Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1906-11-16


turned to the typewriter, his stem
ographer having gone, and produced
the following:
I am pleased to say that Mr.
David Mullins, who has been in MI
employ, is an eminently worthy
young man whose desire is to do vel
whatever he undertakes. l do not
doubt that his services will be as
satisfactory to any future employer
as they have been to me.
Henry Ray
Mullins was much pleased with
this, the more especially as he had
secretly feared that he had not been
entirely successful in the insurance
business. He thanked his late en-
ployer heartily, and on Monday orn-
ing started on his search for another
place.
His travels presently brought him
to an Office which bore the sign.
William Evans, Coal and Wood. "
The proprietor was in, and although
his demeanor was far from gracious,
he did listen to what his visitor had
to say.
Il have jGst turned or orc fellow
who was of no earthly use,' he de-
clared, in rasping tone that seemed
to match a hard look n his eyes.
1t is next to impossible to get any
decent help nowadays. Recommen-
dations? Oh, of course! They all
have them" He accepted rather GIN
gerly those that Mullins now offered,
and glanced them over.
neutrality-suspicious. character
substantial business education
services satisfactory. Oh, they read
well enough, of course! Well, l
want man at one of my yards to do
the weighing and keep lookout for
things generally / may as we'll try
you as any one if you want the
chance. You may start in at once,
and l will give you a dollar a day
until Saturday night. If you suit,
I'll pay more after that. If you don't
suit you leave. What do you say,
yes or no?"
Mullins said yes, although the
work was not quite what he had Lad
originally in mind.
He was really much better ADAPTED
to this place than to his former one,
and he easily learned its duties.
Being of a practical turn of mind, he
soon saw the need of improvements
about the yard. For one thing, he
became convinced that the scales
were not accurate. Some of these
matters he took the liberty to bring
to the attention of his employer.
When Saturday night came he was
we'll satisfied with his success in his
new business, and he went to the Of
flee fully expecting a permanent en-
gagement with handsome increase
in salary. The proprietor had gone
home, but the bookkeeper handed
Mullins an envelope, which contained
ive-dollar bill and this note:
Dear Sir. 1 find upon trial that
you do not suit me, and l shall have
no further use for your services. En-
closed please find five dollars, pay
ment in full for five days work.
Your, etc.
William Evans"
This was cruel blow to moor Null
Inns, and he turned away in deep de-
lection, from which he had by no
means recovered when, on Monday
morning, he again started on his
rounds.
1t was indeed with very little hope
that in the course of the forenoon
he entered the Office of John Ark
wright, Contractor" But there was
something in Mr.. Arkwrights
shrewd, kindly face that encouraged
Mullins, and he was able to make ap-
plication with less than his usual
awkwardness.
Good recommendations, you
say?" repeated Mr.. Arkwright, as he
swung round in his revolving chair
and peered at his visitor through
steel-bowed spectacles.
He read with some care those that
were now put into his hands, and as
he did so the pleasant smile that
lighted up his rugged features gave
Mullins considerable encouragement.
"This your last placer" asked the
contractor, with his thumb on Mr..
Rays signature.
mo, sir. / was with Mr.. Evans,
the coal merchant, for short time"
THAT so? Did he give you a let
ter when you left?"
Mullins flushed painfully. Eyes,
SIR" he faltered, 'but 1 guess you
couldn't call it recommendation.
"Oh. well, I'll be the judge of that.
I'd like to look at it, If you don't
mind"
Mullins did mind, but he produced
the letter, which Mr.. Arkwright,
after adjusting his spectacles, read
with deliberation.
Come now" he said, as he handed
it back, that isn't bad. know that
man Evans, and what he requires,
and l shouldn't want much to do
with any one that did suit him. Sit
down, if you are not in o hurry, and
let's talk things over"
And soon Mullins was answering
questions that covered not only his
career at the seminary, in which he
felt some pride, but more especially
his experiences in earning none to
pay his way there, which he had
never thought of as being of interest
to any one.
WELL" said Mr.. Arkwright, at
last, II rather like your appearance,
and think that there may be some
thing in you. l don't need a book
keeper or clerk, but 1 could use a
young fellow who wasn't afraid to
work, and whose knowledge wasn't
confined to what he learned at school.
| reckon most of yours is outside of
that" he chuckled. "If you say so,
l will give you chance. It will be
only day-laborer's pay, and not much
different from day-laborer's work at
first; but If you can learn to go
ahead with job and to handle men
you may find it worth while by and
by"