Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-11-06
By W. E. DURHAM
Copyright. 1901, by W. II. Durham
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1lOuas DdWSOn WAS private StCIc-
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 n good one. That
means, as everybody knows, that he
knew a 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 a wilderness of bad
writing, broke into a hearty laugh and
sent for him.
"You think you can I'LL the position
that is open, do you" growled old
Jackson at Dawson when that young
gentleman appeared. do you know
that this is a most confidential place
and that, while knowledge Of the busi-
ness and lines we handle is not abso-
lutely necessary, yet to a man of not
more than average intellect who is in
experienced the position is impossibleE'
"Why, of course | can hold it. Do
you suppose | would come snooping
around here if didn't think you need
ed me?'
Jackson had been so used to having
men quail before him, especially when
seeking a 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:
Every we'll | 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, a trick for which
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 it went down the long
aisle and out the front door.
"Bangr' wdet the old mans fist on
the bell. huge negro, dressed like
comic valentine, sprang into the office.
"Dolefulness," roared the old man,
"did 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
fulnessT
"who-the niggerY said Dawson,
continuing to sort the mail. Hes in
the closet"
With n bang the door Of the coat
room in the old mans private office
hit the wall Dolefulness, bound and
gagged, tumbled on the floor.
"Wellw gasped Jackson, sinking into
a chair and mopping his forehead. 1t
was 10 degrees below zero outside, and
he had been kicking ut the iircmen all
day. What does this meanY
"Oh, nothing" said Dawson. "The
nigger got kinder gay when came
from lunch, and just put him on ice.
Shall release himr
"Dolcfulness," Jackson thundered
when the negro got on his feet, what
does this mean? Didn't / tell you to
kill this man If he came back againP
eyes. sab, yo' did, but he seed me
fust just as | 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 odder."
"Stand up" to Dawson. He saw that
the negro was II foot and half higher
than his private secretary. 'Thatll
do, DolefulnCss. You may go.'
"Now, SIR" said Dawson, ''if you
will be so kind as TO give me 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. Is that rightT
"Say, you-you, who's boss here, you
or me2 How did you know who the
heads of departments wereY
That's easy. | noticed the names of
them, together with their departments,
cmblazoncd in box ear 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 nameY
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 w paper and began TO
read. Directly ne said:
"By the way, Thomas"
Eyes, SIR" said the now secretary.
81 wish you would 20 and tell Miss
Agncw, the stenographer always
have, to come here. You may spend
the time looking over the store Come
back i'm an hour"
Dawson looked the store over from
top to bottom I'm that hour. He intro
duccd himself TO every man I'm the
place and brought smile TO the face
OF each. A thnly vciled compliment
here n 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 desk
reposcd n note.
"Wcll." he said. II guess it's up to
me. | supposed from the way the old
man acted that hc was going TO keep
me. but he concluded that he could
write better than hc talked after all.
and here is where wow!
Dawson had opened the envelope.
and the last exclamation was caused
by the following:
Mr. Dawson-You have intrudcd your
self into this office and showed my Niger
T'put that u-i-E-g-r-r." Mr.. Jackson had
tnid 10 the EtcuoEraphcD into tho closet.
You have also made yourself familiar
without any warrant or direction with
my whole store You are retained Mt a
salary. to begin with, Of 5000 per year.
EBlfN JACKSON.
All this had happened year ago.
Now the old man was furious. He ar
rived at the store fifteen minutes early
and cursed every man In the place
black and blue
Dawson's first duty in the morning
consisted Of sorting and opening the
mail. and he had SO arranged matters
l.. Vt