Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-28
THE PROBLEM OF THE RETURNED
FURNITURE
tCopyright)


MIR. HAZELBROOK appeared de-
1Vl lighted to see me when ] arrived at
Rowcaster one cold and drizzling day.
He met me at the station and drove me
TO his home. where he insisted on my
staying while In Rowcaster
I'm sure, Mr.. Flint, YOU will be
more than interested in the improve
ments we've made in the delivery de-
partment. Do YOU remember the day
| was in New York when Mr.. Duke told
me what was wrong about my busi-
ness? Remember what he said l ought
TO do in my delivery department-but
no. I do remember. you were called out
just as he began to outline his plans"
| remembered the incident quite WELL
Tor it was the day that Miss Carstairs
telephone9 us, and which was the be-
ginning Of that fascinating problem CT
the empty mansion-but more of that
later.
"The remarkable thing is he went
on, that within two weeks of getting
back here, the returned goods were less
than half any previous space of time
during the last three years. And now !!
Why We are astonished when anything
comes back
"Of course, the men sell the furniture
better than ever before-no emphasizing
trifing things any more. But the real
trouble was in the delivery end of the
business, as Mr.. Duke said. That man Is
certainly a wonder, Mr.. Flint! I GER
tainly did a good days work vixen I
got him to help me-
BY this time We were at his house,
and soon | was sitting before an open
wood fire, having the time of my young
life. couldn't help feeling tickled
with myself when l found my work
was considered as part of Dukes and
was looked upon as minor wonder.
OF course, Bruno Duke Is the whole
affair but-oh, well, I'm human!
Hazelbrook wanted to know whether
wished to be rehired or whether
would 60 as / was.
"I'n go just as myself this time" Mr.
Hazelbrook," I informed him. So next
day he marched me through Mr.. EN-
mett's boxlike Office and introduced ME
to him and to smart young fellow
named Abbey, whom Bruno Duke has
secured from some university to act as
assistant to Emmett, SO far as every one
around the place was concerned, but
actually to be in charge Of the shipping
room.
He had taken hold splendidly, for
Emmett had not realized that Abbey was
actually managing the department, sc
tactfully had he conducted himself.
Emmett looked at me hard severa
times while Hazelbrook was speaking
Suddenly he exclaimed:
you worked here a few weeks ago
didn't you?"
He was told the whole story. ex
pected to see him become angry. In
stead. he said
81 always could pick winners"
They were busy checking up team
sters' delivery reports. These were SKI
cards, on one side of which was 6
list of the furniture to be delivered
and on the other side were comments
of the teamsters. The face of the care
was checked o. X, and initiated by tn,
customer On the other side were an!
comments about the furniture made b,
the customer.
One card read; THE lady said sh
thought the walnut chair was a lighte
color than 1t was. She kept it,"
Another card read: Lady told he
little boy she'd buy him a writing desl
for his birthday If he was good.
asked her when II was and she salt
next November"
We insist" Emmett explained
somewhat pompously, ION every one re
porting all comments made by custom
ers, for II helps us to give better serv
ice.
Take this card, for instance" h
pursed his lips as he read the one abou