The Washington herald., 1910-05-15

It wise 10 keep my red hands behind my
back and to crate no more than was need
ful under the circumstances. III work
a month";. I said. 'on trial In a day or
two I was standing behind a counter in
the dress goods department Waiting on
women made me feel like a girl, com
pared. Of course, with fishing and then
picking our catch in the hold.
But I watched the other clerks and
soon learned what TO say. They meant
to work in stores all their lives. but
didn't. I noticed that they lacked push
and were mighty well pleased with their
own looks. While they were smoothing
their hair. pulling down their cuffs. and
adjusting their neckties I was hustling
as hard as l could I got six promotions
in two years. and IS week at last; not
very bad pay, considering the time and
vicinity.
Specialist Was Suggested.
But I began to have trouble with my
tubes. 1 doctored. but doctors Of the
ordinary sort did me no good. Somebody
suggested a specialist. I can take your
money he said, but would rather give
you advice. He was an honest man and
bluff Go West he said. I was in
California once and was a fool for COM
ing back. Anywhere out there is better
than the East. Just start and then stop
and you can't make a mistake. no matter
the place. Meanwhile, you will not need
the services Of a physician. Your throat
the New England coast
Il thought the subject over, and then
told the people at the store was through
with clerking This I said. Is no place
for a poor man. more especially II he is
merchandising a young fellow named
Kelly, likewise a clerk. said he'd GO. too.
We bought tickets to Kansas City. Per-
sonally. I had no point in view; I simply
wanted 70 go West. From Kansas City
we moved to Topeka. II didn't take a
great deal for two Yankee boys to live on.
Topeka wasn't much Of a blackboard
sidewalks and pine buildings. and some Of
them implanted. 1 moved about and got
acquainted. A Boston man was master
mechanic Of the Santa Fe Railroad He
gave Kelly and me passes TO Albuquerque.
in the Territory OF New Mexico I had
no reason to go there except that it was
farther along toward sunset Albu-
querque was not impressive, so went
straight through to Winslow, Ariz.. which
was the end Of the railroad at that time.
Assistant to Tenmster.
Machinery was being hauled by wagon
to Flagstaff for a sawmiIl 1 engaged
myself to a flerce-looking teamster as mis-
first assistant Anyway. I would be NOV
ing and getting my board while engaged
In so doing. Also my lodgings-on the
ground. under the wagon. Kelly, unused
to roughing. said he'd meet me later in
San Francisco. And that was the last
saw OF him. Flagstaff was nothing more
than log store. a saloon, and tent or
two in the forest The man who was build
Ing the sawmill gave me Job, although
he said I was rather slim for heavy work
Pretty soon we were cutting s.. 900 feet of
pine daily, I working here and there.
making up I'm speed what I lacked in
strength and lifting ability.
As testimony, individual, let Il be
known that had once clerked in Boston,
Mass. Perhaps I mentioned fishing.
When the sawmlll company started
store / was asked to operate the same.
My speciality I said, IS ladies' dress
goods 1 know nothing about kerosene.
nour' pork. or molasses' But steady
young men were scarce in those parts: I
was again solicited. whereat l began to
negotiate. was getting $50 d month,