The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-02-16

u 'M IT.
SURE, It's LITTLE MARY ANN,
SORR."
long ago | happened to overhear you
say it was easy enough to run busi-
ness of this kind after II was once
started. | wouldn't make any more
such remarks If / 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 officesboy who had
entered and was fidgeting near the desk.
"A telephone message from Mr..
Cochrane, of Willard, Simpson & Co,
sir He wants to know II he can come
down to, sec you at two oclock-about
the Zeller contract"
Yes; say I'll be here at two sharp"
You're wanted on the Office 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 workman with an arm in
q sling passed by.
Hello, Danny!" he called out.
Flows 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 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
at him now"
Mr.. Kennard had been stopped by a
messenger with some documents re-
quirins signature, and while he signed
these a broker slipped in beside him
and called his attention to certain fig
ures on scrap of paper, asking ques-
tions 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:
"No-no! Hold the wire! b. He's COM
ing!. In minute! Don't ring of,
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?.. i don't
know. Some one was calling me.
Nobody on the wire? All right"
He turned inquiringly to the boy.
Held 'em as long as I could SIR"
was the grinning answer, "but they
was gettin' madder 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 1t go then. I'll be
in the factory buildings for the next
Mr. Kennard's tour of the shops was
a most informal proceeding. It was
always expected but as he seldom ar
rived twice at the same hour Il was
never anticipated. His inspection,
while rapid, was anything but per-
functory. He moved through the
buildings, consulting foremen. hand
ling material. examining machinery,
studying drawings, making sugges-
tions, and asking questions which did
not always receive quick answers.
His every movement showed a knowl-
Edge OF the work In general and sur
prising familiarity with its detail.
Every man in the room felt that the
boss had done his particular work and
could do It again II occasion required
Many of them had seen him ''cover the
plant" In his apprentice days. when he
moved from bench to bench and from
machine to machine, gaining the prac-
tcal knowledge which grounded his
success. AS he passed the workers. he
never failed to nod a greeting sorne-
lines even addressing individuals by
lame and making inquiries which
'howed an intimate acquaintance with
numerous families and their affairs.
As a matter of fact, John Kennard
Snew almost every man of the 800 in
his employ To his mind. this was tho
most important detail Of his business.
md In II he took more than a business
interest.
There was no need for any one to
inter upon long explanations with the
boss. He wasted no time by inspect-
ng the wrong things, bit went straight
o the point Brisk as his movements
we're, his work was never hurried.
'ureness OF purpose and practica' cxpe-
'ience made thoronehnesa and dis
'atch possible.
II halt - hour be vas back at hls
!esk n TIE piIot-honse. signing and
'1cesfing lettegs, eheekin1 ~ columns