The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-03

haired, dark-eyed. black-bearded man.
with a touch of the Sheeny about his
nose. He had a brisk kind of way
with MIN and spoke sharply. like a
man VINO knew the value Of time.
Mr.. Hall Pycroft, believe" said
Yes. sir" I answered. pushing a
chair towards him.
Lately engaged at Coxon & Wood
houses"
Yes. sir"
And now on the staff of Nav
sons"
"Quite So"
Well" said he, the fact is that I
heard some really extraordinary
stories about your financial ability.
You remember Parker, who used to be
Coxon's manager? He can never say
enough about it."
OF course / was pleased to hear
this. I had always been pretty sharp
In the office, but I a never dream
ed that l was talked about in the
City in this fashion.
You have a good memory sail
he.
pretty fair" 1 answered. modestly.
Have you kept in touch with the
market while you have been out Of
.+ork?' he asked.
Yes. 1 read the stock-exchange
list every morning"
Now that shows real application
he cried. THAT is the way to prosper!
You won't mind my testing you, will
you? Let me see. How are Ayr
eighths."
"a hundred and six and a quarter
to a hundred and five and seven
Fights"
And New Zealand consolidated?
"A hundred and four"
And British Broken HilIs?"
Seven to seven-and-six."
"Wonderful!.' he cried. with. Lis
hands up. This quite fits in WITH
all that I had heard. My boy. my
boy, you are very much too good to
De a clerk at M~awson's!'
This o1tburst rather astonished ne,
as you can think. Well said /.
"other people don't think quite so
Pinner. I had a hard enough fight
to get this berth, and / am very glad to
have it
Pooh, man; you should soar above
it. You are not in your true sphere
Now, I'll tell you how it stands with
me. What / ave to offer is little
enough when measured by your abil-
ity, but when compared with Nav
sons. it's light to dark. Let me see
When do you go to Mawson's?'
ION Monday"
"Ha. ha. I think I would risk a
little sporting futter that you don't go
there at all"
Not go to Mawson's?"
mo, sir. BY that day you will be
the business manager of the Franco
Midland Hardware Company. Limited.
with a hundred and thirty-four
branches in the towns and villages Of
France, not counting one in Brussels
and one in San Reno"
This took my breath away. Il never
heard Of it," said I.
Very likely not It has been kept
very quiet, for the capital was all
privately subscribed. and it's too good
a thing to let the public into. My
brother. Harry Primer, is promoter.
and joins the board after allotment
as managing director. He knew I was
in the swim down here, and asked
young. pushing man with plenty Of
snap about him. Parker spoke of
YOU, and thai brought me here to-
night. We can only offer you a beg
carly FIVE hundred to start with"
Five hundred a year. | shouted.
"Only that at the beginning: but o
are to have an overriding commission
of one per cen on all business done
by your agents, and you may take
my word for il that this will come to
more than your salary"
Blu T know nothing about hard
ware"
Tut. my boy; you know about
figures
Ny head buzzed. and I could hard
ly sit still in my chair. But suddenly
a little chill of doubt came upon
me.
7 must be frank with you" said
T.. only gives me two hun
dred. but Ma wson is safe. Now. really.
j know 50 little about your company
that
All, smart, smart" he cried, in a
Lind of ecstasy Of delight You are
! the very man for us. You are not to
be talked over. and quite right, too.
Now, here's a note for a hundred
hounds, and il you think h a we can
do business you may just slip 1t into
your pocket as an advance upon your
salary
THAT is very handsome" said I.
when should l take over my new