davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Don't Be Friendly with Him.

The boss who assumes the friendly atti-
tuce toward an office boy fares even more
hardly One kind hearted friend. holding TO
the firm opinion that one man Is as good a
another as long as he keeps honest and clean
and that all boys should be treated on tha:
piane secured a new office boy. The first day
the boy was in the Office my friend extended
his nd TO him and said.
Willie hope this position IS the starting
point OF a brilliant career"
Nv friends name is Moderwell Imagine
his feelings a week later when he discovered
that the office boy was referring to him
" Maudie," and when reproved kindly the
boy remarked:
''Aw, cheese dat stuff. Youse all calls ne
Vile an dishes out dat ol6 bull con dope
bout startin' al the bottom. Hand me me
pay an save dat sissy talk fer some easy
mutt
To make boy respect you work hard, use
a little more tact and discretion in talking 10
him or in his presence than you would to your
own son or a customer. never grant any favor
he may ask but seek opportunities TO grant
others that Will please him better.
After a week or two OF puzzung and worry
ing and seeking your weakness he will be In
condition Of respectful awe OF you-because
he cannot understand you. As soon as he
feels that he really knows YOU or gets wise
to your angles" a.. respect ceases.
Keep him in doubt. Let him guess, and
after few weeks you may even ask him 10
work
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Only Nerves Kept Them Going.

And with this the Office lost its head It
seemed that nothing I did could straighten
IT out StiIl working as hard as ever. could
see that every man and woman there had
been laboring for months wholly on nerves.
There had been no real effort In it-Simply
a sort of second nature affair where the
mind does not govern. merely directs. And
One day I called the Office force together
Girls and boys" I said. " have come
here to admit that have been a fool.
depended on your enthusiasm to carry
things through-enough work for twice your
number You did the best you could, and
not one Of the mistakes that have been made
has been your fault. They have all been
mine. This business Of trying TO work a
force twenty-four hours Of the day is all
wrong and I have found II out In the fu-
ture you are going TO find me the same sort
Of man have always been. still as willing
TO listen TO your little stories and to share
anything in the world with you-but there
Is TO be difference in this office Tomorrow
the force will be doubled and there Will he
raises for every one here"
And l did II. ! cannot say that ! was
slave driver in the old days for | did a =
much work as any Of them. and there never
was a harsh word. But didn't do right by
my force. and learned my lesson You
can't save money by spending the nerves Of
men and women. They're too falIible
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
And You Gain 4 LoYa1 Friend.

This makes a deep impression, because the
boy is surprised and delighted But, more
important than that, you have raised your
self high in his estimation by revealing your
knowledge Of players and teams. II You see
him beating UP the other office boy in the
auteroom the next day you viii know it is
because the other boy called you % Old Pickle
Face" and he is defending you. You have
Won n strong ally.
one OF the sUrest ways of gaining the re-
spect OF the boy is never TO boast of what
You have done, never to exaggerate your
claims even TO a customer, never 10 four
flush - or brag OF your successes. Speak the
truth clearly. plainly. The boy will hear.
For instance. one Of the most honest,
straightforward. modest men in the city is
known as " Old Blow Hard " to his office
boy because one day in a moment OF Jubila-
tion over closing a big deal he exaggerated
the importance OF his own part In its con-
summation.
The boy heard Within a week he had
found other flaws in the arnOr Of the boss
and was looking for more. In two weeks he
Chcwed tobacco in the Office. called the ste
nographer Gerties. and grudSingiy took his
feet of the boss desk when he arrived and
said Hello. Jake IN greeting. That one
slip had ruined a model office boy and killed
all respect for the boss
Many employers attempt to bulldoze boys
and rule them by overaweing them. This
system IS rulnoUs. True. it keeps the hoys
from calling YOU by your first name but
they have TO respect. They whistle Just
frequently enough to jangle your nerves
without giving a chance for a reprimand.
They smoke in the halls and put flies in the
Ink besides calling you Crouch " or Ole
Stiff" among themselves.
Moreover. they voice a feeling that soon
spreads to the other employees and establish
es a reputation for the boss that sooner or
later is certain to reach the customers.
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

no man is a success in business; that
nj is, a success in the larger meaning
" OF the word, unless he can command
the respect of the office boy. The
problem OF how 10 make the Office boy
respect you IS the first step toward great
things in a business way.
The Office boy is the closest observer, the
keenest and most piti!ess critic. and the
quickest to detect a fault or weakness on tho
part Of the head o. the establishment. Of any
office employe. or any customer.
The employer who is held in soorn or in
terms Of half contemptuous friendship by
the office boy may succeed in concealing
his faults from part OF the others with whom
he Is thrown intolcontact. but not all.
The secret Of success, then. lies in COM
mandinG and holding the respect Of the Office
boy. Any man " no can do that has the world
al his Command
Since the tine office boys were invented
office managers have sought ways in which
10 impress them with their Importance. The
great trouble is that the ordinary manager
oc head Of an Office takes the wrong view OF
the office boy. He usually considers the Of
fee boy as one Of the workers, or a kind
Of necessary nuisance. Some even go so
far as 10 expec; the office boy to work.
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
): =
List of Desirable Loca tions.

We get many applications from young men
who have been working in hardware stores
and In other businesses in all parts OF the
country. Sometimes a young man comes to
us from the farm, with a desire 20 open
retail hardware store. asking II We know
where there is good stock for sale. or where
there Is location that would support ar
enterprising retailer.
We reply that we do. II is our business to
know such things. We keep an up to date
list Of desirable locations for new hardware
stocks and OF established stocks for sale. mad
up largely from frequent reports by our sales
men from their respective routes. and cover
Ing practically every state-pertinent details
are given. such as population. class Of trade,
competition, railroad facilities. and approx
mate investment required.
Then again we hear from the young man
VINO applies perhaps from some liitle town in
Michigan He tells US he has worked IN
store in this town. has been thrifty, and save.
a little money. Perhaps his wife is in poo
health. and a change OF climate is imperative
For various reasons he wishes to make
change. He expresses preference for Ne
braska. Iowa, or some far western state.
What are the prospects OF getting in touch
with a desirable location?
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

me to handle" says the coal man. and the
result has been that have los; a good many
OF them. They haven't justified the use Of
the big auto trucks. and so I~have only taken
care OF them as best could when there was
nothing on larger scale 10 90
In looking over his books and studying
his trade this merchant has learned tha:
there are great possibilities for the coal
man who will make a specially OF handling
the " little business"
People who buy in this manner keep
their orders back until they are badly in
need OF fuel" he said. Then they order
800 or 400 pounds. the case may be, and
want it delivered in hurry. II you haven't
a small wagon on hand just at that time they
will invariably go 10 some other yard for
their coal. l believe that under my new
arrangement every patron will be satisfied
with his service"
All of which points to the moral that many
small orders quickly disposed of will equa.
one larger order which requires the atten-
tion Of two men for at least half day.
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

\ AM an employer who has learned his
Lesson. had my IDEAS and have been
forced TO change them. have found out
/ that men and women. after all, are not
machines.
When l started in business a few years ago
Il was with the determination THAI while
would work my help to the limit, would not
drive any OF them. l had heard men speak Of
bosses for whom they would do anything on
earth and determined to be one Of that kind
Of employers.
I started out by taking every one in the
office into my confidence. telling them all
about the business. the hopes had for Il.
and letting them know that they were as
important 10 il as any one-even more 30
than myself I saw that had instilled al
ready into their hearts by this little talk an
enthusiasm that would aid me later on
And I worked up this enthusiasm. / went
out among my Office force and into the plant.
talked business. business business, 10 these
men and women until got their minds TO
running all in the same channel. thinking
OF nothing save their work and my interests
day and night.
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

How to Open a Hardware Store;
Energy Is the Main Essential.
By E. A. BURKE.

General Sales Manager Hibbard.
~HE opportunities afforded young
man-for making a success in the retail
hardware business are as favorable
today as ever they were, II not more
so. The growth of the hardware busi-
ness must needs keep pace with the increas-
ing population. and especially in our western
country there are regularly developing most
excellent openings for new hardware stores
as we'll as in the more settled sections where
more stocks are continually being estab-
Lshed
The retail hardware business, like any
other field of endeavor. has its fascinati1ns
and its force impelliEg exactions. To any
one Of sound health and good judgment II is
an exceedingly profitable pursuit in which
styles cannot make impressive inroads and
create disastrous fluctuations. In other
words. spade is a spade and an ak is an AZ.
the price largely determining the grade.
No young man need hesitate in entering
the retail hardware business even though
without previous experience. providing he Is
willing 10 listen TO the advice of those who
have studied the business from every con-
ceivable angle.
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Applicant Given Data.

We send him our lists and have one OF our
travelling representatives call on him for the
purpose Of giving him such general informa-
tlon as he may desire. We also suggest that
he write US on any particular point that NAV
be Of Interest TO him, and We will give him
al the data We possibly can.
Should he place the matter entirely in our
hands We write to the salesman in the par
ticular section of the country in which the
prospective merchant wishes to locate. and
ask him what he thinks about the proposition.
II favorable, ne replies as a rule. something
10 this effect:
II have a good place out here. The man
who owns Il will sell for various good reasons
I would like to have this prospect come Out
and meet me and let me show him this Propo-
s!tor."
We tell the applicant what We know Of tire
situation. Of our satisfactory dealing with
tho merchant who wishes to sell out, that W
believe the opportunity an excellent one. and
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Windy Day Blew Him an Idea.
By COURTNEY RYLEY.

promise to buy a II tn q odd newspapers which
might be able 10 furnish him. The next day
began a skir7nish for money for the carry
ing out Of my plans needed a hundred
6oIlsrs with " hich to buy horse and wagon.
This borrowed in lots OF from five to fifty
ard on time from thirty days TO three
months. Then / started work From house
to house ! went collecting the old news
pa pers which had been piled in obscure cor
ncrs, in attiCs. or in collars. and hurrying
them to the paper mill. I started out early
in the morning and worked until far after
dusk
Within a month was able to pay back part
Of the money I had borrowed Then | went
to other places and borrowed money that I
might buy another horse and have enough
left over to trade in my little wagon and pay
the difference for larger one. With IN
creased facilities making lost time on haulfng
smaller I naturally was able TO make more
money. Demand for the papers was great.
and the supply even exceeded the demand. All
that had been needed was means of get
ting the papers to the mill where they could
be rebOlled and mixed with the crushed pulp
and put forth as clean white paper. This was
the need / filled.
As I said in the beginning. it was five years
ago when / started Strange as it may seem
in that time 1 have had no competitors and
I therefore occupy a field which is grow
ing larger and more productive to me. At the
end Of the first year had gained a position
where I could afford to hire another and
own a second team and wagon. Now at the
end of five years, instead Of the teams once
owned have two motor trucks and my regu-
lar customers all over the city from whom
I collect papers. The business is pay ing me
a profit of nearly 500 a month
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
A Properly Balanced Stock.

We never permit a new merchant to bite
off more than he can chew. L We are going
to place him in a community where it re-
quires an investment OF 500 or 5000. We
see that his stock and assortment is properly
balanced. and leaving him necessary work
ing capital II the amount involved is less
than that. We recommend a location where
his capital would Le more consistent for a
smaller representative stock. complete
enough for MS needs.
Average hardware stocks run a great deal
the same. great many times you IND
hardware stores invoicing $1,000 10 $4,000
or more. These merchants have started out
on a small scale. but have worked up 10 4
business OF that size by Increasing their stock
as they Increased their capital The great
value of a hardware stock IS that the goods
seldom depreciate, nor do the STYLES change.
What is good one year is good another year
with the possible exception OF new inven-
tions.
A wholesale house that recommends e
concern to a new merchant knows what it is
recommending. Our house sees to ii that
he does not buy lot OF ragged eCds, paying
invoice prices for them. II necessary, and
50 requested. we send one Of our experts To
the locality. with instructions to take full
inventory OF the stock. In this way We know
the work has been done conscientiousiy and
thoroughly, and that We are protecting the
interests OF the prospective owrer OF ths
business. as we'll as our own.
knowing the business as I DO. I haven't
the slightest compunction in advising any
energetic Young man OF ambition TO eut-r
the retail hardware business. Hs'n find il
profitable interesting. worth while. and a
wei kept hardware store is a readily con-
ysrtible asset
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
The Office Boy a Stern Critic;
How a Boss Can Live Up to Him.
By HUGH S. FULLERTON.

ing events and keep we'll up on what attrac-
tions are offered at the vaudeville houses
and burlesque places.
Refuse sternly, but without heat Simply
say, No-!mposSble" This will give him
a sense OF his own importance in the estab-
Iishmeat Do not forget. however, that you
have refused Wait a few days until some
better show is in town or until there is a
better ball game. Then about lunch time
call Boy a little more soernIs than usual
When he responds. which probably will be
after the third or fourth sunzmons> look at
him inquiringly and bit reproachfully.
Then remark:
Boy, a few days since refused to let
you off to 80 to the ball game. Il wes a rot
ten game anyhow. and needed you. Now
the Giants are IN town. Mathewson is 10
pitch. and here are two seats for this after
noon. Take one Of your friends. BY the
way. here's a quarter for car fare and pea
NUS
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

- I'VE years ago. through circumstances
- over which l had no control I was
forced to sweep the streets to gain a
nlea ger livelihood. Not that I was
suited for that business but because
one reverse after another had sent me from
position TO position until at last was in the
IowIy place occupied. But did not give up
! knew things would be right after a while
and il was my duty to myself and my family
10 make that time come just as soon as pos
sible. And therefore as I worked my mind
" as struggling for the idea that would take
me W in the world again. It was bound to
come sooner or later, and at last II arrived
First Of all had come the announcement
that one OF the big newspa pers OF the city in
tended to start its OWL paper mill. AS soon
as the business wes ready for the hiring Of
men I was on hand with my application, but
there We're too many before me lost out.
At least I thought I had lost out, but the
truth Of the matter was 1t was only the be-
ginning Of something even greater in COM
psrisOn to my station at that time.
I went back TO mywoTk a little disconsolate
Il was windy day and papers were blow
ing about the streets everywhere They
nettled me. Then they set me thinking. Paper
can be made from paper. The mill which was
20 be started would be glad TO buy ma teriaI
which might be combined with wood pulp
TO make a cheap product. The idea stayed
with me all day. l knew the human habit
Of allowing papers TO collect in the house
hold against the bonfire day. knew also
that these papers could be bought for almost
nothing.
That night I went to see the superintendent
OF the mill. which was 10 start operations
within two weeks, and obatned from him
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Seek Job as if You Wanted 1t.
6 nj

IN 4 5: =; ; ::
back of the barn for few days
and learn to speak distinctly" Thus spake
the man in charge of the employment de-
partment of one of the big State street stores,
and the reason for his outburst against lack
Of care in enunciation was disappearing
down the corridor.
There goes a case in point right now"
continued the employment manager. Look
how he shuffies along-no get-up TO him a
all-and that is exactly the way he ap-
preached me for job. He's just as siipshod
in his speech as in his actions.
80 What is your name? asked him when
he asked me for place.
49, John Mer-nmm.
- Ever do this sort Of work before
80 Yessir. Worked. for and I'll be
hanged II I could understand where he
worked or anything else about him until
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Overwork Took the Ginger Out;
Lesson for Well Meaning Boss.
Bv COURTNEY R. COOPER.

work. but they always seemed glad to see
me. Sometimes l wondered at my power
over these people. knew that had gained
a certain amount Of power. and that It was
this hypnotic something I had developed
that was saving me hundreds Of dollars a
week
Then came the lesson.
5000 contract disappeared and was lost.
Mistakes in the books began to show The
little girl became III and was away from
work six weeks. OF course I paid her sal
AIRY and hired another girl in her place until
she could come back. Several letters were
sent to the wrong addresses, ali in a month,
and orders lost thereby. II seemed that the
whole Office had broken down all at once,
and in a month had lost by various means
nearly $1,000 That included mistakes in
books. shipments upon which money had TO
be refunded. a mistake which caused law
suit, and a hundred other items which all
went into the debit column.
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Notes from the World of Science.

French federation Of cotton spInners has
established laboratory for determining the
percentage of moisture or any abnormal dry
ness in cotton, staple that is too dry being
regarded as defective.
An expert Of the department OF agriculture
has been sent to the extreme northwestern
corner Of China, never before visited by scien-
lists. to seek new plants that might be vaIua-
BILE in the United States
German society of electricians has offered
costly gold medal to be awarded annually
for the best device or process produced in any
country safeguarding life and limb or pro-
noting health in the electrical Industry
A French physician has successfully com
batted locusts in Argentina by inocuIating
a number OF the insects with a parasitic dis
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
Now Looks Out for Small Orders;
Dealer Finds 1t Worth While.
By IRWIN ELLIS
By IRWIN ELLIS.

~ ONT neglect the little customers
for those who buy in larger quantities
is a don't" that one of Chica gos
- soal men will observe from this
time on.
While this coal merchant has aimed ever
since he has been in business to give as good
service as he could to the people who bought
fuel in small lots. still their orders were
always necessarily subordlnated to the ones
calling for the delivery Of many tons.
Five years in the business has taught ME
that it doesn't pay" he said. This year
have established an entirely different sys-
tenn. and in the spring l expect to record a
much greater profit than my business has
heretofore yielded"
Automobile delivery has already become
a part OF his concern, but this winter he will
have motorcycles, with basket attachment.
that will carry the bushels and the pounds
OF coal ordered by the people unable to buy
by the ton.
These small orders have been hard for
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
True Function Is to Criticise.

The true function OF the office boy is not TO
run er-ands or to guard the door or to clean
desks. 1t is to show his alleged superiors
their places and to prevent any Of the alleged
superiors from loafng, gossplng, drinking.
neglecting work. or from getting away with
" bluff "
Were II not for the keen eyes and the
keener criticism of superiors by office boys.
and their uncanny knack Of discovering just
how and when every one in the office shIrkE
o. tries to shirk, millions OF dollars yea-
would be wasted by employees Of offices, by
managers. and even by owners.
In order that an employer shall have and
hold the respect OF the Office boy he must live
up I, the office boys ideal of what the boss
should be. There is not the slightest wisdom
in attempting to deceive the office boy or TO
overave him by assumed dignity. The only
system is to be what he thinks a boss should
be- and any one who lives up to that ideal
Will succeed.
The system by which the respect of the
Office boy may be kept is a follows: Employ
the boy. 1t makes no difference what kind
OF a boy it IS, for office boys are Of a species
unique. Get one with TWO arms and two
legs II possible, and a full quota OF eyes and
cars.
The only rule you should lay down is thai
h. shall not whistle. Insist upon that. EN-
perience has proved that a hoy disobeys
rules merely because he is told to obey them.
Ru; i IS necessary, to impress your impor-
:ance upon him. that YOU make one rule and
,nsis: sternIy upon obedience TO that rule
He Will whistle for few days merely to
show his Independence, but upon being re-
huked sharply, not violently. FIVE to eight
times, ne will do his whistIing before and
after you leave the Office.
The Washington herald., 1913-02-02

ease and liberating them to infect others
Of their kind
According to q San Francisco surgeon ap-
pendlcitis can be cured without an opera
tion by manipulating certain vertabrse. which
has the effect of Strengthening a loop in the
large intentine.
The Swiss government has decided in ia vor
of the single phase system for the electrffca-
ton of its railroads in preference to the third
rail. as costing 10 per cent less to make the
change.
By agreement among several leading ma
tions detailed map OF the world on a uni
form scan Of one inch TO about sixteen miles
is being made.
Eggs laid by a New Zealand lizard REQUIRE
fourteen months to hatch.