The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1916-06-30
SYKES
CLERK
BY SARAH BAXTER

he went out to Colorado to become a
merchant on his own account. This
was years ago.
Sykes store was located at cross
roads In a mining district in the far
west, and the proprietor did a thr1v-
ing business, supplying the wants Of
miners in a circuit of fifteen miles. He
did all his work himself because he
couldn't hire a clerk for less than 800
a 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 a
helper and why he didn't get one. The
man suggested that he could hire a
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 a young wo-
man appeared at the store, and Sykes
hired her for 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 remarkfng on Ids care
lessness.
At this time 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 a man instead of 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 a revolver as well as a man,
and if anything happened she would
prove 1t. Sykes was persuaded and
kept her in her position, but he didn't
pay her mans wages.
Sykes clerk became so useful to him
that he gradually left one duty after
another to her that he had always con-
sidered he must attend to himself, and
finally he turned over to her his book
keeping. Notwithstanding the evidence
he had of her honesty, he couldn't
bring himself to confide his cash to
her. When a robber band dashed into
a bank or a store they threatened to
kill whoever knew the safe combina-
ton unless 1t were given up. Sykes
argued that If he alone could open the
safe there would be less likelihood Of
loss than If another possessed 1t, espe-
cially If that other was woman. He
gave this to his clerk as an excuse for
not entrusting her with the combina-
ton, and she admitted that 1t was a
very wise precauton.
Sykes kept turning over his capital
so steadily that there was never much
cash on hand. He was always owing
money for goods, and as soon as he
received remittances to any consider
able amount he paid it out to his cred
itors. One day his clerk asked him
why he didn't let his creditors wait
for their money instead of paying so
promptly and make interest on 1t, add
ing that If he should at any time find
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-
cumulations 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
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 hts clerk.
"Mornin', Mr. Sykes" he said. How
are you pleased with the young WON
an l sent your"
Every much" Sykes replied.
"He doesn't believe that women's
services are worth as much as a
MANS" said the clerk. 81 have been
with him long enough for a raise, but
Q0n get II.
Sykes looked uncomfortable. There
was something Icy cold in the tone in
which she said this.
Don't you find her trustworthy p
asked the man.
Perfectly" said Sykes, wondering
what this was leading to.
"He has never trusted me with the
safe combination" said the woman.
Hasn't he? Well, I reckon he'd bet
ter pay you some back salary" With
that he whipped a revolver from his
hip and covered Sykes. There was a
weapon in the desk on which Sykes
was figuring, but he dare not attempt
to get it out.
who are you and what do you want
herer' he asked the man.
I'm Andy Simmons, and that lady
is my wife. don't think you've treat
ed her fair in not giving her raise
since she's been here, and I've called
In to see about it. Supposin' you open
the safer"
The game that had been played on
Sykes flashed upon him at once. He
opened the safe while the man kept
him covered and, after the woman had