The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-01-14
Everybody-Every-
thing "Yessed" Him
By H. A. SEWARD

| ]. -
GO by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.l
(WNU Service.)
TT WAS a warm day. T. R. Booth
L sat behind his great oak desk. The
Office air was heavy and moist-the
kind that makes half-retired execu-
tiveS droop their heads down to the
chests of their stuffed bodies. Looking
out of the broad window of his Office,
Booth could see that the sun was
bright and the sky clear.
There came over him slowly feel
ing of hatred for his Office, for its fur
nishings, for everything. He gradu-
ally became seized with a mad desire
to jump up and upset everything In
the place-to tear, upturn, smash all.
Then he realized the utter futility Of
the thought. The senior member of
Booth & Son could not make a raving
fool of himself.
What a life! Success. How he
thirsted for it; how he had worked
for it. Now that he had it, he didn't
even know what 1t meant. Power, in
fuence, money, luxury-people called
him success. Irony. Bitter para
dox. Nothing to do now that he was
on top. President Of the company,
chairman Of the board of directors,
chairman Of the boards of four other
corporations.
Bah! There were no more real peo-
IN hn ovvyt-
ent world of Eyes men," Yessed MORN
ing and night Even his wife did It,
and God knows that was a calamity.
Couldn't even be disagreed with in his
own home. His daughter married q
man from his own college, so that he
was even deprived of football argu-
mentS.
Things were coming to pretty pass.
He bet himself that even If he
Well, he might try it anyway, just for
the fun Of it. Smiling grimly to HIM
self he pushed the buZzer. The id
thing seemed to say "Y-e-e-s." Wat
kins appeared in the doorway. Wat
kins-the obsequious secretary. "Yes,
Mr.. Booth"
Watkins, you consider me q good
weather pr0phet?"
every good, sir"
"Well, predict that rain will fall
within an hour at the latest. Am I
right?'
Watkins glanced meekly out the win
dow to behold a cloudless, obviously
clear sky. Then, turning his blinking
gaze to his executives face, he calmly
replied: "Quite right, SIR"
Booth leaped to his feet and pound
ed the desk. His face bulged, grew
purple, and the veins in his neck
Swelled almost to their bursting point
as he blurted, Oh you, Watkins, any
fool can see with half an eye that
there's not sign Of rain today"
ayes, SIR" Watkins shrugged his
shoulders and glided softly from the
room.
In the outer Office group Of young
men were gathered around the water
cooler. Earnest, intelligent looking
young men they were, giving advice
to one of their members-a personable-
looking chap. Now he was addressed
by a noisy fellow, the 'let-me-tell-you"
kind.
Listen here, Larry, I've been work
ing for this guy for two years, and be-
lieve me, I know him. He's like the
rest Of the big guns. You've gotta
salve him up, you've gotta use the old
Oil on him plenty"
II know, but it doesn't always pay
to be hypocrite. don't want to be
anyone's footstool, anyhow. I don't be-
lieve in being yes man."
"Oh, yeah? Well, you'd be lot far
ther ahead in this little old world If
you did. The trouble with you is that
you're too Independent. Now II you
want this promotion, boy, you've got
to do as I'm telling you. When you
60 in to see the Old bird, yes him
to death. If he tells you the moon
is made Of green cheese, say he's
perfectly right. It doesn't cost you
anything to feed his vanity. and you
get along better when you make him
feel as though he knows 1t ALL"
'Y0u have right to your opinion,
and I to NINE"
Larry struck out for the private Of
flee Of old '"Ty" Booth. AS the youth
entered, Booth was lingering a card
on his desk. Booth read the card
over, at the same time thinking of the
man whose record was scrubbed on it.
Lawrence Pickett. Steady chap. Rep
utation for being good worker, clev-
er, but Independent Old ely" won
dered.
Booth looked up at his visitor. Then
he said lightly, as If speaking of IT.
relevent things. II pride myself on be-
ing somewhat Of a weather prophet.
Right now I predict rain within an
hour. How does that sound"
The young man looked out at the
clear sky. He felt, uncomfortably, that
a whole lot depended upon his an
swer. He started to reply, hesitated,
then smiled and said:
II think that your prediction is
very good, sir. think that it will rain
very shortly"
Booth frowned and said, 'Mmmm.
Oh, Pickett, about that position I
asked you to come in about. I can't
give il TO Won now. NAV later