Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-10-30
John Smith and
His Boss
By WALTER o. MARQUES

Il common name. Then, he was a
rather common man. A very ordinary
sort Of man.
His name was John Smith. By Oc-
cupation he was bOOkkeeper; In char
acter he was a negative quantity. He
was not liked in the offices Of the H.
F. Stone Manufacturing company,
where fellow workers long ago had
ceased asking him for five dollar loans.
"Tightwad Smith" was his nickname.
And 1t fit.
Smiths disposition was not unknown
to II. F. Stone, head of the big manu-
featuring concern. Stone prided him
self upon his knowledge Of his men,
their traits and habits.
Stone was popular with his men
popular with all save one-John Smith
Smith believed himself entitled to a
better position; he believed himself
deserving of better pay. and he
blamed his employer for his failure to
rise In proportion to his self evalua-
ton.
Stone often preached to his work
men and his text was thrift.
The thought took root here and there,
but in Smith 1t fell upon barren soil.
There's nothing I'd discharge man
for quicker" the manufacturer de-
clared one afternoon while discoursing
at large upon his pet topic, than i'm
providence. A man who can't be
trusted to handle his own money prop
erly can't be trusted with RESPONSE
bility."
The words incensed Smith, and he
left his work that day in anger. He
was still grumbllng as he floundered
homeward, in a temper Iii designed to
meet the request his wife had deter
mined to make.
Mrs. Smiths mind was by no means
enslaved by her husbands. She did
as she pleased, and In many respects,
Smith did as she pleased.
"John," she said, "Pm going to take
a basket of food to that poor Carter
family tonight. You're going with me
to carry It."
Mrs. Smiths persistence in spending
his hard-earned money to buy food for
lmprovident families on the river front
CALLED him.
John" said Mrs. Smith again
"You are going with mel" And he did,
un5raclously.
81 don't know how we can thank
YOU" declared Mrs. Carter with tear
frightened eyes, while Mrs. Smith
smiled gently.
"Well," growled Smith, Tets be get
tin home"
AS they turned to go, the door
opened to admit II. f. Stone and his
wife. The man carried large basket
over his arm, and set 1t down and
beamed upon the hungry Carriers
Smith tried to shrink out of sight in
his corner Mortified that his employer
should have caught him In this place
OF all places, under these conditions
| of all conditions.
Stone looked from one to another OF
the blg-eyed children. and his gaze
wandered across and caught Smith
His smile faded. Smith interpreted his
expression as one of black disapprOval
Stones glance took in the basket on
the table, from which had come the
| cabbage, cold meat and loayes OF
| breed He looked back again at Smith
ana frOwned.
Smith, covering little, thought OF
the many, many times his employer
had preached economy. He tremblet
bit and his shoulders sagged.
Stone coughed twice. "Mr. Smith,
he said, 'let me see you a moment"
The embarrassed man followed tht
other from the room.
Stone coughed again. "Mr. Smith
come into my office as soon as you
come down in the morning."
Smith entered the office Of the head
Of the firm. He looked at his EN-
! ployer from under lowered brows. ant
he was tensely on his guard.
Stone looked up as he entered ant
nodded. "Sit down, Smith," he invited
brusQuely, and went on with his worI
for a moment. Then he turned.
smith," he said, 81 was much sur
prised to see you down there las
| nlSnt. Slnltn Rulpeu.
my wife" he began his defense.
very surprised" repeated Stone.
II told my wife"
"Your salary is rather small" muset
Stone. Rather small. Yet you spen,
part Of it"
II didn't want"
yet you spend part of 1t to help on
poor people"
MY wife" Smith tried again.
"Oh | know, ! know" interrupte,
the rich man. II know. | been look
ing around, Smith. Since I saw yor
down there ! been looking around
His voice sounded stern and Smitl
was Quaking.
1T wasn't me-" he began. Ston
checked his words with raised hand
smith," he said ~ don't know VIII
I've never noticed you before. | fin,
that never knew you at all Smith,
said Stone, "rve been combing thi
city for man whom ] could trust L
take charge of my plans to improv
conditions among the families Of m,
employees. And now ! find the man
want right in my own officer
Smiths eyes few open wide. "Yo,
don't mean met" he gasped
Stone nodded.
THE salary" he went on, will b
five times what you've been getting
A man who can do what you've beel
doing among the poor people and OF
your salary certainly will ha yvortl