Evening star., 1909-04-18

Il suppose it is my fault, Shorty says he. 1T
was the only opening had, and went in to make
success. But | haven't, SO far. The whole thing,
from punching the time clock when l report to
standing in line at the pay window. CRATES on my
nerves.
"Oh. you'll get used to all that" says L and the
first thing you know you'll be general manager
yourself with a secret exit to the subway and
right to check out on the yellow dog account"
Not while Mr. Prigge is there, says he shuttin'
his jaw hard.
A ND from then got bulletins on this Priggle
n party He's the boss of Humphreys depart
ment, and. accordin to the description handed me,
he's sort of Burbank product somewhere between
fox terrier and adding machine; sawed off
little runt with seven and quarter head and
IA soul. and disposition like bantam rooster.
He's been IN the office over twenty years. and has
never been minute late or left minute early in
all that time He knows all about his department.
from the date of the first application to the average
number Of rubber bands used durin any month in
the year. He's as lar as timeball, and about
he just eats em alive and to hear him roastin'
of his slaves for maxim mistake, you'd think the
man had been caught drillin' holes in the safe
Maybe you can guess, then, what happens to
Humphrey about eleven times week: once when he
oversleeps and shows up half an hour late; again
when he upsets the red ink file case; and still
perfectly good life insurance clerk shouldn't do
Does this Prggle gent give Humphrey the call down
hard and often? Yes. and then some.
Really it's quite humiliating at times, siys
You know how mild one of these quiet, slow
spoken chaps can be. don't have to be on the spot
to how works out; for it's easy picture this
Mr. Prggle gettn out of breath and red in the face
and Humphrey sittin' there goin' white with his
jaws set. takin it all without murmur. Oh. he
was game! He stood for it because he didn't want
to make record gutter.
But there's need for Priggle to nag and bully
me" says Humphrey. ''even # he is my superior.
He's IA contemplate cur. that's what he isl"
Maybe should have just given him the laugh and
told him to take the knocks same others have to;
but he such thin skinned, overgrown kid, and
there's such puzzled desperate look in them serious
eyes of his that l cant help feelin' sorry for him
see that what he needs is little straight talk SO
cuts loose with the best got.
SEEMS like something awful to you, don't it,"
- says l. But listen, Humphrey: all in the world
hired man. and that commoner than toothache or
chapped lips. Not that l deny it's enough
tragedy, just the same. I've been there myself.
| know how it feels to have another man shake my
job at me and hold the blue envelope over my head.
sometimes for no better reason than that he been
out the night before The sensations amt pleasant:
new to you because you're gettin' 'em late; but
you're lucky, at that. It's only chesty notion
about wantin' to make good that keeps you bumped
the desk when the boss cracks his whip. How
would it be if you had wife and kids?"
Humphrey lets out sigh of relief at that.
. All" says l. Get the idea Ell? Now about
this Priggle Looks to you like fend in human
form. don't he? But the chances are he's just
average boss grindin' because he's ground. The
Dig DOSS grOWlS at the little DOSS and the little boss
yaps and snarls at them that can't yap back. It's
business. That's the way things run, and
long as you're hired man you We got to be ready to
knuckle down. Once you get that through your
head, you'll soon get you won't mind any more'n
the others do"
Il hope So, says Humphrey.
so off he goes with set of ideas and some
- brand resolutions Yet it want week
later that he blows out cylinder head. Seems he'd
been rushn his work, maxim desperate struggle
to do as much was expected of him, when
afternoon Priggle comes snoopin around and begins
maxim discoveries
"A blot, sir!" says he. Two blots Very SLOW