Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1913-11-15
BATTERDEE's TALK
By KENNETH HARRIS.

tcularly clipper and independent OLE
Batterbee has been In his name
lately?"
Yes" replied Ehrmann, the junior
He's acting too gay altogether. It'll
a little demoralizing to the ONCE
force. / guess we'd better FIRE hin
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
eleemosynary institution. Tarkins is
cheap, too if you come to that. Who's
there? Come in"
An elderly man In a threadbare Of
| flee coat came into the room and laid
three large canvas bound books on a
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 for?"
They have some bearing on the
subject ! 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
the 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, 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 we're just speaking of it.
l had mentioned it to Mr. Ehrmann."
All. bdlu MI. DdllCI Dc6. I6o.
Well, during that time l think l may
say that have discharged my office
duties with zeal, diligence and intelli-
gence. You will grant that, l hope?"
Certainly" admitted Mr.. Wallis.
Nevertheless" continued Mr. Bat
terbee, my salary at the present time
is S25 per week. and considering that
l have family to support, and"
See here Mr.. Batterbee," said Mr..
Ehrmann. I'VE can't help your hav-
ing a 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 have brought in
have been carefully examined by you,
Mr.. Ehrmann, at least once a month.
You are an expert accountant, and a
good business man If there had been
any flaw or fault in them, ann sure
you would have detected it, and would !
not have hesitated to apprise me of |
the fact"
You bet wouldn't have hesitated,"
said Mr.. Ehrmann, with a short laugh. |
Then, | assume, that you have had |
40 fault to find?"
Mr.. Batterbee," said the senior |
partner, gently, Il think that we
might cut short a discussion which l |
am afraid can only prove painful. We |
cheerfully 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
,or even less money. Now, l may
rs well tell you that we were talk
ng over this very matter, and pro
its on the business having sensibly
declined in the past few years, we feel
hat not only can we advance no
salaries, 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-
lerstood 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 a share of the profits"
continued Mr.. Batterbee, calmly. In
short, 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 a close and serious