Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-11-10
SYKES
CLERK
By SARAH BAXTER

Jeremiah sykes was clerk IN
small store In the east till he had by
saving accumulated some capital: then
he went out to Colorado to become
merchant on his own account. This
was years ago.
Sykes store was located at a cross
roads Ia a mining district In the far
west, and the proprietor did a thriv-
ing business. supplying the wants Of
miners in circuit of fifteen miles. He
did all his work hipself because he
q month. and that would eat up good
share of his profits
| One day a man came into the store
to buy some goods. and after settling
the bill asked Sykes how he managed
to handle so much business alone
Sykes told him that he should have
helper and why he didn't get one The
man suggested that he could hire
woman cheap enough. and after some
conversation said he knew woman
who would be glad to work for what
ever Sykes thought he could afford to
pay. The merchant told him to send
her along and he would see about 1t.
A few days after that young wo-
man appeared at the store, and Sykes
hired her for a very small salary. He
soon learned that she was as valuable
to him as a man. but he did not raise
her salary. Moreover. he tested her
honesty by leaving cash where she
could take 1t without being discovered.
but she called his attention to it. at
the same time remarking on his care
lessness.
At this time a desperate called Sim
mons was doing good deal Of dam
age In the neighborhood and Sykes
thought 1t would be better for him to
hire man instead Of a woman. since
he might need help If Simmons came
down on him. He mentioned the mat
ter to his clerk and she said that she
could use revolver as well as a man,
aud if ANYTHING happened she would
prove 1t. Sykes was persuaded and
kept her in her position. but he didn't
pay her ii man's wages.
Sizes clerk became SO useful to him
thar he gradually left one duty after
enc. Ter . he. that he had always con
Sue d h, mast attend to himself, and
ina. ~ lie t...a!cd over TO her his book
aeqpAG Notwithstanding the evidence
he ald o. iier honesty. he couldn't
bring himself 10 conAle his cash to
her. When Il robber band dashed into
u bana or sto.e they threatened to
kill whoe,er knew the safe combina-
ton In.ess il wee given up. Sykes
argued tlat II he u.one could open the
safe there would be less likelihood Of
loss than If another possessed it, espe
cially II that other was woman. He
gave this to his clerk as an excuse for
not entrusting her with the combine
tion, ard she admitted that 1t was a
very wise precaution.
Sykes kept turning over his capital
80 steadily that there was never much
cash on hand. He was always owing
money for goods. and AZ soon as he
received remittances to any consider
able amount he paid 1t out to his cred
itos. One day his clerk asked him
why he didn't let his creditors walt
for their money instead Of paying 80
promptly and make interest on it, add
ing that II he should at any time nnd
it impossible to pay cash they would
suspect something was wrong with
him. Sykes was impressed with the
idea and ceased paying so promptly.
After that there were occasional ac
Cancellations Of cash on hand.
One day Sykes was In the back Of
the store figuring over his cash ac-
count His clerk was at the front
busting the shelves 1t was at an
hour when few persons came to the
place to make Purchases, and no one
besides the two were in the store. A
man came in. said something to the
clerk, and the two walked back to
where Sykes was at work. He recog-
nized in the man the person who had
recommended his clerk.
"Mornin'. Mr.. Sykes" he said. How
are you pleased with the young wom-
an l sent your"
Very much" Sykes replied. n
He doesn't believe that women's
services are worth as much as
MANS" said the clerk. II have been
with him long enough for raise. but
don't get it
Sykes looked uncomfortable. There
was something icy cold in the tone in
which she said this.
Don't you find her Trustworthy r
asked the man.
/ Perfectly" said Sykes. wondering
what this was leading to-
HE has never trusted me with the
Eafe combination" said the woman
Hasn't he? Well. reckon he'd bet
ter pay you some back salary" With
that he whipped revolver from his
hip and covered Sykes. There was
weapon in the desk on which Sykes
was figuring. but he dare not attempt
to get II out.
who are you and what do you want