The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-09-22
THE BAG-0F-BEANs TEST.

Very well, " remarked Mr.. Henry
Thurston, looking up from his desk.
where he was just signing check.
SO they've passed the punctual and
honesty tests! Now try them on the
bag of beans. A fellow will never
make a success in our business if he
gets cross and shows temper over,
trffiing mishaps and unavoidable ac-
c1dents. And one is always meeting
with just such annoyances in work
of this kind The one who proves
himself good natured at the bursting
of the bag-if either does-may be
told that he is engaged at 81 week. .
Mr.. Thurston paused and took up
his pen
Wait minute" quickly, after
moments reflection BE sure there's
enough water on the counter to thor
oughly wet the bottom of the bags.
Then, too, try one of them this after
noon, and the other at the same time
tomorrow. 1t might hardly be fair
test of their dispositions to make use
of it on either of the two boys in the
morning. One sort of feels better
natured then, you know, any way"
Mr.. Nelson, head clerk in the big
wholesale and retail establishment of
Thurston & Lincoln, left the comfort
ably furnished office of the firm, and
went back to the busy delivery de-
partment.
There were three qualifications
which the head of the establishment
insisted that each employee of the
company should possess and strictly
live up to. These we're honesty,
punctuality and wholesome good nat
ure. Boys had been known to lose
their positions there, owing to their
getting angry over mere trifes. Mr..
Thurston felt that a boys usefulness
to the firm depended on an unruf1ed
disposition quite as much as it did
on punctuality and honesty.
The constant growth and enlarge
ment of Thurston & Lincoln's bust
ness made it necessary from time to
time to increase their working force
accordingly. And it was the custom
OF the company to promote at such
times the men and boys already in
their employ, leaving to be filled by
the new hands only the bottom
down" places, as the clerks charac-
teristically called them.
One of the men had just now been
sent out on the road as a travelling
salesman - the firm did a large
wholesale business causing, after a
Encouragement of the force, vacan-
cy in the delivery department.
Harold Stephenson and his cousin.
Willis Fuller, had both applied for
the position, and they of all the many
applicants had passed the punctuality
and honesty tests, and now it lay be-
tween the two boys as to which one
would be successful in obtaining the
desired situation.
Thurston & Lincoln had the repu-
tation of being the most desirable
firm with which to hold a job in the
large and thriving village of Muncie.
II s'pose it's selfish-I admit it
but hope old man Thurston will
give me the place." declared Harold
Stephenson, with an air of careless
disrespect. He was talking with
Willis over their prospects the even
ing before the first bag-of-beans test.
"Of course, I'd like for you to have
it. too, but you wouldn't mind losing
it as much as l would This proba-
ton stunt of his-I don't imagine
Mr.. Lincoln has anything to do with
it's a queer wrinklel l call it q
piece of downright foolishness. i
| don't know how you regard it,"
1t gives them chance to find out
whether they want a fellow or not"
replied Willis, considerably. For
my part | think it's a pretty good
scheme. OF course it keeps fellow
in suspense-and all that"
Which one of us do you s'pose
will land the job. anyhow? Give
us your opinion" And Harold
| picked up chip and began whiting
aimlessly.
| Il haven't the least idea--but one
OF us. And I'm rather proud that
we've been singled out from all the
other fellows who've made applica-
| tion.a There were twenty at least
who applied for the place"
More'n that" exclaimed Harold
mot very many more And, if
they give it to you, stand show of
getting the next place when a va
cancy occurs. | won't be disappoint-
ed, though; | don't very we'll see how
could if you get it,
| I've been trying hard enough, I"
and Harold put up his jackknife.
After I'm once sure of the job, you
bet your life | won't be as painstak-
ing over every little thing as I've
been this week. It's just killing ON a
fellow to be so punctual and all that
kind OF NONSENSE person couldn't
stand it long"
He'd have to while he worked for
Thurston & Lincoln remarked Will
lis, quietly. And it's no more N
right he should q
We'll. you can, If you get the
place. You'd be fool. though.
The two boys. while closely re-
lated. were entirely different in dis
| position and temperament. Harold
4 al q ~ ~ ~. xxyoc xuaI1 dooo..sfs