The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-09
OFT or A TIGHT PLACE.
How a Clerk worked Up an Excuse for In
CiyIlIty 20 His Employer.

From me Noi" orleans II mos-DcDiOcrui
ITS mighty hard for n clerk to be suave
and polite all the time. " said a department
manager in one Of the big stores. - clerk
l. like any other human being, subject to head
inches and indigestion and fits OF irritablitv,
and occasionally he will be n little grun without
intending II. When | was younger n few
thoughtless words once came near losing me
a good job, and the way I escaped be ng fred
was rather amusing. II happened like iris.
Il had charge Of the mems furnishing counter
In n large clothing store. and the pay being
first rate and chance Of promotion excellent
| was naturally anxious to hold on TO the job.
Ono morning, however. I was feeling all out
Of sorts and was Just developing nm uRly head
ache, when a man came In and asked to see some
cravats. | could tell from his general appear
ance he was from the North. and he had q curt,
semi-suUcrcilious manner that irritated me
Immediately. II | had been feeling well I
would have kent my temper. but my bend was
thrnbhlng, and when he waved over the stock,
finding fault with everything and Sneering at
my statements as To quality, ! began 10 get
crIsty. Finally | couldn't stand II any longer,
II YOU really want IA scarf ! said. 'you'n find
plentv here that, | dare say, are ns good ~ any
thing You've been accustomed 10 wear lust
then I hnppennd to look M and caught sight
Of a floor walker. standing In q rear aisle and
making frantic gestures. TO me with his hands.
IT You'll wait "A moment ] satd 20 the customer.
wondering what the dickens was m, III zee
II | can't find something else at tho other side.
walker was standing wha,s he matter.
he whispered that's the boss
The store. as | should have EXPLAINED was
the Southern branch Of n Nov York. establish
the head Of tho firm had never before nai1 II q
yist IN Gerson: 1Gnsennen'Iv ditnt Know
n ra@iia 9S 'EIS o% S H2d %E S'on { h r%1 t S%d T9'n nv !
foot into IL. During the next FIVE seconds did
some quick thinking and among other thing.
that tho bose had been married only a short time
before.. That gave me AZ idea. I'm going
back | whispered to the foor walker. and in
are YOU M TOP he asked. Never mind saiit;
, ,6s r s9 esa aSd walk al s az IT. Hn Gi% i1 Elk a11 I'D the The
counter and found nv man looking black as
thunder. sorry, I said, still as Rruf as ever.
Won. youm have to 20 elsewhere VERY we'll
he replied, saronStically, and now, let me give
you a small piece Of intormati2n I-
tore il open, pretended to read n note, slapped
my leg ~joyfplIy and proceeded 10 do q double
m 1",''p n Smq l%a %1G'' What SRs 'i IRS deuce S''i IS the
5i"' l%:t :, diTaSns5' NNttthsrS crisd; an
rrloiced! You must. pardon this ldiotic eXhibi;
ton. my denr sir. | went on. earnestly. ana l
hope YOU will also pardon my gross rndeneSs to
iety and didn't know what was doing The fact
L.. 1 said with the best imitation Of difidcnce.
I could muster w, the fact Is we have Just
had a new arrival out al my house its a boy,
sir, and everything all. right and. really.
he Interrupted. cordially. graSpins my hand:
4 appreciate your feelings, and your apology
Is ample, Here's my card
the Department manager, ,srinntns: but It
was a close shave, especially In view OF the
fact that was and an a case-hardeheH 3d