The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-10-19
BURROWS SHAVE.
BY H. S. CASWELL.

When Jimmie Tolliver first made his
appearance on Wall street as a mes
senger in the office of Burton, Brooks
& Burton, he felt that to a very large
extent he had become a part and par
Gel land no unimportant pOrtion) of
that vast financial institution common
ly known as the Street"
He looked upon the Sub-Treasury.
guarded night and day by the statue
of Washington. with an air of pro-
prietorship, and uptown he lorded 1t
over all the boys in his block. His
pride was not without foundation, for
a youngster who obtains a position in
Wall street must be well recommended,
and such situations are more difficult
to obtain than work in other lines.
Jimmie ran errands just like Fred
Henderson. but he had to run faster
and get back more promptly. for a de-
lay of ten seconds might mean the
loss of as many thousands, and surely
this is enough responsibility for 10
year-old.
1t was his duty to run to the other
and at times he handled large sums in
negotiable securities.
He was a bright, self-reliant young
ster, and his quickness and good nature
not only made him many friends. but
won him early promotion, as before
long he was put in charge of the 9TH
er messengers. Then the duty fell on
him of escorting the junior partner to
the safety deposit vaults.
N 4 he
brokers keep their stocks over night
Instead at the close of each days
business, all the papers and securi-
ties are deposited in a strong box and
taken to the safety deposit vaults by
the cashier or some member of the
firm. to be brought back the next
morning.
There is small danger of robbery,
for the police are plentiful; but the
responsible messenger is always es-
corted by some one in case of accident,
and Jimmie, who was a strapping lad
for his age, went along to "see that
Mr.. Burton didn't drop dead" as he
explained it.
He and Henry Burton, a son of the
senior partner, and only recently adj
mitted to the firm, were great friends
Burton was a genial young fellow and
the possessor of most of Jimmie's Sc
crets including his longing for an au-
tomobile and his ambition to become
telephone clerk for the firm.
Burton had promised to use his in
fiuence toward the furtherance of this
latter ambition, but the telephone
clerk, who works on the floor of the
exchange and carries the orders to the
Hcor operator, is usually an older man
and Burton had to counsel patience.
They were discussing the age ques-
ton as they made their way back from
the vaults of the safety deposit COM
pany along the narrow crowded street
TN be as young looking as you to-
morrow" Burton said, laughingly
I'm going to have my moustache off
in the morning and when / get down to
the office l guess I'll look as big a kid
as you, Jimmie
HUH" retorted Jimmie as he eyed
the Junior partners well covered upper
lip obviously, Il only wisht' | had it,
I'd get that job at the telephone. Any
how, / hope you don't look any more
like that man Gorham than you do
now. They say that when they see
your back they can't tell you apart. /
can, though"
Gorham was Jimmie's pet aversion.
He was a questionable Spectator, who,
because he handled big accounts for
friends, was made welcome at the Of
hce. Jimmie had never participated in
this welcome since the day Gorham
had cursed him for not getting out of
his way.
Burton laughed. IT guess you won't
be bothered by Gorham much longer
Jimmie" he said. Hes pretty close to
the wall, l hear, and unless he makes
good certain losses within two days he
will not be permitted to trade"
He can't get out any too quick for
me" Jimmie muttered, as they went
up the steps and into the office, and
then nc forget the subject in an effort
to arhtrate between two of the mes
sengers, who had taken advantage of
his absence to settle difference in the
hallway.
But it came back to him the next
morning as he sat at his desk reading
in the Commercial Journal a hint that
a certain operator might be dlscredited
because of his failure to pay up his
losses. He threw down the paper as
the senior Burton came in, and sprang
to, the gate to admit him behind the
railing.
Hasn't Mr.. Burton come in?" he de-
manded, as he cast a quick glance at
his sons empty seat.
Jimmie shook his head.
well, if he isn't here in 10 minutes
get the cashier to go over to the safe
deposit vault with you. want that
G. and K. scrip at once. My boy
should have been here early He knew
that there was more negotiable paper
in the box than usual, and that l want
ed some of it early. Sol Here you
arei" he broke off. II want that box,
and I want it right away
Come on, Jimmie" said the young
er man, but Jimmie made no move.
"Come!" said the senior sharply as
he saw that the boy made no move
Get your hat and hurry up"
Jimmie went to the messenger call
and pulled the hook all the way over
Then he came back to the gate II
amt going with him." he said INGRAM
matically, but determinedly.
What's the matter with your" de-
manded the elder Burton impatiently
Have you taken leave of your
senses 2"
you amt seen Mr.. Harry before
this morning have you?" asked Jimmie
irrevelantly.
What difference does that maker"
Numbered the head of the firm. You
get your hat and go with Mr.. Henry
or go homel But get out of herel"
ut makes this difference" retorted
Jimmie defiantly. Mr.. Henry told me
last night he was going to shave off
his moustache. Mr.. Gorham needs
money and he might have got 1t only
he didn't know that Mr.. Henry was
going to shave clean this morning"
and with a bound he sprang at the
younger man and tore off a wig and
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