The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-30
THE CLERK WHO DIDN'T KNOW.
store Proprietor's Experience
with Subordinate.
CFrom the Chicago Times-Hersld.)

(From the Chicago Times-Hersld.)
One Of the proprietors Of a big depart
ment store decided the other day to find
out how customers we're treated in his
establishment. He is so seldom seen around
the place that few of the clerks know him
by sight, hence it was not necessary for
him to assume a disguise or formulate an
elaborate plan for the success of his under
taking.
Going into the shoe department he sat
Down to be waited on. clerk who had
been in the store only a few weeks hur-
ried forward and asked:
May l show you pair OF shoes?''
Yes, the merchant said. II would like
to LOOK at some, but l don't know as I'm
ready to buy pair today
Very well" said the clerk. well see
what we can find"
Then he made some enquiries as to the
I style his employer preferred and the size
he were, and began taking down boxes.
One shoe after another was tried on, but
the customer could not be suited. The
toes we're not right, or the shape was
wrong. or 1t didn't fit, OF there was some
thing else about every shoe the clerk pro-
duced that IVES not as it should be-
Three or four times the proprietor said
he guessed he would have to give it up
anu u, .zan at some future time but the
q moment Then he would get another
pair and make a new effort TO suit the
gentleman. setting forth as eloquently as
he could the merits OF the shoes and ex-
pressing confidence in his ability to find
what was wanted sooner or later.
AT last the merchant looked up CT his
employee and said:
You don't seem to be worried over the
fact that you have wasted an hour here
with me-
"oh, don't think I'VE wasted the
time" the clerk replied. People are in
vited to come here and do business il they
see what they want. II they can't be
suited they ought to have as much right
to complain as We
Still you have left it ali to me- Don't
you think you ought to know more about
it than l do? You sell shoes every day,
you know
Il sell shoes every day" the clerk said,
but I can't wear yours for you and |
shall not try TO persuade you to buy some
thing you don't want
The proprietor went out saying he might
return at some future time and trs again.
After he was gone the head Of the shoe
department went over to the new clers,
and whispered something to him. The
latter turned little pale along the sides
CT his nose and said:
Then I suppose / may as well begin
hunting around for another job"
On the following morning the manager
of the store called the saddened clerk
into the office and said:
1.-The president Of this company vent
into the shoe department yesterday to SIT
a pair OF shoes
Eyes. know it" the clerk replied.
He couldn't get what he wanted. /"
The clerk gave a long sigh and looked
at the floor.
you told him you were not anxious to
sell goods if people didn't show pepper
eagerness tor buy," the manager went on
The clerk nodded that it was so.
We'll. do you think it would pay US TO
keep a man like you in our shoe Depart
ment?"
Feeling that it would profit him nothing
to be AFFECT, since he was to be discharged
anyway the miserable clerk replied:
Il suppose not. But il l had 1t to do
again I would do as I did yesterday
Very well. We need a man to take
charge of our clothing department. and
Mr. wishes you to have the place be-
cause you were kind enough TO give him
credit for knowing what he wanted better
than you did"