Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-01-29
"A DAY WITH A
Chief


clock for perhaps the twentieth time.
He had the look" muttered the
bookkeeper to his assistant in sepul-
chral tone, "of man who expects his
wife,"
Ten minutes later the Office boy
opened the door to stout lady wear
ing sealskin sack and diamonds.
We'll, Charles" the stout lady
hustled up to the chief cheerfully, Il
suppose you are ready to take me to
lunch"
mo, I am not ready to take you to
lunch" her spouse replied in tone of
evaporation, glancing at the clock
for the twenty-first time,
But"
Eyes, I know; but I've had no less
than IL Interruptions this morning,
and | must dictate my foreign mail
before one. The steamer sails at
three You'll have to sit down and
wait. Here's a chair; there's the
I morning paper"
But you said 12," insisted the lady
in an aggrieved tone. And, talk about
Interruptions" she added; why you
should have seen me this morning.
First the butcher, then the baker,
then the grocer on the phone; then a
jelly that wouldn't jell to reconstruct;
then the housemaid's finger to bind up
which she had cut on lamp chimney;
six callers to interview; the head Of
the Ladies Charitable guild to see
yet was able to keep my appoint
ment. don't see why you can't keep,
yours
"Sit down and wait awhile and you
will see," replied her better half,
grimly, as he turned to the pile of
mail on his desk and rang for his
stenographer.
Your favor of the 14th instant is at
hand"
Just then Spanish looking gentle
man, his cape thrown over his Shout
der serape fashion, opened the door:
II represent Baron Barrera of
Madrid" he said. THE baron has a
concession from the Spanish govern
ment and intends TO use your ma
chine entirely He estimates that he
can use many of them. How many
do you Think"
The chief gave it up and looked de-
spairingly at his pile of mail.
Twenty-Five thousand"
( Want to place your order now?"
'All right; when you get ready
come in and see u.s." He turned to his
stenographer:
you favor of the 14th instant is at
hand"
! The old Spanish don drew up his
shoulders proudly and stalked out of
the office, muttering Castilian oath.
Talk about your castles in Spain!
II had all the money these hot air
merchants peddle would be able to
pay the Standard Oil fne!" muttered
the chief as he went on with his die
tation.
He had to stop only seven or eight
times in the next ten minutes to reply
to insurance solicitors, charity agents,
feather busters" shoe laces and
matches" lady who wanted to "use
the phone just minute" and man
who wanted to borrow a stamp.
Then a dusty looking individual
wearing the broad brim hat OF the
west opened the door and confronted
the chief
Are you the head of this establish
ment?" he asked
II am that unfortunate" said the
person addressed. He motioned the
stenographer not to move.
Il represent the Nevada Silver Mine
company and we want your machines
If the price is right My motto is,
Machinery Drives Men, and I've at
last got the company to look at things
my way"
Il have check here for the pur-
chase of the machines signed by the
president of the company. I've got
to catch the nine o'clock train west
tonight but I'd like to see something
of the town before 60"
. Inc CHl0l 6ldHCcu al the DOOkk06p-
er. what do you think of it?" he
telegraphed rapidly.
The bookkeeper's shrug seemed to
give 1t up.
The chief looked apprehensively at
his wife. Then he crossed the room
and muttered in her ear:
"F'raid l can't keep that luncheon
engagement, after all I'll have to
take that fellow around, 1 suppose.
He may be the goods, although he
doesn't look it."
We'll, / never" began the lady,
growing red as turkey cock.
But was going to say" inter.
rupted the chief, hastily, that If you
want to go uptown and pick out that
ermine muff you've been wanting for
go long"
"And now" he said to the book
keeper when his wife had departed
her anger suddenly appeased, "give
me $50"
Answer what you can of the mail,
he called over his shoulder to the
stenographer as he trotted on with
the prospect" in tow.