The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-23
MR. SMITH, SH0PWALKER.
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ing as little old gentleman entered the
room.
II am Nj. Smith" he said, with q
smile wriuking a weather-beateH old
face, "the new shopwalker."
welcomed him with as much cordial
py as could muster. but the truth is
We were so accustomed to sudden
changes ut Garland's that We had long
ceased TO take much interest in the APP
pearance OF new man. It marked the
difference between private firm and
a Joint stock company. Ever since the
AFFAIR had been converted" and Sir
John Garland had retired on his for
tune the same policy had been pursued.
In ivc 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 man
ager, Albert Tullock. was regarded as
commercial genius. He Ind built new
premises. opened new departments,
doubled the business, and cut down the
expenses.
It was the best advertised house in
the west end OF London. The smaller
shop-keepers around US groaned under
the competition, and many OF them fall
ed. Garland swallowed them up and
paid large dividends. SO our share
holders were happy apd passed an an
hual vote Of thanks to Mr.. TuliOek.
AS for the new man, Mr.. Smith, he
was like most of TullOck'B 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 any
thing. Then he bullied them into shape,
and II they were sufficiently servlle and
could do seventy or eighty hours work
a week on very little food. they re-
NAMED. But IL they displayed any sign
Of spirit or physical weakness they re-
ceived what we used to call "the order
OF the chuck"
..Are you. Mr.. Pemberton?" inquired
the little old man, looking at me sharp
ly over his spectaeles.
nodded and Mr.. Smith said "oh!"
in a tone of voice which clearly i'm
piled: I'm not quite sure whether 1
like the look OF you or not.
Come and sit down." l said, land
help yourself to tobacco. We are in the
same department. I'm head sales
man."
80 understand" he said, thought
fnpy, cycling me as If I were a natural
curiosity. 81 hope we shall like each
other"
Thanks" replied. zone thing is, it
doesn't matter. We shan't be together
why notq" 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 I expect 1t every
day"
II presume you viii not be discharged
unless you neglect your duties" he said,
In n prlggish voice OF superiority.
you. don't know TuIlOck." said,
shortly.
..AIr. 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 Tnllocks pleasant tricks to en-
courage spies and tnlebearers. For all
knew. the new man might be appoint-
ed for the sole purpose Of carrying re-
ports.
Mr.. Smith stroIled up and down the
smoking room. Of which we happened
to be the only occupants, for some time,
and poked his inquislti7e nose into
everything of interess.
Al last he drew up IL front Of me and
said: ~Eh. what kind Of q man IS your
Mr. TullockT'
"oh, he's all right when you know
him. / said cautiously for was not
disposed to tell him all thought. Our
enterprisIhg manager took great care
10 line out his own pocket. He received
two thousand year from the company.
but we knew well enough that in addi-
ton to that he made large sums In Sc
cret commissions.
Once curious Incident happened. 1
picked up a shorthand notebook Not
knowing whose II was, awaited myself
of a knowledge OF stsnography and read
a page or two. 1t contained some curl
Gus information and enabled me to
make a shrewd guess at Mr.. Tuliock's
methods.
He happened to arrive on the scene
While was reading 1t.
II bslleve that book belongs to me-
Nj. Pemberton," he said. roughly.
handed 1t to him with a smile look
ing him straight In the eyes. To my
erea, amusement he turned red and
SeowlingIy muttered something about
INV impertinenee. Then he strobe
away.
II wns only a trihIng incident. but u
meant a great deal. 1t either meant
tbat I should be discharged or that the
great Dir. Tullock would be afraid to
interfere with me. So took the bull
by the horns and the following Saturday
/ went to his private Office and asked
Tor an Increase OF salary, just to sec
how the land lay. He gave It and from
that moment treated me with kiiia Oh