Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-12
= D How G HerHYlallC Corning
 Paid the Price<
tcopyrighs. 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col
By HOMER r1sK

would become a successful business man and the possessor of great riches From his earliest memory he had hated the narrow village life and thecranped home existence, where every penny had to be watched in order to make both ends meet. He dreamed of great es- tablishments with hundreds of busy workers, all pliable to his will, as ex- pressed from the inner office. He dreamed of meeting the greatest and most powerful men of affairs and dic- tating terms or forcing them to com- promise with him.
 Among all his playnaates at school but one sympathized with his ambi- tions or believed in him. That one was Hannah Curtin, the grave-eyed girl with the high forehead, who always stood at the head of her class. All the rest derided him.
 T believe you will succeed, Her man." said she, seriously. rand when you do I will marry you"
 twill you?" asked Herman, eagerly. And Nthen he added with a stubborn set of his square jaw, .sYou may have to wait long time, Hannah, because if don't succeed at first will keep on trying"
 So the compact was sealed and one fine day, when Herman was 15, he full filled the worst prophecies of the vil- lage gossips by going away to the great city. He was able to scrape together barely money enough to get him there, but he feared nothing. He had heard the expression merchant prince" and it attracted his imagination. He re- solved to enter mercantile life.
 Upon reaching the city he went di- rectly to the biggest wholesale house in the city, Hope, Norris & Co, and sturdiIy walked into the office of the head of the concern.
 He was a tri1e perturbed at the vast ness of the institution and the exclsive- ness of the office of the great MT. Hope. But he rallied in moment.
 Am not also to be great mer- chant" he said to himself. "He is no better than am-only older"
 So Herman walked boldly into the presence of the great man, who froWned at the intrusion.
 t'We1l?" he demanded.
 Herman looked him squarely in the eye. His momentary timidity had van isned He was in the very inner sane tuary, which was the home of his dreams He felt fully confident.
 My name is Herman Corning" he said steadily. T have decided to be- come merchant. That is why came to the city. I want to learn the busi- ness and get start. That is why came here. I am not afraid of hard work and I can live on small wages. Will you give me a trial?'
 The merchant had turned away with an impatient gesture when Herman be- gan The odd way of putting the prop osition arrested his attention and the intense earnestness of the boy attract ed him.
 why did you come to me?" he said sharply. Don't you know that depart ment heads hire the employes?"
 "I wanted to talk to the head of the house" replied Herman simply.
 The merchant pushed button and man appeared instantly.
 t'Take this boy to Hopkins 2 commanded Hope, land tell hirn to set him to WOrk.
 And so Herman Corning found him. self launched in merchantile life as as- sistant stockkeeper at six dollars per week He worked hard and gave no thought to anything outside the busi- ness of the department. He did so much work that his fellow employees disliked him. Hopkins noted the inn proved condition of the stock, how ever, and after a few months Herman had his wages raised to eight dollars. He cared little for this He was per- fecting his Knowledge of the stock and of prices. Meanwhile he watched the salesmen and customers like cat There was a whole shelfful of but tons of ancient vintage, which Herman noticed were never called for. One day Houston, a salesman, was trying to at tend to two customers.
 Here, boy" he said to Herman, "pull down some buttons for Mr. Park ins. LII be right back and give him prices"
 Parkins was from crossroads town. Herman pulled down the buttons that never sold. He knew the prices Ulti- u1dCC1y | dlhAAS UOuSul udlI JIG 0uLlEe 1 lot.
 This transaction so pleased Hopkins that Herman was called on frequently to take customer when the salesmen were busy. Two years after Herman entered the place he was made a regu- ] lar salesman at $20 per week. He al- ways sold the things that stuck on the l shelves. MT. Hope learned of this and complinented him on this point Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper l to have buyer who did not load dead stock on us?" asked Herman grave1y. l A week later he was made assistant manager of the department and en- 1 trusted with considerable share oi the buying.
 | Shortly after this, when Herman was | just turned 19, he went to MT. Hope. "I am going to resign" said he.
 Whats the trouble?" demanded l Hope. "Ain't you getting enough?''
 ''Oh, yes, sir,' replied Herman, .'that | part is all right7everything. in fact, is |