The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-02-17

me.
 I used to have a billet at Coxon & Woodhouses, of Draper's Gardens but they wereLIet in early in the spring through the Venezuelan loan, as no doubt you remember, and came nasty cropper. I had been with me ripping good testimonial when the smash came, but of course we clerks were all turned adrift, the swednty,ssveh smd ty;ss 9ho of us tried hsse Of other chaps on the same lay as myself, and 1t was perfect frost for a neng time. I had been taking three pounds a week at Coxon's, and I had saved about seventy. of them. but soon worked my way through that and out at the other end I was 1alrly at the end of my tether at last and could hardly find the stamps 10 answer the advertisements or the en- Velopes to stick them to. had worn out my boots padding up office stairs, and I seemed just as far from getting billet as ever.
 At last I saw vacancy at Nav son & Wf1liams's, the great stock broking firm in Lombard Street. I dare say E. c. is not much in your line but I can tell you that this is about the richest house in London The advertisement was to be answer ed by letter only. I sent in my tes- tlmonial and application, but without the least hope of getting it. Back ScAAAAS <IAI eiIlo"SI Dy IoluTIl, saying that If l would appear next Monday I might take over my new duties at once, provided that my appearance vas vas satisfactory No, one knows how these things are worked Some people say that the manager just plunges his hand into the heap and takes the first that comes. Anyhow it was my innings that time and don't ever wish to feel better pleased The screw was a pound a week rise, and the duties just about the same as at CoXon's.
 And now I come to the queer part of the business. It was in diggings out Hampstead way, 17 Potter's Ter smoke that very evening after I had been promished the appointment when up came my lan1ldady with a card which had Arthur Primer, FT- nsncial Agent" printed upon it. I had never heard the name before and could not imagine what he want ed with me; but, of course, l asked her to show him up. In he walked a niddle-sized, dark-haired, dark eyed, black-bearded man, with a couch of the Sheeny about his nose. He had a. brisk kind of way with him and spoke sharply, like a man who knew the value of time.
 MT. Hall Pyoroft, I believer" said he,
 'Yes, sir,'' I answered, pushing chair towards him.
 Lately engaged at Coxon & Wood house's?'
 ''Yes, sir.''
 ''Anw now on the staff of Nav sons"
 .tQufte so."
 well" said he. "the fact is that have heard some really eNtraordi- ability. You remember Parker, who used to be Coxon's manager? He can never say enough about it.''
 Of course was pleased to hear n ,,1.r in the office, but had never dreamed that I was talked about in the City in this fashion.
 You have a good memory?'' said
 Pretty, fair," I answered mod estly.
 Have you kept in touch with the market while you have been out of worll?" he asked.
 "Yes I read the stock-exchange i list every morning.
 Now that, shows. real applca- IonI' he cried. That is the way to ing you,, will you? Let me see, How are Ayrshires?
 "A hundred and six and a quarter to a hundred and five and seven eighths." And New zea1ond consolidated e'' "A hundred and four" And British Broken Hills?" Seven to seven-and-siX-' ''Wonderful,' he cried, with his hands up. ''This quite fits in with all that I had heard. My boy. my 1 boy, you are very much too good to be a clerk at Mawsons-" This OutburSt rather aStoniShed me, as you can think. Well" said | I, 'tother people don't think quite so Pinner- I had a hard enough fight to get this berth, and I am very glad | to have it." Pooh, man; you should soar above I Now, I'll tell you how it stands with | me What I have to offer is little | enough when measured by your abil- | ity, but when compared with Nav | sons, it's light to dark Let me see. When do you go to Mawson's?'' | "On Monday"
 '.Ha, ha, | think would risk a little sporting fiutter that you don't | Mot go to Mawson's?" l ftNo, sir. By that day you will be | the business manager of the Franco | Midland Hardware Company, Limit | branches in the towns and villages of France, not counting one in Brus- sels and one in San Remo." | This took my bFeath away. '11 never heard of it,'' said I.
 Every likely not It has been kept very quiet, for the capital was all privately subscribed, and it's toe My brother, Harry Pinner, is pro- moter, and joins the board after al lotment as managing director. He knew I was in the swim down here and asked me to pick up a. good man cheap A young, pushing man with plenty of snap about him. Parker spoke of you, and that brought me here tonight. We can only offer you a beggardly five hundred to start with.''
 Five hundred a. yeart" I shouted "Only that at the beginning; but you are to have an overriding com
 mission of one per cent. on all bus mess done by your agents, and-you may take n1y-word for it that this will come to more than your salary
 "But I know nothing about hard
 ware.''
 ''Tut, my boy; you know about fig
 ures.''
 My head buzzed, and could hardly
 sit still in my chair. But sddenly 2 little chill of doubt came upon me