Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-08-15

WSSSyMSAsNMNMS Buffalo, N. Y,
%&NAsxaas" sat in his private
R%" Office engrossed in
the affairs OF one of the largest retail
grocery stores in Buffalo. He was a
tall, spare man, and to an ordinary
observer his appearance was very pre-
possessing. His clear-cut, kindly
face displayed character in every line
the face of n shrewd yet strictly
honorable and thoroughly sympathetic
man. Indeed, Paul Dockfelt was
man OF high and sincere aims, as we'll
as Of public spirit, and his numerous
friends were contemplating a move
ment to nominate him for alderman
from his ward.
At the moment when Mr.. Dockfelt
had dipped his pen to write an impor-
tant business letter, he was interrupt
ed by loud commotion in the main
store, the character of which he could
not determine, as his Office was en-
closed. After listening impatiently
for moment, he rose and strobe out
into the store. As he entered the
main room, he observed that tho dis
turbance proceeded from the cashiers
office. An alteration seemed to be
going on between the cashier, Fred
Thomas, and the head clerk, Edward
Balfour.
Fred Thomas, although he had
been in Mr.. Dockfelt's employ but
six weeks, was already q great favor
lite with his employer, Indeed, it
was whispered among the clerks that,
In time, the firm name would be
Dockfelt & Thomas; for Mr. Dockfelt
had no junior partner at that time,
Richard Freeman having died some
time before. For the sake of long
standing, however, Mr. Dockfclt re.
tanned the old firm name.
MIR. Balfour was also quite favor
ite with Mr.. Dockfelt, in whose en-
ploy he had been about three months.
1t was with great surprise and re-
gret, therefore, that Mr. Dockfelt saw
the young men engaged in q quarrel.
He walked up quietly behind the en-
ragged clerks, who were 50 furious at
each other that they did not notice
his approach, and tapping Mr.. Bal
four on the back, said, in stern
voice:
'What's the trouble here, Balfour?"
'Trouble enough, SIR" replied the
head clerk, wheeling around and ad-
dressing his employer. 81 sent
check for twenty-five cents down here,
together with ten-dollar bill, and
now Mr.. Thomas Is abusing me for
sending him nm empty carrier"
"How's this, Thomas?" demanded
the astonished grocer.
"Im sure l don't know, SIR" said
Thomas. "All 1 know is, that, Just
now, Mr.. Balfour's cash carrier came
along the wire. 1 took it down, and
finding it empty, thought Mr.. Bal
four was playing trick on me, so I
sent the carrier back-empty, of
course. A minute later he comes
rushing up and angrily demands the
cause of my sending him no change.
That's all know about it,"
"Mr. Thomas" said the merchant,
sternly, "give Mr.. Balfour his change.
Mr.. Balfour, you may take it to the
customer. Then return Immediately,
until we settle this affair. Hurryr'
Briefly, the cash system used by
Mr.. Dockfelt was as follows: Each
clerk was provided with small blank
book, opening at the top. Each page
was perforated in the middle. On
each side of the perforation the clerk
wrote the amount of the sale. He
would then tear across the perforation
and send the lower half to the cashiers
desk in one of the small cash cups or
carriers commonly used in retail
store. Together with this check, or
ftp" as the detached slip of paper is
alled, the salesman would enclose the
poney. The cashier would put the
fp on bill file or spindle; and thus
the amount on the spindle belonging
10 each clerk should tally with the to-
hl of the "stubs" in his book. This
is the method in general use in retail
stores.
When Mr.. Balfour returned, the
merchant said. sharply: 81 suppose
you have no objection to being
searched2 Each o. you may first
describe the contents Of your pocket
books. Balfour?"
mime contains three silver dollars,
ass bill, some small change, and six
car tickets" answered the head clerk.
"Thomas?"
"Mine contains two flves, one sill
yer dollar, some small change, two
postage stamps and three car tickets.
Mr.. Balfour then produced his
pocket-book, and it was found to con-
tain exactly what was enumerated.
Mr.. Dockfelt searched the clerks
pockets, but nothing suspicious came
TO light.