The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-12-09
BATTERBEE'S TALK
BY KENNETH HARRIS

Ac 6SulOI partner OF Wallis q HQP~
mann said to the junior member Of
the firm: Have you noticed how par
ticularly clipper and Independent old
Batterbee has been in his manner
lately?"
Yes" replied Ehrmann, the junior.
He's acting too gay altogether It's
little demoralizing to the office
force. l guess we'd better fire him
and give Tarkins his job"
He's been with US close on to 20
years, Ehrmann," said the senior,
irresolutely, and he's faithful and
honest and-cheap. The old man
might find it hard to get another job
at his age"
That's his lookout" said the dap
per-like Ehrmann, blowing a speck of
dust from his shirt cuff. This isn't an
eieemosynary institution Tarkins is
cheap, too If you come to that Who's
there? Come in"
An elderly man in a threadbare Of
nee coat came into the room and laid
three large canvas-bound books on
side table. Then he approached the
desk and in a mild voice said: I'D
like to have a few minutes talk with
you gentlemen, If you are not too
busily engaged"
We're busy now, Mr. Batterbee,"
said the junior partner, snappishly
Some other time. What are you
bringing that cash book and those
ledgers forr'
They have some bearing on the
subject l wished to discuss with you.
sir" said Mr. Batterbee, respectfully,
but with a curious steadfast look. IF
you will excuse me, / think perhaps
It would be well to take the matter
up at once. It's rather important"
We'll. go ahead, Batterbee," said
tie senior partner, tolerantly. Let
him say what he has to say now, Ehr-
mann"
Thank you, sir" said the subordi-
nate. In the first place, I wish to
call your attention to the fact that L
have been in the employ OF the house
for 20 years.
We know that" said Mr.. Wallis.
In fact, we were just speaking of it.
had mentioned 1t to Mr. Ehrmann
All" said Mr.. Batterbee. "YesI
Well. during that time l think l may
say that / have discharged my office
duties with zeal. diligence and intelli-
gencs. You will grant that, l HOPPER
Certainly" admitted Mr.. Wallis.
Nevertheless" continued Mr.. Bat
terbee, my salary at the present time
is SIS per week, and considering that
l have a family to support, and"
See here. Mr.. Batterbee,' said Mr..
Ehrmann. I'VE can't help your hav-
ing family, you know. We're not
to blame for that. And this isn't an
eleemosynary insti-"
Pardon me-" interrupted Mr.. Bat
terbee, with a dignified wave of the
hand. Il am quite aware OF the fact,
but merit, perhaps"
Merit cuts no ice with the market
price and the law of supply and de-
mand."
These books that l have brought in
have been carefully examined by you,
Mr.. Ehrmann. at least once a month.
You are an expert accountant, and
good business man. If there had been
any flaw or fault In them, l am sure
you would have detected it, and would
not have hssitated to apprise me Of
the fact"
You bet wouldn't have hesitated,"
said Mr. Ehrmann, with a short laugh.
Then, l assume, that you have had
no fault to f1ndT'
Mr.. Batterbee." said the senior
partner. gently, 81 think that we
might cut short discussion which
am afraid can only prove painful We
admit the value of your
services, but, while your salary has
not been large, It has been as much
even more than we could afford to
pay, looking at it from a business
point. We can get the same services
performed for us by a younger man
for even less money. Now, | may
as well tell you that we were talk
ing over this very matter, and pro-
fits on the business having sensibly
declined in the past few years, we feel
that not only can we advance no
but, l regret to say, we must
dispense with your services at the
close of the current week"
That's the size of it, Batterbee,"
said Ehrman, briskly. Business Is
business"
Just so.' said Mr.. Batterbee. Now,
let's get down to business. To be-
gin with, you gentlemen have misun-
me. am not asking you for
any increase of salary. l had not the
remotest intention of doing SO.
want to work for the firm without any
salary at all"
What" exclaimed Ehrmann and
Wallis.
But for share of the profits"
continued Mr.. Batterbee, calmly. IN
short. l propose that you take me into
the firm as an equal partner"
Ehrmann broke into loud laughter,
but the senior partner regarded the
elderly clerk with close and serious
attention
IF you don't mind, l will sit down"
said Mr. Batterbee, drawing up a
chair. Standing very long fatigues
me. l find Mr.. Ehrmann, If you feel
that you are sufficiently recovered.
will go ON. OF course, l must show
you how you would be justified in
taking the step l propose. Possibly
this might interest you to start with"
He drew a brown leather covered
bank book from his pocket, and
handed 1t to Mr.. Wallis. You will
observe" he continued, that the &C
count was opened with the bank in
January, 1890. If I remember rightly,
it was one month after my third I'M
successful application for an increase
of salary. You will observe that the
deposits have been made at regular
interval ever since, but in increasing
amounts; also that no charges have
been drawn against these sums,
placed to my credit The interest
has been compounded semlannually"
and altogether the sum total is now
nearly $4,000"
Mr. Wallis gasped and handed the
bank book to Mr.. Ehrmann, who
turned pale as he looked over the
columns of figures.