The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-10-01
sA,A.A.AAA.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.k.
;TOM DAWSON,
J IL Private Secretary !
! BY w. II. DURHAM
Y Copyright, 1901, by w. II. Durham


SNVNN
Thomas Dawson was private secre-
tary to the head of downtown whole
sale house. Old Jackson used to say
TINT 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 n reporter and good one. That
means, MS everybody knows, that he
knew little of everything IN tho
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 Is open. do your growled old
Jackson ut Dawson when that young
gentleman appeared. do you know
TINT this Is II most confidential place
and TINT, while knowledge of the bust
ness and lines We handle Is not abso-
lutcly necessary, yet TO man of not
more than average intellect who IL In
experienced the position Is impossibep
"Why, of course l can hold 1t. Do
you suppose | would come shopping
around here II didn't think you need.
ed mci"
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. | 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"
lie was gone before the old man
could stop him. He left the door open
as he went out trick for which q
man had been fired only the day be
fore. Old Jackson seemed TO shrink
into himself until he WIS almost sit
ting OH his back. staring out the open
door at the stalwart back of his new
secretary as II went down the long
aisle and out the front door.
"Bang!" went the old mans fist ON
the bell. A huge negro, dressed like u
comic valentine. sprang into the office.
"Dolcfulness, roarcd the old man,
did you see that young fellow 30 outT'
Eyes, sab; saw him." said the
black
"Well, when that fellow comes bucls
| kill him."
! Dolefuincss disappeared as rapid,
as he had come, and the old gentle
man went out TO lunch. When he re
| turned, Dawson was scented Mt II desk
looking over the mall which had just
arrived.
"What the dev- Where's that Dole.
fulncssr
"Who the niggcrT said Dawson,
continuing TO sort the mail. Hes In
the closet"
With bang the door of the coat-
room In the old mans private office
hit Use wnll Dolefulness, bound and
gagged ;,mblcd on the floor,
"Wcll!' gasped Jackson, sinking into
a chair and hopping his forehead. 1t
was 10 degrees below zero outside. and
he had been kicking at the flrcmen all
day. what does this mcanT'
"Oh, nothing" said Dawson. THE
Niger got kinder gay when | came
from lunch, and | just put him on Ice.
Shall ! release himf
"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 agolnf'
Eyes, sab, yo' did, but he seed me
fust Just MS was goln' To hit him wild
my billy"
"What did he dor
"Jest grabbed me by de collnh; he
held me wild one hand and tied me wild
the oddcr."
"Stand up" to Dawson. lie saw TINT
the negro WIS foot and half higher
than his private secretary. "Thatll
do, Dolefulness. You mny CO.
"Now, SIR" said Dawson, IF you
Will be 30 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. Is TINT rightT
"Say, you you, who's boss here, you
or me? How did you know who the
heads of departments wereT
CHATS easy. | noticed the names of
them, together with their departments,
emblazoned In box car letters OH 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
partnents by uamef"
"CertalnIy. What else are my eyes
forfp
Jackson didn't answer. lie looked at
his new employee moment, took his
seat and began TO open his mail. Daw-
son picked up n paper and began to
read Directly he said:
by the way. Thomas"
eyes, sir" said the new secretary.
II wish you would go and tell Miss
Agnew, the stcnogrnpher always
have. to COME here. You may spend
the time looking over the store. Come
bnck IN m hour"
Dawson looked the store over from
top to bottom In that hour. He intro
duced himself TO every man In the
place and brought II smile to the face
of each A thinly 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 desk
rcposed a note.
well" he said, II guess it's up to
me. | supposed from the way the old