The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-10-09
tom DAWSON,
! Private Secretary
By W. n. DURHAM
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By W. II. DURHAM


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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. But he had
been a reporter and a good one. That
means, as everybody knows, that he
knew little of everything in the
world and a 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 fill the position
that is open, do youT' 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 man of not
more than average intellect who is in
experienced the position is impossible?'
"Why, of course l can hold 1t. Do
you suppose | would come shopping
around here If didn't think you need
ed me-"
Jackson had been so used to having
men quail before him, especially when
seeking position, that this breezy an
swer fioored him. But he liked it.
well young man, | will just give
you ten minutes trial"
1t was nearly noon when Dawson
had presented himself, and he now
said:
VERY well. l will spend the ten
minutes getting lunch and then re-
turn"
He was gone before the old man
as he went out, a 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
ding on his back, staring out the open
door at the stalwart back of his new
secretary as it went down the long
aisle and out the front door.
"Bangr' went the old mans fist on
the bell. A huge negro, dressed like
comic valentine, sprang into the office.
"Dolefulness, roared the old man.
ibid you see that young fellow go out|
Eyes, sab; | saw him." said the
black
well, when that fellow comes back
kill him."
Dolefulness disappeared as rapidly
as he had come, and the old gentle
man went out to lunch. When he re-
| turned, Dawson was seated at desk
looking over the mail which had just
arrived.
what the dev- Where's that Dole
fulness?"
"Who-the nigger" 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
hit the wall. Dolefulness, bound and
gagged tumbled on the floor
"Well" gasped Jackson, sinking into
a chair and hopping his forehead. 1t
was 10 degrees below zero outside, and
he had been kicking at the firemen all
day. what does this mean"
ooh, nothing" said Dawson. THE
niger got kinder gay when l came
from lunch, and just put him on ice.
Shall release him"
"Dolefuness, 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 as l was goin' to hit him wild
my billy"
"What did he do?"
"Jest grabbed me by de collah; he
held me wild one hand and tied me wild
the odder."
Stand up" to Dawson. He saw that
the negro was foot and half higher
than his private secretary. "That'll
do, Doefulness. You may GO"
"Now, SIR" said Dawson, 'if you
will be so kind as to give me a word
or two Of advice l will proceed with
business. have stacked the letters
marked personal on your desk and sent
the others to the heads of the various
departments. Is that rightY'
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 and know all the heads of de-
partments by name?"
Certainly. What else are my eyes
for?"
Jackson didn't answer. He looked at
his new employee a moment, took his
seat and began to open his mail Daw-
son picked up a paper and began to
read Directly he said:
by the way, Thomas"
Yes, SIR" said the new secretary.
Il wish you would go and tell Miss
Agnew, the stenographer l always
have, to come here. You may spend
the time looking over the store. Come
back In an hour"