Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1906-11-16
MULLINS RECOMMENDATIONS
BIZ F. E. C. ROBBINS,


like this?" demanded Mr.. Perham
mead of the commercial department
ana bursar of Pine Grove Seminary
as ne sat i'll his Office the morning
aIter graduation day, pen in hand
ana sheet of paper before him.
What is the case?" asked Mr.
clark OF the classical department
VINO had just entered the room.
wei, you know Mullins?" began
Mr.. Perham.
Mullins, the young giant? Yes,
know him slightly, of course,
though he has never come under nv
instruction.
Fortunately for you," declared
the bursar. well, Mullins has fin.
ished here at last, and he wants
me"
Why, he hasn't received a diplo-
ma, has he?" Interrupt ed Mr.. Clark.
OF course not 1t is ny belief
that he couldn't get diploma i, he
spent the rest of his natural life
here. But he has wisely made I'D his
mind to take his leave without one.
and i'll lieu thereof he wants me to
write him q recommendation.
l nate to refuse him, but what
can say? He is a good fellow, hon
est as the day, and with plenty of
muscle. l could recommend lin for
place on a coaster or in logging
camp. He has earned by hard labor
the money to come here. But he
wants business career, and ] f.,
would certainly be failure in an
otf1ce or store, just as he has been
IN the school. | have tried 60 tell
him as much in delicate sort of
way, but he doesn't take the hint.
he will have to find it out for him
self Meanwhile, suppc-a that l
shall have to write something for
| him''
You might take pattern by an old
time president of the college where |
was graduated" said Mr.. Clark. I'm
somewhat similar case, so the story
goes he wrote testimonial after
his fashion: ''This is to certify that
Mr.. So-and-so has finished his course
at this college, with equal credit to
himself and to the institution. e"
Mr.. Perham smiled, but made no
reply. He began his task, however,
and soon completed it as follows:
To Whom 1t May Concern: The
bearer of this note, Mr.. David Null
Inns, has been for some time past a
student in the commercial depart
nent of Pine Grove Seminary, and l
;heerfully commend him as a young
man of irreproachable character and
ane physique. While circumstances
prevented his completing the course,
the time that he spent here was
amply sufficient to enable a student
ot industry and ability to acquire
substantial business education.
Charles G.. Perham."
There he said, after leading it
aloud, that is literally true, it can
10 no harm, and it will satisfy Null
| lins.'
1t certainly did satisfy Mullins.
Why, professor" he exclaimed,
Joyful, when he read the recommen-
dation, Il didn't know you would
feel like saying so much for me! /
thank you kindly, professor Then
he added, with littel catch in his
voice, Il hope 1 may have a chance
to do as much for you some time"
Mr.. Perham WINGED little, partly,
40 doubt, but not wholly, on account
Of the grip of a strong right hand
with which the honest youth had en-
phasized his gratitude.
Mullins had chosen a thriving city
In a neighboring State as the scene
of his business career, and the next
week he was on the ground, ready to
begin.
1t seemed, however, that the bust
ness men of the city were just then
very well provided with clerks, and
he spent several days in visiting Of
fees without once being invited to
accept position.
But at last, in modest sixth-floor
office, he found a man who was at
least willing to talk with him. This
was Mr.. Ray, young insurance
agent.
You were educated at Pine Grove
Seminary, eh?" said Mr.. Ray, with a
show of interest. 81 know one of the
teachers there very well-Perham,
head of the commercial department,
I Think"
"Yes!" said Mullins, eagerly. 81
have fine recommendation from
Professor Perham in my pocket"
"Ah, indeed" said Mr.. Ray, glanc-
ing at the paper that was offered
him. "Yes, that is his autograph,
fast enough. Perham was my room
mate at college, and a right good
fellow. I haven't seen him since we
were graduated. Sit down, won't
you, and tell me about him?"
THAT is first-rate," he declared,
after listening to a glowing account
of his friend. 81 am delighted to
hear from the old fellow. And now
about your case. To tell the truth,
l hadn't thought of any more Office
help. But-perhaps I might work
you In to help on the books and to
act at general utility man about the
office. 1t will be small pay at first,
but If you are adapted to the bust
ness it will lead to something bet
ter
There was no difficulty about COM
ing to terms, and Mullins at once
made his start in the insurance bust
ness.
One evening some time later Mr..
Ray said to his wife, 1--WE got to get
rid of my new clerk. I'm sorry about
it. for he is thoroughly good fell
low-but stupid, stupid! 1 was get
ting along very well before, but
have certainly been overworked since
Mullins came. It's queer, too. He
took the commercial course at Pine
Grove Seminary, under Charlie Per-
ham, you know. And Perham gave
him first-rate recommendation
hope he isn't fair sample of Per-
hams graduates.
So the next day Mr.. Raw. in as