Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-11-28

By W. H. DURHAM
VvVv'v'vvvv'v'v'v'v'v'v'vvv'

sVVNVVVVVV'V'VV'V'V'VV'VVe
Thomas Dawson was private secre-
tary to the head of a downtown whole
sale house. Old Jackson used to say
that the house could not get along
without Dawson, yet that parsonage
had been in the employ Of the firm
only short year, was but twenty-four
years old and knew nothing OF the
/. business when he entered, Butvhe had
been arenortsr ahda good one. Tlax
means, asseveryb0dv knows that Ne
knew little Of everything in the
world and great deal more So when
he applied for position with one Of
the most unique letters old Jackson
had ever received the old man, after
struggling through wilderness of bad
writing, broke into hearty laugh and
sent for him.
"You think you can I'LL the position
that IL open, do your growled old
Jackson at Dawson when that young
gentleman appeared. do you know
that this Is most confidential place
and that, while knowledge of the bust
ness and lines we handle Is not abso-
lutely necessary, yet to u man OF not
more than average intellect who IL In
experienced the position is impossibleT'
"Why, of course | can hold It, Do
you suppose | would come shopping
around here IL didn't think you need
ed mer'
Jackson had been so used to having
men quail before him, especially when
seeking position, that this breezy an.
swer hoored him. But he liked 1t.
"Well, young man, l Will just give
you ten minutes trial"
1t was nearly noon when Dawson
had presented himself, and he now
said
every well. will spend the ten
minutes getting lunch and then re-
turn"
He was gone before the old man
could stop him. He left the door open
as he went out, trick for which a
man had been fired only the day be-
fore. Old Jackson seemed to shrink
into himself until he was almost sit
ting on his back, staring out the open
door at the stalwart back of his new
secretary as 1t went down the long
aisle and out the front door.
"Bangw went the old mans fist Oh
the bell huge negro, dressed like u
comic valentine, sprang into the office.
"Dolcfuncss," rOared the old man,
"dld you see that young fellow go outT'
eyes, sab; saw him." said the
black.
"Well, when that fellow comes back
kin him."
Dolefuness disappeared as rapidly
ms he had come, and the old gentle
man went out to lunch. When he re-
turned, Dawson was seated at n desk
looking over the mail which had just
arrived.
"What the dew Where's that Dole
fulnessW
"Who--the niggerT said Dawson,
continuing to sort the mail. Hes In
the closet"
with a bang the door OF the coat
room IN the old mans private office
ulL lilt Will.
gagged, tumbled on the floor.
"Wellv gasped jackson. sinking into
n chair and hopping his forehead. II
was 10 degrees below zero outside, and
he had been kicking at the 1remen all
day. what does this meanr
ooh, nothing" said Dawson. "The
Niger got kinder gay when ] came
from lunch, and just put him on Ice.
Shall | release himT
"DOlefulness," Jackson Numbered
when the negro got on his feet, what
does this mean? Didn't | tell you to
Kill this man If he came back againT
eyes, sab. yo' did, but he seed me
fust just rs | was goin' to hit him wild
my billy"
"What did he dor
"Jest grabbed me by de cOllah; he
held me wild one hand and tied me wild
the Oddcr."
"Stnnd up" to Dawson. He saw that
the negro was foot and half higher
than his private secretary. "Thatll
do, DOlcfulness You may go"
"Now, SIR" said Dawson, III you
will he no kind as TO give me n word
or two of advice will proceed with
business. have stacked the letters
marked personal on your desk and sent
the others TO the heads OF the various
departments. IL that rightW
SAY, yOu-you, who's boss here, you
or me? How did you know who the
heads Of departments wereY
That's easy. noticed the names Of
them together with their departments,
emblazOned In box car letters on the
doors Of their offices In the hall"
"Do you mean to tell me that you
have only passed down this aisle three
times aud know all the heads Of de.
partments by nameW
certainly. What else are my eyes
forp
Jackson didn't answer He looked at
his new employee n moment, took his
seat and began to open his mail. Daw-
son picked up paper and began to
read. Directly he said.
"By the way, Thomas"
Eyes, sir" said the new secretary.
~ wish you would go and tell Miss
Agnew, the stenOgrapher always
have to come here. You may spend
the time looking over the store Come
back In an hour"
Dawson looked the store over from
top 10 bottom In that hour. He intro
duced himself TO every man In the
place and brought smile to the face
Of each. A thlnly yelled compliment
here, well told bit Of his newspaper
experience there, made every man his
friend
When he reached the office, Mr.. Jack.
son was gone, but on Dawson's deal
reposed note.
"Well," he said, ~ guess It's up Il
me. ! supposed from the way the old
man noted that he was going 10 keel
me, but he concluded that he coulC
write better than he talked after all
and here In where-woww
Dawson had opened the envelope
and the last exclamation was causet
by the following:
Mr.. DawsOn-YOu have intruded your
self iutU thig office and ahovsd my nigga