The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-12-13
TOM DAWSON,
= Private Secretary
y W. H. DURHAM

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 reporter and good one. That
means, as everybody knows, that he
knew a little of everything In the
world and q great deal more. So when
he applied for a 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 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 man of not
more than average intellect who is In
experienced the position is impossibieT'
'Why, Of course can hold 1t. Do
you suppose 1 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 whe;s
seeking position, that this breezy an
swer fioored him. But he liked it.
"Well, young man, l Will just give
| <xfu
1t was nearly noon when Dawson
had presented himself. and he now
said:
Every well. 1 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 fred only the day be
fore. Old jackson seemed to shrink
) into himself until he was almost sit
ting on his back, staring out the opel
door at the stalwart back Of his new
secretary as it went down the ioni
aisle and out the front door.
s'Bangv' went the old mans hst O.
the bell. A huge negro, dressed ike
comic valentine, sprang into the ofnc'
"Dolefulness," roared the old maj
Ibid you see that young Fellow go out
Eyes, sab; saw him." SAID II
30 black.
: NWen, when that fellow comes bat
kill him."
Dolefulness disappeared as rapid
as he had come, and the old gent
man went out to lunch. When he
turned, Dawson was seated at ues
looking over the mail which had jul
E. arrived.
/, ssWhat the dev- Where's that Dol
,s fulness?"
% "Who-the niggerY' said Dawson
; continuing to sort the mail. Hes
2, the closet"
!. With q bang the door of the Goa
E room in the old mans private omt
S, hit the wall Dolefulness, bound an
n gagged, tumbled on the floor.
..WelIr' gasped Jackson, sinking I'M
:; a chair and hopping his forehead
: was 10 degrees below zero outside, an
n he had been kicking at the hremen
"A day. "What does this meanf
q "Oh, nothing" said Dawson. III
a; niger got kinder gay when can
r from lunch, and 1 just put him on &c
r; Shall 1 release him?'
e, "Dolefulness." Jackson thundert
u when the negro got on his teet' WIZ
does this mean? Didn't / tell You
m kill this man If be came back again
Nv eyes. sab, yo' did, but he seed u
I'd fust lust as l was goin' to hit him W
er my billy"
"What did he doT'
"Jest grabbed me by de collah;
hold me wild one hand and tied me W
the odder."
"Stand up," to Dawson. He saw tn
the negro was a foot and a half higa
than his private secretary. That
do. Dolefulness. You may CO..
"Now. SIR" said Dawson, III y
=, will be so kind as to give me wo
ly or two of advice l will proceed WI
=; business. I have stacked the lette
marked personal on your desk and sc
Ell the others to the heads Of the vario
of departments. Is that rightT
ro "Say, you-you, who's boss here.
or me? How did you know who I
heads of departments were"
. saThat's easy. L noticed the names
them. together with their department
emblazoned in box car letters on
doors of their offices in the>hall."
500 YOU mean to tell me that y
" have only passed down this aisle TIL
y times and know all the heads OF
partments by name?"
Certainly. What else are my Z.
for?"
Jackson didn't answer. he lookeu
his new employee moment tooh
ale seat and began to open his mai. La
lea son picked up a paper ana began
me read. Directly he said:
the sfBy the way, InOmas.
sec ~ IT,. - fd tho new secretary.
re- 1e9, oiA' -, - - +all n,
ct wish you would go ana tel
,un- Agnew, the stenographer INV
have, to come here You may sp'