The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-03-03
HOW | GOT NY START,
BY REclALD D. HAVEN.


safe and lock company. NY work
was mending locks that had got out
Of order and doing other odd Jobs that
required some knowledge of the bust
ness. l was anxious to get my affairs
in shape to marry my present wife,
but didn't see much prospect. The
concern was with kept me tinkefing
all the while. and when II wanted a
man to start branch office or some
thing like that it would choose one
of the clerks in the once.
II, had gone home one, evening and
had my supper when there was ring
at the doorhell and boy handed me
note. 1t was written on a letter
head Of a big manufacturing firm and
said that Mr.. Darlington, treasurer Of
the company I worked for, had rec
commended me for special job and
asked that come around to the office
as soon as convenient
Catching up my tool bog. which ]
had brought, home with me. went
with the boy to the once OF the man
ufacturing company. pleased with the
prospect of making tenner, and
found there a tall, handsomely dress
ed man. with gray hair and mutton
chop whiskers. and two OF three
clerks sitting on stools working over
ponderous books.
"Can you open that safer" asked
the man with the gray whiskers.
We've got a lot of work to do here
this evening. and our cashier. who
knows the. combination, went out OF
town this afternoon"
I looked at the name of the maker
in old letters on the safe, made my
observations and told the gentleman
that I didn't know any way to pick
the lock without drilling hole where
could get at the tumblers and that
would involve considerable expense to
put his safe in order again.
'.Never mind the expense" he said
impatiently. I've got to put in bid
tomorrow on hundred thousand rifles
for the army, on which I'll make halt
a million. The specifications, are all
in there. I must get them out and go
over them to see that they are right
The slightest slip in any detail will
throw out my bid. Come; get to
work."
/ plunged my hand into my bag. go'
out my brace and bits. adjusted them
and was soon at work.
Now. as worked 1t occurred to ms
that here was the opportunity OF m,
life. II this gentleman was depend
ent for his half million on me to ge
him into the safe. why shouldn't
have something more than beggarl,
ten dollar bill. saw that he was I'm
patient and thought I might get al
offer to do the work within a giveI
limit Of time.
I'm afraid" said. "this is goinl
to be an all night job"
"See here, young man." said thu
gentleman. "is there anything yol
want especially that costs lot mor'
money than you've got?"
"Yes, there u.s." replied. 81 want {
GIRL
"oh. I can't give you girl"
81 could get the girl quick enough
IL 4 had anything to marry on"
Hint said the gentleman, biting
at my hook IL see. How soon car
you guarantee to open the safe II its
made worth your while to hurry
"Three-quarters Of an hour"
Very well. II you'll do II In that
time I'll give you $1,000. II you do II
IN thirty minutes I'll make II 5000
Give me bit Of writing for that. /"
I said. And without waiting for him
10 DO so I began to drill furiously. my
racket making q terrible sound.
mfr. Perkins" said the gentleman
TO one OF the clerks. take tie type
writer and write to my dictation."
One Of the clerks sat down at .
typewriting machine and wrote out .
contract to cover the agreement made
with me. When II vas finished the
gentleman signed II and gave II TO
me. I wasn't going TO be fooled, 20 !
stopped drilling and read H.
Write II the bottom Of H." said.
athe money to be paid before the said
Thomas Jakeaway leaves this once"
He took the paper to his mahogany
desk and write what required. while
I went on drilling.
DO you have 70 make all that
nolses" be snapped. Cant you put
some oil or something on your driil7
They'll think outside there's . bur.
slary. going on IN here. II they come
in TO investigate I'd have to explain,
md fhere'd be lot Of delay"
The faster work." I said. the
more noise"
aMr. Perkins. you 90 on typevrit.
ing. Never mind what you write.
MAKE enough chatter TO drown this
boring"
-AlI right. sir" And the young man
began TO pound the keys so hard that
I thought he would break something
I was working like q beaver when
the gentleman came and stood over
me. watching me. Suddenly my brace
slipped. and as I was pressing hard
against II in STOPPING position lost
my balance and fell against him
Something dropped at my feet ] pick
cd Il up and felt the soft snoo'hnes'
OF wax. The gentlman snatched i
from me and without looking up Al
htxn n ra.dtnetad INV brace and wen