The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-10-18

Jimmy Hegger was one who dlon t
regard Arnold's hearty salutations
with any pleasure.
After working as office boy,
clerk, and estimator. Jimmy had
only recently oeen promoted to
his present status as junior sales
man. and that meant doing all
the spadework for Arnold.
The older man, who made a cult
of back slapping, had talked his
way into the job, but like many
of his type he had neglected to
slap the back of his subordinate.
Jimmy knew that mean, grasp
ing mind and disposition to kick
the underdog lurked beneath Ar
holds infectious grin and JoVlaI
ways.
It particularly hurt Jimmy to
see Peggy Harms look up with what
seemed very close to devotion as
Arnold passed.
And show it he would, Jimmy
felt, once Arnold was sure OF her.
But at lunch, Peggy never eveA-
gave him the chance to get
started. One sentence. and she
interrupted him.
JUST A BLUFF
But, Jimmy, what on earth have
YOU against him? I've never seen
Arnold with anything but smile
on his face"
Jimmy grunted morosely.
"You'd see something else II you
ever had to work for him. Hes
lust bluff, getting away with
murder, and on top OF that mes
nasty
your nothing but a jealous
little clerk" she snapped as she
rose. Jimmy knew where that ex-
preston came from. 1t was Elliot
Arnolds pet name for him.
Later that afternoon. Jimmy
sat in Champions office, going
over sales figures with his chief.
Suddenly Arnold burst in, the
picture of man who, having eX-
hausted every effort. has unJustl-
fiably met with the most trying
opposition. :,
There's not a chance to land
that Collreven job, Mr.. Champion.
The old buzzard wouldn't even
talk to me. after I'd hung around
there all afternoon. It's an inside
job-some friend of his has 1t
Sewed up"
Suddenly he noticed Jimmy. Il
thought I told you to keep busy
on the phone this afternoon,
lining up appointments. How
about it--are they made?"
AS Jimmy began his explanar
ton, Arnold brushed it aside. Mr..
Champion doesn't need you to in
terpret them for him.
Jimmy had gotten to his feet
and in the face of Champions
silence. he turned to leave the
room. On his way he WINGED as
he saw contempt at his subniS-
Siveness in Peggy'S dark blue eyes.
He knew that Arnold's buster
was made to co"er failure, but he
could hardly say so.
In Champions office, Arnold'S
voice doomed on" it's a fact,
Mr.. Champion. He'll never sell
much plaster for Atlantis by fool
ing around with records"
The manager, a methodical man,
sat silently until Arnold had fin
ished with a, well, chief-be see
ing you tomorrow" and airily
strobe from the office. Then he
called Jimmy in again.
You heard what he said, didn't
you, Hegger? What do you think
of it?"
The arguments and protests he
wanted to make froze in Jimmy's
throat. Like many men he was at
his worst when called upon to sell
himself to his own boss. He sat
looking at CHAMPION, agonized en-
barrassment in his eyes.
1T looks as though he is right"
Champion observed. II didn't want
to believe it. because had good
deal Of faith in you. Hegger. I
know you have good, methodical
mind. and a capacity for hard
work.
REVOKES RAISE
Il had hoped you would be able
to develop into good salesman
with them I hate to think that a
man has to be hoopla artist to
sell plaster He hesitated a mo-
ment, as if expecting a rebuttal
from Jimmy When none came he
went on Well, I guess Arnold was
rfght-you're better off as an Of
flee worker. You'd better forget
about being salesman. OF course,
I'll have to revoke that raise I
gave you"
All the time the manager had
been talking, an idea had been
forming in Jimmys brain He
didn't dare mention it. It was
something that would have to be
accomplished before it could be
talked about.
And accomplishment could only
be achieved away from the office.
That was the only way out of it.
He'd have to risk asking a couple
Of days off.
Alright, Hegger," he assented
somewhat bleakly. you can take
two days off if you want. It's
hardly what I expected of you"
II know. Mr.. Champion. But
! have to. Thanks ever 50 much. "
Jimmy fairly blurted the words
and fled back to the sanctuary OF
his corner desk.