the cor
ner, where 1 have stood for years. 1
do not suppose that I have sold dress
goods enough to "belt the globe" as
the newspapers say, but I have sold
thousands of yards. Icarry the sales
book of our department, which is con-
sldered quite an honor, and hand in
neat little report every day.
Next to me stands Henry Clark, and
this story is to be about him.
1t is no exaggeration to say that it
seems to me he is the best salesman in
the city of Boston. He sells, on an
average. twenty-five per cent. more
than any other salesman in our de-
partment, and we all claim that there
are few salesmen who can sell more
goods. He is mind-reader on the
subject of dress-goods. He can tell as
soon as lady comes to the counter
whether she is likely to make a pur-
chase, and what kind of goods will
probably suit her.
Along with this ability Clark has a
very quick temper, to control which
often costs him great struggle. 1t
was about three years ago that this
brought him into conflict with "Rule
Number Seven," which requires that
Every employe must be perfectly
courteous and polite to customers, no
matter what the provocation may be to
be otherwise. Any infringement of
this rule will be deemed sufficient rea-
son for discharge"
There is only one other large store
in Boston where a rule like this is en-.
forced so rigidly as it is at Dale's.
OF course but little provocation for
an employe to break rule number
seven is given by many of the Gus
toners who trade at Dale's. But there
are trying customers, and one day
they all seemed to have an appoint
ment to assemble at Clark's part of
the counter.
Quite early in the morning came q
lady whose life is devoted to the col
lection of samples. Clark knew her
purpose, and sighed deeply as she
drew near.
81 thought / would come here the
first thing" she said, with cheerful
smile, ''for you always have such a
good assortment. Aren't these lovely =?
How much are they?"
"One dollar, one dollar and quar-
ter and one dollar and a half" said
Clark, wearily.
"Well, they are cheap. Won't you
give me G sample of this, and this,
and this, and these two?"
Clark handed her the samples, not
even stopping to give them his special
snip, for he well knew that they would
never come back. There is a belief
among statesmen that the chronic sam
piers never buy any dress goods.
When they can no longer put off hav-
ing new gown they buy one ready
made, which they cannot sample.
Clark's next customer was very de-
liberate. She spent half an hour in
carefully examining four different
pieces of goods, which she had Clark
take to the door for better light
Meanwhile, sold one of his regular
customers bill of sixty-fve dollars.
AT length the lady called for single
sample, and said, as she slowly moved
away. "Well, must dream over this
before deciding"
/ thought the scissors sounded
wrathful as they cut away the cloth
but Clark gave the sample his special
cut, for such customers often come
back. Then came two women to whom
Dale's great store was as the dust of
the street.