The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-05-22
His Letter of
Recommendation


ing eompany's building, that structure
of steel and stone looked like noun.
tain. But perhaps Waldron's impress
sion was colored a little by the fact
that he was about to cross the street,
ascend to the glacial top of the monu-
tain and strike old Archibald p. Dav-
export.
When finally, in burst Of resolu-
ton, Waldron struck across the street.
braved an impudent Office boy and was
presently admitted to the sanctum of
the great Archibald p. Davenport
himself, he found that crusty old POI
tentate in an unusually bilious humor.
well, young man." he said, what
do you want?'
"Why-ah-you see, Mr. Davenport,
stammered Waldron, II have come to
you as an old friend of my fathers,
Horace Waldron. L"
81 knew Horace Waldron-slightly
thirty years ago." interrupted Dav-
export, ''but / don't know you"
II have Job open to me-" answered
the young man, "if 1 can offer salts
factory reference. So have come to
you, thinking that as my fathers old
friend you might be kind enough to
give me a recommendation"
$50 you want a letter Of recon-
mendation, do your" he inquired, after
a moment in a voice almost too smooth.
''Well-all right" He pressed but
ton and stenographer came In. you
sit down outside for a minute, young
man, and I'll send 1t out to you. Good
day."
1t was with feeling of consider
able confidence that, half an hour
later, Waldron presented himself and
his letter of recommendation to Am
brose Hare, head of the Hare Button
Manufacturing company.
"Ah," he said, "from Archibald P.
Davenport. He adjusted his glasses.
He read. His lips pursed, his brow
wrinkled, his head began to shake.
"Ah have you read this let
ter, young mann"
"Why, no. 1t was given me in a
sealed envelope"
"Ah, yes, yes. OF course. Well,
you see, it's hardly just the thing.
No, not quite the thing. All /.
really, you know, I'm afraid that 1t
doesn't recommend you highly for the
position here"
Astonished and chagrined, Waldron
stood up. May see the letter.
he asked quietly.
"Ah =. no objection to that,
I'm sure. Here 1t is"
Waldron turned and walked out, and
as he went he read the letter of rec
ommendation that was to have OBJ
tained him the job.
ITO whom it may concern" 1t be-
gan. ''The bearer of this letter, Mr..
Waldron, though a total stranger to
me, has presumed upon a slight ac-
quaintance that had with his father
thirty years ago to ask me for a let
ter of recommendation. ] have never
seen him before today, but l can con-
scientiously say that he ought to make
good in any position requiring self
confidence that / am tempted TO call
gall. Sincerely, Archibald P. Daven-
port"
Stunned and crushed, the young man
wandered blindly through the streets
until he came to little park. He
found vacant place on a bench and
sat down feeling tired and weak. Then,
moment later, he laughed.
swell, old boy" he muttered to him
self, shat was good joke, wasn't it?
Yes, great"
Amid the shifting crowd of people
that passed before his eyes appeared a
jaunty schoolgirl with a bundle of
books under her arm. The young
mans eyes fell upon her mechanically.
At the same time his fingers, thrust
into his coat pocket, touched the writ
ten specimen of Archibald P. Daven-
ports humor.
Passers-by were startled to see the
sober-looking youth on the bench sud-
denly burst into laughter, leap up and
start briskly away at almost run.
He headed directly for the Davenport
Publishing company's building and
when he reached that forbidding look
ing structure he passed inside as
though he owned 1t. He inquired his
way with easy confidence, and he soon
stood before the railing that shut WIS.,
itors away from a bustling floorful of
busy laborers In the vineyard Of lit
erature.
"Mr. Wilson, please" he said de-
cisively to the girl who advanced to
meet him.
"Ah, Mr.. Wilson," he greeted that
individual a moment later. II I'M
derstand that you are head of the
sales department."
81 am"
81 am looking for a job as a sales
man." said Waldron, "a book sales
man. Or should say book agent?
Anyhow, / feel that am well quail
fed for the job by education and by
nature. As to the latter, have the
best of recommendations. Just read
this letter, please"
Numbly Wilson took the proffered
letter and read it. AS he finished he
grinned broadly. He swung open the
gate in the railing.
Come in, Mr.. Waldron," he said.
1--WE do need new man and should
Judge that you have the fundamental
qualities necessary in this branch of
the book publishing business. should
not question Mr.. Davenport's judg-
ment on that point. Come I'M"