The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1911-12-08

Employer

Pretty, winsome Harriet Lennon
had been clerking at Marston's de
partment store for nearly two months
ALREADY she had lost the pretty color
from her cheeks and she found II
much harder to sell waist than she
Imagined IL could be when formerly
she had the money to purchase what
ever she desired.
did that woman buy the waist she
was looking at?" questioned Nora.
mo. after I had wasted a quarter
of an hour showing her everything #
stock she said: These waists are
beautiful, but I haven't the money
my dear"
That's the way it is with those
old hens,'" commented Nora. They
seem to have nothing on earth to dc
but to poster salesladies, and some
women think because they have
plenty of money it's their privilege
to leave their manners at home"
1.-THE very words lingerie waists
gives me O pain" admitted Harriet
"Tm weary OF trying to make thir
ty-six waist nit woman who takes
size forty-four, when we happen tc
be out Of her size"
mo, madam" she said, turning
around, 1--WE haven't any blue chiffor
waists with chenille trimming ans
gold braid. I'm sure she wouidn't
buy one If we had it."
whats the trouble with you? You
seem SO disheartened," asked Nora
alphabetically.
This is the first position I evel
had, but I presume I can stand the
customers. I try my best, but the
way girl is treated just because she
has to earn her living is disgrace
full"
You're too naughty" advised Nora
"Be a little more agreeable. III the
manager tells you to sell a waist FOL
all silk, sell 1t for that, and don't ex
plain to the would-be customer thai
1t is only near-siIk, sewed with near
silk thread, not made in a union shop
and that it Is embroidered by ma
chinery and not by hand
Possibly I'm wrong, but no differ
ence what I do or say he, Mr.. Mar
ston, the proprietor, always finds faul
when he goes by this department
Either the boxes aren't straight, OF
the waists are laid on the table
crooked, or I should have made 9
sale; I went to lunch or came bach
too late. If my mother wasn't de
pendent upon me I'd leave this In
slant"
Strange, Mr.. Marston should be 80
critical. He is SO full OF business
that he usually leaves the minor de
tails to his managers. Cheer up
yon'n get used to 1t twenty years
from now; you'll even wonder that
You noticed such things as imperti
nent shoppers and critical employers
Twenty years from now, gracious!
Don't mention waists In connection
with the future to me. I'd Like to
waste my time that long selling
waists marked down from SO to $29S
and others marked up from 1898 tc
$685."
IF you continue to dress In that
convent fashion," said the other girl
glancing admiringly at her own over
trimmed gown, dress your hair In
that absurd simple style, never put
any color on your face when you iooA
CHASTITY pale, and not make the least
effort to please the men"
Thank you for your well-meant
advice, but the men I'm likely to meet
in this business are not the men ]
care to know socially" commenced
Harriet, who was interrupted by a
young boy who said: "Mr. Marston
wishes to see you in his private office
Immediately"
Poor thing" said Nora to one OF
the girls as Harriet, shaking like an
aspen leaf, started for the third floor
"She 10 SO refined. / wanted to help
her, but ! guess she is going to lose
her position. Only recently they lost
all their money. 1t breaks her moth.
er's heart that she has to work"
As Harriet entered the spacious
office, Mr.. Marston arose saying kind
ly: why are you trembIing?"
I'm sorry didn't suit you" began
Harriet, gaining courage.
But you did. | know all about you
I've watched you since the first day
you came. Grasped every opportunity
to talk with you without making IL
evident Now want to ask you how
would you like to become the owner
OF this store"
Sir" said Harriet, how dare you
ask me to come to your Office to i'm.
suit me?"
I'm not insulting you. I'm asking
you to marry me. I'm a lonely man
and I want you for my wife Don't
answer me; 60 home, talk it over
with your mother, and all ask is fol
you to give me a chance for US to
become acquainted"
When Harriet left the Office she
had promised to think ii over"
Are you going to leave?" asked
Nora, when she appeared with bel
hat and cloak on.
yes Some day you'll know why
II should tell you today you'd never
believe it any way, because I don't