Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-05

Mr. SMITH, sHoPwALKER.

ing as little old gentlemen entered
the room.
II am Mr.. Smith," he said, with q
smile wrinkling weather-beaten old
face, the new shopwalker."
| welcomed with as much cordially
as | could muster, but the truth is we
were so accustomed to sudden changes
at Garand's that we had long ceased
to take much interest in the appear
ance of new man. 1t marked the
difference between a private firm and
joint stock company. Ever since
the pair had been Converted and
Sir John Garland had retired on his
fortune the same policy had been
pursued.
In five years all the old hands who
had helped to build up the business
had been swept out and their places
taken by cheaper people. Our general
manager, Albert Tulloek, was regard
ed as q commercial genius. He had
built new premises, opened new de-
partments, doubled the business, and
cut down the expenses.
1t was the best advertised house in
the west end of London. The smaller
shopkeepers around us groaned under
the competition, and many of them
failed. Garland swallowed them up
and paid large dividends. So our
shareholders were happy and passed
an annual vote of thanks to Mr.. Tul-
lock.
AS for the new man, Mr. Smith he
was like most of Tullock's acquisitions
an oddly. We sometimes wondered
where he picked them up. He usually
discovered people who were somewhat
out at elbow and glad to snatch at
anything Then he bullied them into
shape, and if they were sufficiently
servile and could do seventy or eighty
hours work week on very little food,
they remained. But if they displayed
any sign of spirit or physical weak
ness they received what we used to
call "the order of the chuck"
"Are you Mr.. Pemberton?" inquired
the little old man, looking at me
sharply over his spectacles.
| nodded and Mr. Smith said "0h!"
in tone of voice which clearly i'm
piled: I'm not quite sure whether !
like the look of you or not"
Come and sit down. | said, land
help yourself to tobacco. We are in
the same department. I'm head sales
man."
$50 | understand" he said thoughts
fully eyeing me as if | were natural
curiosity. 81 hope we shall like each
OTHER"
Thanks | replied. Zone thing is,
1t doesn't matter. We sha'n't be to-
gether long"
"Why not?' opening his eyes very
wide.
Because one of us is certain to get
the sack within three months. | have
been in the firm four years. which Is
nearly record, so expect 1t every
day"
u presume you will not be dis
charged unless you neglect your du-
ties" he said, in priggish voice of
superiority.
You don't know Tullock," | said
shortly.
Mr. Tullock has been a very good
friend to me- remarked Mr.. Smith
pompously "And am sorry to hear
him spoken of like that"
At this held my tongue. for it was
one of Tullock's pleasant tricks to en-
courage spies and talebearers, For all
/ knew, the new man might be APP
pointed for the sole purpose of carry
ing reports.
Mr., Smith strolled up and down the
smoking room, of which we happened
to be the only occupants, for some
time, and poked his inqusitive old
nose into everything of interest.
At last he drew up in front of me
and said; "Eh. what kind of a man is
your Mr.. Tullock?"
"Oh, he's all right when you know
him. said, cautiously for | was not
to tell him all thought.
Our enterprising manager took great
care to line his own pocket, He re-
celyed two thousand a year from the |
but we knew well enough |
That in addition TO that he made large
sums in secret commissions.
Once a curious incident happened
picked up shorthand notebook
Not knowing whose il was, | awaited
myself of a knowledge of stenography
md read page or two. 1t contained
some curious information and enabled
ne to make a shrewd guess at Mr..
methods.
lie happened to arrive on the scene
while ! was reading it.
u believe that book belongs to me,
Mr. Pemberton," he said. roughly.
handed it to him with smile,
ooking him straight in the eyes. To
ny great amusement he turned red
md scowlngly muttered something
bout my impertinence. Then he
trode away
1t was only trifling incident, but
meant a great deal. IT either meant
hat | should be discharged or that
he great Mr.. Tulock would be afraid
o interfere with me. So took the
'ull by the horns and the following
'aturday went to his private office
nd asked for an increase of salary.
ust to see how the land lay. He
ave II and from that moment treated
ne with kind of boorish cvility.
Tut was not disposed to impart in.
r. rr.aE 49,. Il