The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-07-21

M!SIW =
SURE. IT'S LITTLE MARY ANN.
SORR."
long ago l happened to overhear you
say 1t was easy enough to run a bust
ness of this kind after 1t was once
started. l wouldn't make any more
such remarks II were you until my
department was better systemized
Wen probably lose the sale now. but
hurry up and see how quickly you can
get the facts together. What do you
want?"
He turned to an ONCE boy who had
entered and was fidgeting near the desk.
"A telephone message from Mr..
Cochrane, of Willard, Simpson & Co.,
air. He wants to know If he can come
down to see you at two o'clock-about
the Zeller contract"
Eyes; say I'll be here at two sharp"
You're wanted on the ONCE phone,
SIR" announced another boy. Party
says he must talk to you personally
and won't switch to the private wire. "
Kennard rose, and reached the door
Just as a workman with an arm in
sling passed by.
"How's your hand? Better? That's
good. Well have you on the ma
chine again next week, hope"
The workman thus addressed
shouted an answer and then paused
watching his employer hasten toward
the telephone.
THE boss is a remarkable man, Mr..
Sanders" he observed to the clerk
"a remarkable man"
Remarkable Is MT the word for
him." returned the other Hes won
derful-every detail at his fingers
ends. Caught me twice to-day. He
can do ten things at the same time,
and be thinking of ten others. Look
az him now"
Mr.. Kennard had been stopped by
messenger with some documents re-
lulring signature, and while he signed
these broker slipped In beside him
and called his attention to certain hg-
ures on scrap Of paper. asking ques-
tons and receiving answers. Then he
rose and started again for the tele-
phone closet, through whose open door
the Office boy could be heard shouting:
Mono! Hold the wire! He's COM
ing!. In a minute! Don't ring off,
Central! He's on his way now!"...
But Mr.. Kennard was not destined to-
reach the goal so swiftly. One of the
factory foremen was waiting for an
important word or two, and these,
quickly as they were spoken, delayed
him long enough to allow some one to
show him telegram which was read
and answered before he reached the
shouting youngster.
Hello, hello?. .Number?.. Il don't
know Some one was calling me-.
Nobody on the wire? All right"
He turned inquir!ngly to the boy.
Held 'em as long as I could, sir"
was the grinning answer, "but they
was gettin' madden than hops and"
Never mind, ring them up again"
Don't know who they was, sir
Wouldn't give no name and swore
when asked the number"
"All right Let it go then. I'll be
in the factory buildings for the next
half-hour."
Mr.. Kennard's tour of the shops was
a most informal proceeding. 1t was
always expected. but as he seldom ar
rived twice at the same hour it was
never anticipated. His inspection
while rapid was anything but psr-
He moved through the |
buildings, consulting foremen. hand |
ing material, examining machinery /
studying drawings, making SUCCESS
TORS, and asking questions which die |
not always receive quicl. answers
His every movement showed q lnowl- !
,dge of the work in general and sur
rising familiarity with its detail
every man in the room felt that tfS
Joss had done his particular work anu
'ould do dt again if occazion required
Many of them had seen him "corer ms
liant in his apprentice days, wfen he
moved from bench to bench and from
machine to machine, gaining the prac-
i3al knowledge which grounded MS
success. AS he passed the workers, ne
lever failed to nod a greeting, some
lines even addressing individuals by
lame and making inquiries which
bowed an intimate acquaintance with
numerous families and their affairs.
IS matter Of fact, John Kennara
new almost every man of the 800 In
lis employ. To his mind, this was TIC
nost important detail of his business.