Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-29
Commercial Poker
By Dwight Spencer Anderson

TN out of job. And the strange part of it
is that wasn't discharged, or even dis
missed, and didn't resign. In fact, there's
no word to express what happened, unless you
say was promoted. But how can man be
promoted and out of job at the time?
III tell you.
| met Jack Sharer on the street Yesterday,
and that's what caused all the trouble We
left college the same year, Jack and l. He
has succeeded; | have not.
Jack, | said, after we had asked each other
about our respective relatives, you look as if
you were making mint of money
Well he replied casually Il don't know
about the mint; but get check for a hun
dred and fifty dollars every two weeks"
You have risen rapidly" l continued,
and no more quickly than you deserve. A
man of your ability cannot be kept at the bot
tom"
Bill" he replied in a confidential whisper.
"Tll tell you something that may do you a
world of good. I'm a fraud bluff Further
more, lots of men secure big wages the same
way | do-bluff."
Do they?"
You bet they doi' he replied with fervor
why, I've seen a hundred examples. Take
my own case, for instance year ago my
salary was a hundred and seventy-five dollars
month. But went to my employer, looked
him in the eye and said. Mr. Charlesworth.
| received an offer this morning of a position
with the Person people He jumped as if |
had hit him. How much?' he inquired
d
month Then the old man began to tremble
and turn pale. His knees shook like saplings
in hurricane. We cant spare you he fall
tered we can't spare you even for a dayI
You're the only man in our employment who
knows exactly how the business is conducted.
You could take complete charge this minute
and run things as well as | can myself We
can't spare you. VIII you remain with us at
the same fgure? | stood there in his Office
and thought hard for ten minutes. Then |
told him that there seemed to be an oppor-
tunity for further advancement in the near
future, I'd stay"
Had the Pierson people offered you the
position of which you spoke?"
Jack snapped his fingers "Nitr'
On the way back to our Office, | considered
Jacks remarks from every viewpoint and
concluded he was right. Employers are not
Philanthropists. They don't appreciate a
mans value until about to lose him. So
stepped in to see the head of the firm.
tired smile We'll, Mr.. tohnson?"
II just dropped in to say" | announced
that | am in receipt of proposition from the
Atwater Electric Company"
Well wellP said my employer pushing
they offer?"
Zone hundred and fifty dollars a month";
you don't mean it," he exclaimed as
establishment oversPread his features. Let
me see; you're getting only hundred here?
Well, well. When do they want you to
START"
1t was my desire to have any increase in
salary begin to take effect at once. To
morrow | replied.
johnson" the old man continued laying
his hand on my arm, we can't afford to lose
you. The firm appreciates your faithful,
earnest efforts during two years. service But
such unusual opportunity as this may never
come your way again: you had better grasp
it now. | assure you will miss you greatly,
Johnson; but | suppose after awhile we can
+nlr- 4tsN.rf
own good. That thought will comfort us.
Good-by."
So I'm out of job. If you hear of an open
ing for a competent bookkeeper who can fur
nish the best references as to character and
ability, please mention my name. You may
add, if you wish, that l neither drink, smoke,
nor bluff.