Making a business woman

MAKING

A

BUSINESS

WOMAN

BY

ANNE

SHANNON

NEW

HENRY

HOLT

MONROE

YORK

AND

1912

COMPANY

1911,

Copyright,

1912,

BY

THE

COMPANY

PUBLISHING

CURTIS

Copyright,

1912,

BY

HENRY

COMPANY

AND

HOLT

Published

1912

October,

HP, "3

THE

"UIHN

*

BOOEN

00.

PRESB

CONTENTS

I

BOOK CHAPTER

page

I. II.

Decide

I

Begin

to

Failed

I

Why

Career

My Find

to

in

Big

a

City

Work

3 20

....

III.

"

IV. V.

Job

Four-Dollar

A

It

Coming

I

Get

My

Bittner

with

"

Over

Country

the

First

"

Raise

Merchant

42

Book

VI. VII.

The

VIII.

60

Binks'

As

I

Assistant

Value

of

Caught

73 87

Himself

to

Between

Quarrel

the

Inside

the

on

Individual

the

in

Get

the

94

Partners IX.

25

Bittner's

Begin

and

Binks

Bittner

Takes

Odd

the

106

Trick .

X. XI.

Mr.

Bittner Every

Getting I

XII.

Has

Have

Great

a

Good

Man's Idea

an

My

of

I

Return

My

to

113

Paragraph

127 138

Own

II

BOOK

I.

Idea

Old

Home

145 ....

II.

I

Go

Business

into

Myself

for

156 .

III.

The

IV.

The

V.

A

Woman's

Only

Mouse-man's

Little

176

Graft

198

Worked

That

Scheme

Soliciting

Company

Advertising

206 .

VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.

XII.

Writing A

Panic

Copy

Making

Cleah Begin

on "

a

Promoting

a

up

Over

Advertise

to

Money

234

Business

Data

Forestalling

I

.

Paralyzes

Gathering

222

Clients

Twenty

for

Gold

254

Railroad

273

Side

the "

Dead

a

281

Summer

290

Mine ....

Fifty

Thousand

Dollars "

Again

and

302

I BOOK

CHAPTER

I

DECIDE

BEGIN

TO IN

I

tired

equally relatives blood The

in

ever

sort

of

and

the

pride, just

as

of

this

in

nothing

envied merchants

spending

One

"

I

can't "

blood

And

on

thought

physicians,

and

I

always

now

make

a

botch

a

see

ways al-

had ous prosper-

and

kind restricted

relatives

in were

lawyers. stately of

I

aunt,

using

slang

naturally." she

could the

of

presence

acres

I

one

so

never

a

could

I

were

of

male

the

it

fathers

were

broad

proud.

I, whose

in

dear,"

My

your

the

use

be

tradesmen

as

professors,

:

our

with

it

said

But

to

whose

girls

money

remarked

of

one

the

of

ancestors.

which

and

day

No

always told

they

girls

These

another.

"

:

they

our

of

the

was

past-generation

my

remark

I

poor.

business." was

slaves

being

of

hearing

it

of

worst

CITY

tired

of

CAREER

MY

BIG

complacently was

college

A

downright

WAS

I

same

use

gravely,

responded slang occasion,

constantly 3

one

of

trend

of

"

no

naturally." following in

my

mind,

the I

declared,

;

I

4 "

DECIDE

I'm

going and

TO

to

with

of your "

awful

I

dependent

only

not

of

rest

home

for

suitable

was

heads

the

work

I

the

I

would,

I

was

one

no

hold house-

our

into

condition

could

of the on

go

in

teaching

my

family.

my

What

lady.

a

fifty

venturing

my

protection of

for

term

and

of

diploma.

life, if

my

under

town

life

The

my

successfullypassed

I had

a

tated irri-

since

I had

and

against disturbing

examinations

school

summer.

against

set

well-being.

average

the

older

one

!"

me

hundred

two

month,

a

The

me.

stop

earlier.

through

no

exclaimed,

I

taught

I had

face,

in business."

!"

years

dollars

business, but

the

and

me

on

were

had

the

child,

My

shan't

It

several

see

earning sixty

I

I

just closed, to

"

:

blood

"

control.

fully in

me

money

the

on

death,

dollars

looked

make

twenty.

was

father's had

she

could

bosh

past

ness, get into busi-

city and

finality,said

blood

Then

CAREER

money."

Horror-stricken, and

MY

Northern

a

make

BEGIN

It

could

more

want?

I

But

routine

life, and

that

young

the

world,

shouldn't in his

went

men

and

my

class "

York.

the

of

One

"

the them

of

I was

Another

restricted

narrow,

I

experiment.

to

many

I?

the

to

eager

compositions

in New

with

bored

was

cities made

schoolboys

had

often

good. who

had

helped

hit upon

day

every

already doing had

argued

a

him

of

Why

uated gradwith

splendidly good thing

DECIDE

I

in

Seattle

real

If I

could

TO

a

them

equal

didn't

do,

to

tell

the

for

Chicago leaped

the

to

If

not

in

why

brains, whether

were

what

family exactly

is to

said

merely

vacation

;

in

meant

going

I

their

minds

was

to

instantly

in

school

to

way

close mouth.

a

that

normal

summer

keep

I

the

that

found

already

my

I?

girl's.

my

last, I

sands. thou-

couldn't

classroom,

interference

serious

5

worth

now

it, why

the

brains

a

had

I

as

escape At

or

was

do

in

Surely

boy's head, I

could

CAREER

MY

and

estate,

they

business?

BEGIN

near-by

a

suburb.

Unfortunately when

and

examined

I

trip, allowing I

as

I

needed

but

the

of It

of my and

the

Chicago into

ingly cat.

ahead It

The

that

of

seemed thrill

nights

of

entered

the

I

linen

long

my

train

the

me,

had

gone

nothing.

actually with

I sat

had

dim

tention in-

no

moment

station,

on

stuffed

hands

my

grinning too

with

grayness

like

good

all the

me

way.

of the

unsee-

Cheshire

a

be

to

to

way

my

coat-pockets, staring and

it,

into

of the

out

long, hot, dusty

great

said

grimly

months.

altogether remained

round

a

but

certainly

pulled

was

freedom.

and

was

victoriously jubilant

the

realized

I

in two

most

life when I

and

scenes,

ticket,

my

smiled

I

that

money

returning

was

it

months.

pocketbook,

my

extra

hated

I

purchased

it, I found two

me

it in

put

brother

my

true.

days When

and we

big city,the

I

6

DECIDE

TO

thrill deepened it lasted

that

the

At

I

"

station

her

addresses She

room.

show

a

The

cheapest

of

half

a

week.

I

one

first.

and

he

I

where

me

brick her hand.

I

in

she

and

car,

told

told

I

then

and

pleasant in As

back

she "

me

:

parlor

cleanliness.

its

saw

I

had

I

don't

to

the A

was

allow

I

not

month

a

pay

the

to

It

room.

maculate first floor, imalcove

small

pleased any

was

know

objection

no

me

on

to

said

I

room

in, but

me

wanted

have

I

in her the

asked

she

showed

she

decided

She

door,

broom

a

I

When

her

red

the

answered

and

You'll

difficulty

no

old-fashioned

room,

"

added,

was

instructed

policeman,

had

an

clean.

the

me

and

that

employed.

was

so,

bed.

and that

to

go

the

to

towel

a

pretty

doing

the

would

dollars

to

Street

was

dirty

so

advance."

a

a

card,

said

two

once

landlady

in

was

be

employed,

at

number

It

The

showing

where

her

of

she

was

Madison

a

place.

She

before

rooms

decided

out

swathed

itself must

the

the

residence. head

who

find

might

I

back

policeman,

his instructions

the

finding

the

on

asked

get off.

to

followed

I

and

car.

gave

pointed

list

a

right

where

clearly

was

depot matron,

places

a

to

me

the

me

of

wrote

directed

and

the

noise

the

by

action

of

plan

my

I found

out.

bewildered

not

big,

so

was

its border.

reached

we

was

for

mapped for

after

I

excitement,

and

glad Chicago

was

long

CAREER

MY

BEGIN

she

held

further

housekeeping

in

rooms."

my

trifle

a

me

city

had

I

accepted

not

looked

She

at

lars. dol-

ten

my

took

traveling bag,

my

returned

her, and

from

that

house.

suspiciously,but

put down

I

her

keep

to

7

CAREER

MY

assured

I

the

to

come

BEGIN

TO

DECIDE

I

to

the

station

my

own

room,

the

key

for

my

trunk. When the

I

laid

door,

aside

"

about

It's

me.

"

Now,

then

and

trick's I

I'll go

pretty

all the

and

that

would

job

a

the

and

"

which

of

my

effective

most

prove

went

blocks

two

at

hot

of

morning

I meant

room.

to

and

do

myself.

everything my

faith

With

I

far

so

in

was

a

scissors

Street cents

I

Then

with

of

them

thing thoroughly, at

feeling had

my

copies

bought

the

successful and

Madison

returned

get something reallygood

over

coffee.

and

and

papers,

thrill

paid twenty

I

cakes

stand

news

a

a

to

where

restaurant,

in and

great city.

a

decide

to

still in

breakfast

a

my

get

morning, I

small

stopped

to

of

warn

long night's sleep,

a

and

out

gowns

next

adventure,

for

and

who

employer.

an

a

bath

said, with

I

people

wiles

the

sleep trying

to summer

The

to

older

at

looked

and

coat,

dirt ! "

closed

I

turned."

went

with

and as

easy

hot

good

a

as

against

women

young

hat

my

fling

contemptuous

a

in

again

was

the very so

gone

optimistic, swimmingly

outcome

pencil

I

I believed

start.

settled

was

lute. absodown

in

I

8

comfortable

a

windows, "

the

at

chair

big

"

wanted

help

I

but to

paper

was

in

ads."

begin

the "

indefinite of

expectations

My

of successful had

begun

writers

the

hazy

to

as

less real

I

world

was

had, however,

I could

run

in This I to

got

made the

than

house

to

list of

basement

instructions

the

me

office

where from

the her

for

equally

which ;

had

I

how

and

I

accomplishment.

some

an

gun be-

problem.

a

for

learned

brother

do

had

was

Mars

had

I

my

surely give a

of

business

one

of

world

of

it seemed,

they I

graphies .bio-

on

first connection.

my

I had

much

as

when

the

would

a

typewriter.

a

amusement

own

was

knowledge

get into it

make

to

was

and

;

to

position

a

whom, how

said

want

vague

based

were

Just

never

some

to

up

"

the

expected

in

all of

men,

bottom.

had

how

business

The

to

the

at

had

I

from

ments advertise-

read

never

work

and

tisers adver-

went

The

somewhere,

bottom

business,"

trust.

I

all.

before.

city paper

a

at

I had

me.

signers, de-

foreladies,

these.

them

through

bewildered

the

read

to

accountants,

of

none

paper,

stack

bookkeepers, secretaries,

telephone operators, "

open

advertisements.

correspondents,

stenographers,

two

in the

first paper

for

called

Employers

the

section, began

lists of classified

long

CAREER

between

the

opening

and

MY

BEGIN

TO

DECIDE

had

extra

a

law

my

writer typework.

entering wedge. positions, ran

down

landlady lived, finding each

of

and the

I

DECIDE

places, and for

car

It

have

reception

the

in

door

looking

at

very

stray

It an

I

than

I

to

on

people, did

the third

importing throng.

I

the

on

next,

reception

At

women.

left, and

was

by

"

office "

one,

That's

next

comes

see

why

a

place.

throng

its

at

with

limbs

here

tried

I

the

list.

At

filled with the

and

on

a

;

tea

cern, con-

doors.

patent-

myself glibly, any

was

I

spondent tired, de-

of

work

to

so

address

patent-medicine

a

This

boy,

Place

what

the

want

of

several

away

each

to

waited

the

down

being rudely

to

such

and

were

an

in

be

address.

room

couldn't

dismembered

concern

hands

work on

told

among

the

Through

legs

women

I

stood

women

and

certainlydidn't

medicine

applicants,

and

greater

looking

The

on

to

even

ficial arti-

an

hanging

to

proved

I

artificial limbs

I

went

with

get in.

arms

wanted

be

to

looking to

when

Avenue.

packed

was

see

and

and

Well,

Street

o'clock

Wabash

gruesome.

once

list.

my

Madison

proved

on

room

could

I

people

left

ten

hall, unable

walls, the

many

nearly

disheartened

dreary,

the

been

establishment

limb

glass

a

first office,which

my

about

boarded

down-town.

reached

and

9

CAREER

MY

more

once

must

small

BEGIN

TO

so

and

found

an

more

I

went

coffee

equal and

number

next every

place

the

patient, waiting

places

the

applicants

unceremoniously

turned

repeated mechanically

who

filled." of

being late,"

I overheard

I

10

a

DECIDE voiced

rasping "

told

I

one.

"What's "

"

worn

Be

ahead

other,

that

the

The

me

just

"

I went

the

other

crowd

of

and

you

on

I felt

once

that

all

was

first.

was

the

six.

at

up

made

I

lists,and

my

still

with

cants. applieach

tried in turn there

one

every another

was

unlocked, but

elevator

and

it

at

course,

was

At or

the

o'clock.

to

numbers. women,

All

papers,

away

snapped

throng.

I

I reached

packed

was

responded

crowd,

a

there

be

to

by eight

first door

hall

early."

come

then,"

Of

again.

following morning

The the

big

as

younger

a

younger

suggestion.

a

down-town

and

up

crowd,

breakfasted, bought the was

to

say

lost in the

were

needed

was

CAREER

waiting."

self-confident

very

MY

the

just

of

gave

get

use?"

out

they

as

This

to

you

There's

all

BEGIN

elderlywoman

the

wearily. get

TO

a

was "

of

case

of

place

filled." The

third

five and

by the

door. "

said "

at

all

women,

morning

three

A

seven.

up

dozen about

disputing.

were

don't

was

I

you?

here

was

first,"

one.

Huh

! I've

pressing "

or

by

I

sleepy, hovered

tired, hot, and Two

still.

wiser

was

first number

my

along, why

Go

I

That's

brother

got

been close

nothing, the

here to

five," sneered

since

door-knob.

the

I've

first paper

other, an-

been run

up

since off

the

two.

My

press

and

I

12

DECIDE

What

different

a

the

first

The

"

applicants

ladies,"

about the

at

walls

patient couldn't

all waited

we

engaging others

I

was

I

knew

I

had

seated

at

working table

ushered with

they

were

paring pre-

that

Yes, it?

smiled

was

And

back

others

a

mind

the very

near-by.

;

up,

his

into

so

the

on

still

and

at

the

beside

intently over

smiled

She

of

didn't

a

the as

asked A

piece

look

I

quite

him. a

I

me

school, but

assistant, and

desk

office went.

chance

!

decorating. True,

manager

and

heart

give

china

inner

the

sinking

wouldn't

little

a

looked had

as

be

to

"

workers, they

trade.

while

softly

wait

to

many

and

little about

Never He

moved

lovely,wasn't

"

turns,

be

daubed

artist.

of

full

shelves

in. to

very

gazed eagerly

enough, they

person,

afraid

so

!

china

last, and

at

came

middle-age,

apron

just so

fall

early

young

turn

fast

our

flocked

My

was

the

decorating

"

white

needed

them

get for

dainty

they

yes,

"

perienced refined, inex-

and

with

telling them

them,

among

a

them.

low-voiced, honey-mannered

A

in

woman

young

lined

to

inner

of

all

of

many

chairs

were

china.

decorated

it

that

seemed sacred

timid,

women,

ing reach-

On

current

wanted,

them

comfortable

on

!

the

were

of

most

CAREER

found

invisible

an

looking sat

MY

reception I

door,

The

office.

BEGIN

resistlesslytoward

me

sweep

TO

up

no

was

business ingly engagbe

to

me

was

woman

of

china

as

I

took

at

my

a

DECIDE

I

TO

envied

I

and

seat,

BEGIN

MY

her

CAREER

she

"

13

had

already

a

job.

china

he

yes,

assured

they

had

started

"

he

Ah,

so

I

and

wasn't

much

so

I had

when

And

all the

trouble it made

distressed;

I

skill a

I had

nimble

very

the

"

I would

exceedingly steady

well, flighty,as rather

He

have

it

preferred

ten not

and ;

but

young

inclined

were

employ

to

free.

five

as

woman, ones

younger

teach me

made

woman

as

employment

high

as

one

said

He

teach

fingers

was

and

required

would

they

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made

ferring trans-

being artistic,

of

nimble

tions decora-

but

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fingers.

matter

Many

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to

process

in

learned

day,

painting

appeared

she

an

smiling

repeated,

It wasn't

French

a

such

winter.

be.

the

was

have

a

to

Yes,

he

dollars

"

learn.

looked

six

and

I could

"

you

being careful, steady. as

The

beginners

many

see

it

as

by

steadiness

"

learn.

that

;

and

explained.

them

me

could

about

will learn."

china,

on

said

learn,"

will

you

Then

on

little

I

yes

yes,

very

speak.

brightly. "

had

frowned

you

fingers

perhaps

;

take

He

to

But

me

to

it difficult.

"

but

outside

woman

knew

I

manager

painting,

young

"

the

told

I

older

women.

I my grew

began absolute

to

grow

steadiness,

interested; he

and

uneasy of

listened

my

assured

need with

more

to

him

earn.

and

of He

more

I

14

DECIDE

TO

attentiveness. "

times,

"

for

desk

unlimited

learned

for

three

the

materials

china

dollars

and

left the

away

in my

day

I

snapped

That

big city accept

The Then

of

of

month.

work

three that

and

how

that

would

hundred

I

of

sixty

dollars.

had

and

over

I

cream ice-

an

home

letter

was

about

pay

me,

a

month.

dollars old

dear

my

I.

tated hesi-

had

And

buoyant

most

a

my

said

aunts

escape

from

in

a

to

in

a

I

prayers

the

awful

business. I

following morning I

could

so

victory.

my

Chicago, art

dollars

ten

splendid opportunities

many

like

later

clutches

price

safely stowed

myself,

measly salary

a

thanksgivings

and

the

be, excluding Sundays,

a

I wrote

the

some

found

would

celebrate

to

months,

few

the

send

paid

make

fingers at Caution,

night

telling of

were

up

could told

I

hundred

my

soda

work,

day

a

give

to

I

supply

and

contract

earth

on

three

nearly

the

that

pocket.

dollars

Ten

would

they

Gladly

So-and-so

explained

practise

to

office with

that

at

he

out

called

It

Miss

after

half

a

house.

my

woman

any

"

many

took

and

blank.

Then

which

on

said, nodding

contract

process.

CAREER

understand,"

a

the

and

a

I

piece-work

to

out

MY

he

last

drawer

had

If

At

understand,

I

the

of

BEGIN

carried

delivered

practice,as

the

had

materials

later in the I could

home

day.

easilysee.

It

my

and was

The

first lesson. the all

a

plates matter

little trans-

fer

designs bowl

into

a

and

by

flat in

be

the

the

plates

then

were

returned

deftly

the

to

at

much

so

All

or

would

five o'clock

clothes

chance

that well

were

and

the

practical. of to

the my

I

second

called

much showed

same

time

to

of

the

still be open

fight

feeling a her

to ;

an

need

the

come

blister

see

early closing

lovely that

worth

returned

and

to

to

marred

at

some

work.

my

spired in-

were

morrow.

speak

to

hopes

five dollars'

designs

for

some

; my

others

make

into

by

landlady paused

it looked

tiny

hoping

bought

the

hurried

I

many

By

exhausted,

was

blistered.

transfer

day

impressed her

I

bubble

them.

over

designs

to

way

full

door, and,

of

Too

little paper

The

I worked

office would

This

room

required

without

down-town,

founded.

in the

one

pert little blue

down

go

violet

last

street

be

to

the

on

not

supply

my

still the

and

worked

I

all afternoon

crease;

do

dozen.

per

that

later

and

I should

were

the

blemish;

dry,

When

transfer

to

no

to

rows

services

my

morning

violets

in

put

must

though painted

leave

to

as

There

design

learn

to

was

out

finger

plate.

the as

decorators.

plate perfectly

the

of

smoothness

point

and

thumb

wrinkles;

or

The

so

of

the rim

on

perfect

plate.

design

cautiously slipped

application

place

slipped

be

must

paper

then

water,

bubbles

no

with

adhere on

of

skilful

pressed must

prepared

on

15

CAREER

MY

BEGIN

TO

DECIDE

I

one,

She

her. each

my

was

Then

I

piece.

16

I

She

DECIDE

TO

MY

BEGIN

had, it appeared, been

long

She

ago.

beside

the

violets

attracted

was

to

do

it.

I

and

her

urged cleaned

with

her

all

me

The

careful

little blister

The

said

landlady She

work

and

I

there

a

of

set

do

to

office,made

right along. a

neighbor:

watched But

and

every

blister, that

half

a

called

dozen

women

time

in

deadly

the

as

end

blister!

her

we

friend," with

worked her

sat

dipped there

hard

dollars,

five

my

we

her,

it.

together in

worth

was

"

for

this

We

suggested

it

up.

for

place

a

;

her

After

designs.

used

living in

plea

for

contract

expense.

roomers

a

how

five dollars'

best, took

my

the

venomous

all

be

decent

a

any

matter

were

would

and

thing looked,

and

buy

keeping

wasn't

the

received

would

there

tired

was

to

she

No

later, that

patterns

our

worked

and

wouldn't

the

spelled delay

sure

promised

returned and

be

could

too.

new

that

bathroom

scrubbing

Why

or

she

sure

tantalizing as

as

promising

sooner

nightfall

if she

her

blistering?

how

appeared,

By

back

came

was

the

to

she

see

so

was

rushed

wrong?

without

were,

we

there

thing was

on

go

She

try.

little

dainty I could

;

she

"

hands, then

What

puzzle.

one

morning, neglecting

sweeping.

design

to

of

knelt

and

The

me.

in the

painter

broom

tremendously

get hold

eager

could

her

table, watching her

china

a

down

put

CAREER

sister about and

a

gether to-

and and

pasted.

appeared

that

I

I

Once

I

TO

DECIDE

the

wrapped

the

office.

my

success.

The

said

they

the

he

time

stepped

Almost

I could

there

me;

looking

the

in

had

so

white

the

At

dollars

left.

responsible

failure I we

the

were

down

showed

became

a

show

assured

he

and

to

the

to

me

took

glass, he

plate

plate.

my

I

was

a

how,

me

hole,

ing allowHe

through.

in

I

returned

helped

she

some

saw

way

discovered

I

had

"

a

to

was

done

no

without

good thing."

I

pay re-

me

still

she

had

was

been

a

blame.

that, following

carefully shown, by be

It

me.

let

but

some,

dollars,

that

her

made

spent

just fifty ten

felt

I

rent.

loss, and

This

transferring

had

spent

my

had

I

had

task.

the

to

up.

gave

landlady

her

it.

and

I

of

for

and

certainly

his

eye,

While

and

whenever

so

blemish.

his

to

called

designs,

on

The

of

later

it with

he

;

ing magnify-

readily enough,

days

ten

amount

frowned

window fell

designs

of

dollars

half

small

a

up

adjusted

blemish

the

more

end

full

that.

!

thirty

the

realized

burned,

the

of

sorry

bought

I

been

with

patient, he

tiny

through

burning,

the was

the

it

at

it

jubilantly to with

face

see

was

that

plate

his

feat.

behind

the

to

the

delighted

were

screwing

over

17

way

finallyhe

instantly

window.

be

it

seemed

they

must was

glass, and and

carried

inspector

He

CAREER

accomplished

and

plate

orders, but All

had

I

sure

was

MY

BEGIN

the

method

possibilitycould blisters.

They

I

18

DECIDE

this

children of

sofa

ordinary fill in

to

effect

the

there

outlines

work

cost

paints,

I

flowing

into

the

end

of

my

experiment.

started

the

week

There

and

affable this

the

polite

and

was

abrupt My

"

I turn

velvet

and

savings

Lady

Young

"

hoped

I

"

refined

always

fake took came

of

some

it that at

knew

at

kind; the

"

of

ucational EdGood

it wasn't

found

the

If she that

once

if she

that

I

sat

at

down.

according

position

last, and

right !

clothes, and I

offices

receptiongirl. I

for

ladies," but

young

classified

At

poorer

headed

designated.

refined

pleasant a

inal orig-

in it all

money

reception girl's request, I

the

of

five dollars

was

most

my

of the

manners

for

seen

districts,

as

stream

Family."

number

office filled with

was

Refined

Good

into

the

at

and

;

loved

I had

rural

some

it, that

who

it.

for

advertisement

an

for

teaching, got

After

I

I answered

Work

called

well

an

get-rich-quick-man's pockets.

a

Appearance

taught

in

districts

second

my

size

company

money

only twenty-five cents

was

Then

was

in

ornaments

Art

Home

rural

pay

the

to be

were

question the premises

I didn't

the

The

the

would

and

dreadful

most

in

people

velvet

paint, producing

there

that

of

and

dogs,

cats,

we

with

At

company.

squares

cushions, and

insisted

were

such

on

truly startling.

gravely

so

outlined

were

"

Art

unseemly

most

CAREER

MY

Home

a

the

place

BEGIN

"

tried

I

Next

TO

was

was

was

to

very

the

ness busi-

rude

and

genuine.

reception girl's

CHAPTER

I

WHY

I

FAILED

back

WENT

the

was

now

with

my

courage to

return

old

school

ebbed

ticket.

Thus

and

own

the

schoolroom

I

that

that done I

reviewed

"

doors that I

now

the

time a

if

best,

my

every me

foolish.

was

"

the

fear I

had

"

return

wished

I

hadn't

I

the

ticket.

I

hadn't

had had 20

leaned it

had

;

most al-

really

somewhere.

fear with

city by

of

starve

realized

now

great

gray

sustained

been

I

vast

and

I

weak

I

the

of

routine

city if

been and

shadow

the

wondered

summer,

of

in

give

humiliating,

too

remain

To

impossible.

dollars. To

the

to

teach room

ten

question-

back

it

and

My

exactly

gan bethat

to

town.

seemed

"

of

contract

the

settle

and

I

passed

possessed

and

lower

thought

home

my

and

;

point.

summer

resolved

I

over

failure,

up,

in

and

the

under

was

winter

due

Over

the

I

sank

vanishing

with

It

hunting. refusals

and

heart

the

to

myself

was

crowds my

comfort

that

rent

of

refusal

each

position

regular

story

WORK

FIND

TO

to

September.

was

II

the on

that

that

fell its

upon

closed

knowledge it

it

in had

a

of way.

been

impossible to

effect

demoralizing

a

and

went

had

no

in the

time The

the

to

for

of

the

Park

that

had

lions, then

and

fed

the

solitary elephant

wondered

how

but

with

all

by

the

a

his

The

elephant'seyes

as

well As

"

for

make I

sway

do

can't

You

him,

of

went

head

and

thing

best

on

from

of

the and

nothing

they've got the

in

about you

before

powerful, futile stood

he to

I

open.

made

There

me

stopped

paused

with

at

feeling

I

me.

a

numbers

the

strength

man.

looked a

off

strong

so

and

tiny stake,

endlessly

to

be

out

dollars

the

and

on

staked

power

but

"

went

interference to

all eager

saw

over

office

the

women

walk

to come

it felt to

this

ment advertise-

I found

I

had

I

me

an

answer

when

away

Lincoln

to

desperation

chained

to

lifeline.

a

to

came

all

here

paid only twenty-five

that

turned

I

went

of

end

nice-looking young

job

month.

Side

thrown

have

the

thought

North

with

this

and

this

to

I had

and

physician'sassistant.

a

crowded

holding

been

I had

ticket,"

return

drown,

or

time

Every

I should

;

had

had

comforted.

half

swim

to

sea

something

ticket

a

been

there

efforts.

my

room

my

had

return

be comforted

morning

gone

for

to

right to

myself the

:

back

on

21

found

Oh, well, I have

"

I said

I failed

That

WORK

that

have

should

I

somehow.

somewhere,

FIND

I knew

return.

ticket

return

no

TO

I FAILED

WHY

do

all

his

wabble

day

ears.

with

intelligence.

it,"

I

tied

;

so

said you

aloud

might

it."

the

elephant

toward

"

sui-

22

WHY

cide

"

I FAILED

bridge I

I would

that be

I climbed

I

walked

the

out

shot

duck.

their

float them

watched

the

for

hard

an

with

The

the

in white

oarsmen

took

purse,

slowly tearing the

air.

fell

lightly

Then as

placid

out

it into

bits

stood

and

I

snowflakes

on

Overhead

motormen

and

of

while

opening through

the

heavy

and

Washington

Wabash

Avenue

purpose

settled

and

adamantine

and

the

through

as

the

rain.

It

elevated trie

day,

traffic

in my

down

of

brightness

clouds

way

jostled

slender

where

same

fast

to

way

with

ble impregna-

the

my

and

street.

unending

and

over

my

at

restless

the the

down

lengths

lagoon. about

looked

vast

far

evening

of

itself.

given

on

they

as

corner

Street, that

city

out

toward

was

waiting

cars

lithe

the

I heard

and

which

bridge,

below.

water It

as

vigor.

ticket, and

let them

on

and

Deliberately I opened return

the

center

held

myself.

over

propelled by steady-armed

water,

my

high

I looked

me;

"

suicide

arch

city,flat

gray

all about canoes

"

delicately moving life and

stirringsof of the

its

to

life

agent.

that

situation

own

phant; ele-

an

free

a

"

my

not

was

thing puny

of

top

graceful

treetops

hum

the

to

its

spanned

make

would

; I

the

I

me.

vaunted

tied to

WORK

FIND

filled

rage

was

not

down

me

a

TO

the

being

old

gray

morning was

pounded

a

had

dismal its

chinery-mad ma-

air; stuffy surface

incessantlyjangling

their

jogged along, continually checked

bells

by

WHY

teams

I FAILED

steps of

the

the

and

that

home

the

to

hurried

ward to-

block.

To

the

was

head-on

the

gave

next

that

"

shops,

clung or

the

23

from

cars,

in

station

reach

purpose

WORK

street, and

already packed

elevated

car

a

FIND

people poured

offices, filled the

stores,

get

of

streams

;

TO

dous tremen-

rush

the

to

mob.

waiting

I stood

The

ground

was

lightspring

suit

in my

hat

veil

my

window I

stood, and old.

sag,

my

mouth

the

wreck

the

They're

"

it isn't head

employees "

they

they this

got

as

many

sound;

I'm

get

up

!"

It's

an

I said

and

here, and

plate-glass

drawn let

and

fascinated

at

then

And

it

down

:

contemptuously: kind

store

"

of

creature.

he's

employees

any

I'll break

just

a

who

were

with

jobs

seeking

once,

climb, that's as

pale

shoulders

my

steadily

women

toes

which

before

just people

and up

the

gazed

all these

men

fingers all

I

department

and

just

was

umbrella"

ripped. "

wrought.

"

m}

and

store

another

were

street

cold,

no

in

settled

employers

once;

employment.

had

just people,"

of

were

and

the

soiled,the feathe!

worn

cue,

purpose

all these

man;

the

summer

if

as

face

droop,

my

all

were

myself

my

Following

"

The

that

saw

that

feet

large department

and

was

cross

I carried

"

of

to

and

gloves

my

reflection

of the

my

shabby

was

torn,

a

chance

slimy,

draggled

was

was

caught

for my

all

;

of

'em.

and

through

I've

I'm

and

WHY

24

I

I

I

in

a

that

been

bank

didn't

sure

was

what

ready

did

not

to

make

myself

take

it

want

that

was

routine

anything.

that

in

want

figures I

work.

my

of

kind

balance

were

one

faced

some

not

had

any

wanted,

be

to

had

I

bookkeeping,

to

as

obnoxious

so

know

I

to

I

did

I

do

to

obstinate

was

fill.

and

able

I

what

favor,

somewhere

could

I

account,

was

I

that

existed

stenographer,

never

I

there

position

still

last,

should

Even

though

even

greatest

my

qualified

not

But

at

that

employer's

was

office.

an

WORK

preparation.

an

I

squarely

belief

a

him?

offer

thing fact

gain

to

FIND

course,

of

lack

was

manage to

of

realized,

now

handicap I

TO

FAILED

own

my to

me.

but

However,

I

III

CHAPTER

ONE and

that

to

had

morning

next

newspapers

advertisement

encouraging

was

me

an

significant:

Wanted:

Rapid

Come

I

noted

the

I

found

the

on

the

of

moving

the

near

only just

struck

when

already

filled

tired

very

large-featured the

among

blanks.

The

spattered

one's

knife

table with

hackings

was

ink ;

and

the 25

It

ings buildriver.

the

arrived,

I

applicants.

with

and

harassed-looking

fair

type

other a

cation appli-

out

they

down

sat

dirty

small

disfigured penholder

silently

was

girls, giving the

after

One

affair

old-time

the

of

one

at

difficulty.

district

was

about

wrote.

in

down

went

without

wholesale

but

and

given office

floor

had

office

handsome

woman

the

the

o'clock

Eight

and

Business

Bittner-Binks

work.

to

go

address

top in

over

but

to

accepted.

Beginners

Co.

once.

was

Operators;

Typewriter

prepared

Books

A

the

BINKS

"

BITTNER

of

WITH

JOB

DOLLAR

FOUR

A

was

with

pine some

of

the

26

A

and

incrusted

Dust

stood

I

mind

waiting stick

to

formerly last

At in the I

turn

my

had

My

I handsome

didn't

from

me

and, glancing

each

of

the

hand.

them

hand.

and

The

The

others

from

stuck

inner

his

head

badly,

as

shook

now

The

be

was

man

small and

though

dark he

some

was

in

its its

young

eyes

that

in his

hinges

hopeful. ployer. em-

The

had

done

paper

with

the

to

other

favorable

waited.

the

soon

then

with

crowded

more

didn't

door

back

stepped had work

constructed

peered through

in

He

was

a

and

opened well, and frame. with slits

narrow

I decided

ing go-

and

stoop-shouldered,

shirtsleeves.

she

slips as the

door

crudely

under-employee.

filled

and

of

pulled

was

The

and

had

sheet

was

Pretty

us.

I

the

we

through,

scrutinizing

often

former

it

sorted

and

office

was

very

she

as

constantly

stood

it

it

which

wrote

without.

the

into man

I wondered

office became

recruits

she

that

I

no

the

others, transferred

I noticed

read

at

my

encouragement.

took

woman

young

not

were

much

up

until

down

sat

experience,

feel

chair.

crowd.

a

I

answers

former

no

found

came.

so

as

ink.

one

made

on

now

bottle

dried

only

had

the

at

ink

and

I

"

I

the

was

leaving

when

"

there

from

of

broken

;

dust

turn.

it out

blanks.

had

with

my

dismissed, instead done

chewed

everywhere, and

was

BINKS

"

variety,

much

apparently

heavily

was

BITTNER

two-for-a-nickel

cheapest top

WITH

JOB

he

must

smooth-faced,

;

on

hot

a

losing

was

I

"

the

was

for

quick,

red-headed

left

foot.

Suddenly

into

the

office; then

Ten "

too, and

the

again

"

fifteen

"

stacks

the

application

of

said.

first

man,

the back

again.

still

paring

tapped

He

was

with

in

head

blanks

he

;

started

and

he

those."

of

spoke

his

poked

piling up."

right leg

stopped

fifteen," said

his nails

who

man

he

is

work

new

girls is enough,"

new

Hire

the

pared

man

the red-headed

nervous,

vigorously scratching

now

"

me

one

some

away.

Well, decide

It

first

it made

and

It made

think

to

The

time.

silentlyon,

nervous.

looked

appeared

of

lot

a

steadilyand man

he

griddle;

BINKS

"

BITTNER

WITH

JOB

A

28

one

his

with

of

knife-

blade. The

fair, handsome

"

there

But

she

the little

at

only

are

machines

ten

in

order,"

said. The

tall, thin

Ten'll

at

"

his sauntered

rickety I

was

"

overtime he

more

Hire

again

man

do," he said. and

noon

Once

my

down

troubled.

man,

"

girl looked

at

hurried

back door

after

startled

shoulder.

slowly

into

work

can

night

till

we

a

his

head.

half-hour catch

up."

away.

fifteen," said nails, he

We

in

thrust

the

the

little

turned

man.

and

Still paring

nonchalantly

office,closing the swaying,

him.

by

the

handsome

girl'shand

on

"

You

will be

as

eyes

were

"

I said

into

"

things

;

few

every

the

until

room

none

Already

they

Ireland

serious

and

The of

the

this

way."

where

We

we

said

followed

her

she

I

and One very

was

room

into

a

few

each

looked

barely perceptible slowing thin, red-headed

a

"

the

Come

large

room

already

were

at

closely side by side,

wedged for

with

us

hurriedly,

forty typists

machines

entered

the

before.

said."

joined

and

or

barely allowing As

tremely ex-

business

of

giggling

alone;

woman

young

recruits

thirty their

came

uneasy.

handsome

last

girl

out

a

steamy

girls were

he

An'

and

into

position

a

"

occasional

an

from

was

The

held

chanical me-

and

damp,

another

full.

a

me."

of

tittering and

were

in

indicated

smelled

ever

said

for

evidently just had

college;

work,

so

face

her

cloak-room

the

moments

was

young,

hear

controlling

doorway

entry that

dark

garments

girl

chance,

first

my

wait

then

;

the

passed through

could

was

"

it?

distinctly said

they

into

Step

:

your

up

narrow

in

it

but

;

you

take

you

inexpressivenessshe

tone

I

and

voice.

low

a

week, and

a

Will

surprised,then

masklike

hang

"

in

29

Yes." seemed

She

kind

it

take

Don't

said

she

improve.

you

BINKS

"

dollars

four

at

you

raised

Her "

beginner,"

a

are

I will start

"

BITTNER

WITH

JOB

A

to

up down man

pass

and of

to

desk.

her

there

was

speed.

sprang

to

a

stantly In-

his

A

30

from

feet

desk

a

screamed

and want

work

to

handsome

and

uneasy, to

us

her

I had

she

led the the

of

to

office and

near

was

work

to

the

grouchy

The

handsome

quiet

and

I

thin

never

being

there

as

the

swiftness

where

the

on

a

flying

a

an

"

if she

tween be-

to

Krog

be heard. head

kneeling

before

in

her.

to

came

a

human her

disappeared

with

rear

of

such

in

took

boy.

armload

Miss

as "

silence

the

hair.

red

bullet

and

and

from

away

would

from

stored.

Miss

good light

round

a

that

tone,

rat

had

William

were

table.

small,

a

addressed

was

window

in

supplies

with

placed

of

front

balanced

was

the

pent-up

low

a

at

with

with

my

was

order, given in

place

a

feet

lips rose

much

so

saw

told

I

the

ten

I wondered

by

over

of

each

and

not

called

and

compressed

cut-case

harassed

thus

girl, who that

tone

man

up

balloon.

and

and

was

stunted-looking boy

A

a

I

thin

looked

Krog, a

but

by,

man

disadvantage.

window

a

the

and

aisle to

position

My

writers type-

particular make,

one

to

you

The

came

narrow

a

and

advantage I

just

use

room

Do

assigning

turn

assigned me

table.

rickety pine

of

my

down

way

"

hurried

task

the

When

learned

?

!

punctured

a

girl,still more began

work

your

like

the

of

rapidly again

disappeared

machine.

a

at

side

all winter

click

to

and

The

Keep

:

overtime

began dropped

"

out

farther

the

at

BINKS

"

BITTNER

WITH

JOB

He

of

the

Presently

packages opened

room

he

which them

turned re-

he and

started she

the

aisle

gone

the

rounds

in

girl, and desk the

of

the

she task

letters

was

line in the

perfectly

entire

addressed, and each

flap

similar

run

town,

in

of

was

paper

keys

with

make

the

not

run

is

he

"

I

:

say

so

for

Mr.

Cole,

then

the

sure

you

the

dictated

already

were

its

to

to

were

we

would

line

citizen

delighted with

am

impression

The a

and

ink

the

which

name

were

we

pinned

paper

one

of

your

Business

our

printed

section

equally

are

terested in-

tried-and-proved-

leading

merchants

of

the

sheet

on.

task

always

perfect alignment

just inks

these

the

been

and

personally

letter.

of

simple

no

give

of the newest,

methods and

closing,

the

and

;

reading

successful

to-day,"

"

:

"

to

on

It

that

Library

Man's went

this

to

of

proached, ap-

The

have

to

envelopes

a

of

body

writes

the

a

slip

a

carried

in the

insert

was

she

letters.

omitted;

The

on

one

form

to

each

to

as

appeared

as

thing

letter.

typewritten

work

typewriter, matching

so

again

quiet.

out

been

first

the

went

smiled

and

heading, had

body

the

one

but

the

the

that

get

on

fill in

spacing

to

The

typewritten.

to

kind

printed,

were

When

to

she

way

explaining

so

was

returned

quiet

girls. Every

new

Our

she

same

desk

to

31

BINKS

"

distributing work.

down

had

from

BITTNER

WITH

JOB

A

the

match;

evenly "

some

were

insert

and

degree

correct

for

to

the

to

of

printed

light

and

strike

the

force

to

forms some

did very

dark.

had

We

the

for Miss

with

thing

the

do,

to

the

would

all the Then

Krog time

that

she

show

to

it

would

"

her

would

hunt

feet

the

the

up

charge

of

the

page,

her

for

the

from

arose

It

names.

girl

was

yet when

and

time

one

be

to

and

to

be

Every

to

Katzen

and

Miss

red-headed out

the

"

and

"

culty diffi-

letter,

be inserted

the next, there that

ready computing,

of

spacing

the

to

was

the

length

of

additions

Krog

stacks

went

had

required

if time

new

work

top

were

to

every

from

desk

signed the

the

hurrying

finished be

speed

constantly

work,

of to

man

at

away

desk, inspecting the

giving

the

have

"

done

initial at

body

Dew

and

had

Another

the

jammer

clicked

carrying the

"

who

world."

sheet ! in

aisle

protesting

in the

her

of

lost. one

moment.

in

name

eliminations

quick thinking not

that

the

mistake

to

little

sheet

a

her

variety

necessary

the "

her

damaged the

with

correspond

show

frequent

down

do

in, easily identified by filling

bottom

with

work,

never

difficult

Every

running

go

old

and

a

man.

his

to

was

brought

red-headed

ones.

by letting us

it

then

failures

and

dark

heavy printing

even

spring

in his hand

Miss

but

keys lightly

the

it easier

the

the

and

from

he

paper

the

with

light;

the

heavily for

make

to

BINKS

"

touch

to

and

tried

outbursts while

learn

to

ribbons

new

ones

BITTNER

light forms

Krog

use

to

WITH

JOB

A

32

letters and

girls.

back

mailed In

ers, workto

and

another

A

WITH

JOB

department

the

at

it called

heard

that

plan

shelves

letters

forenoon whose

loss, I judged

would

surely

the

filingclerks, the

and

William

about

clustered

of

of

soon

was

Mr.

Binks,

other

the

had

disappeared

stifling,and

"

I

up

the

their

at

spread

lunches

of

opening of

the

new

company;

Bittner

The

scene.

when

a

air

by

open;

Bitt-

was

president.

was

I

noon

announced

gong

Miss

lunch,"

the

Instantly

faces.

typewriters, and Most now

boxes,

of

the

formed

tongues

girls had into

baskets,

girls went

Krog

nounced. an-

by twelve-thirty."

desks

your

over

and

the

o'clock. for

buzzing.

began Some

Be

cessation

a

elusive

thin, red-headed

the

was

glad

was

hour

half

Frowns

window

a

twelve

"

was

Krog,

the

another

and the

from

not

was

A

Miss

in shirtsleeves

one

partner

felt suffocated.

it

all

case

filingdepartment,

secretary of

youngish

ner,

that

made,

each

In

the

that

learned

the

that

and

letters

paper.

very

man

valuable

man,

one

in the

commotion

the

red-headed

frantically demanding sheet

Twice

business.

the

wreck

definite

some

wrong.

from

with

letters

to

misplaced,

were

them

putting

and

filingaway

always going

was

I

busy

were

women

young

were

33

BINKS

filingdepartment,

copies attached, according

carbon

I

"

the

"

dozen

a

"

They

again.

back

rear

files from

down

taking

BITTNER

and

downstairs

there took

brought

groups

and

packages. and, from

3*

A

a

JOB

WITH

BITTNER

standing

wagon

in crackerboxes

up I

went

I

had

"

to

found

during

women

The

job-seekers. penny a

creature

quite

for

satisfied

them her

As

the

had

Miss

gave

well you

late

being

roll, then

a

cold

I turned re-

of

the

windows

to

be

always

their

with Binks

chiefs. handker-

wouldn't

low al-

working

during

opened

asked

I

girls were

Mr.

reason

closing

when

explained,

losing time

that

air freshened

stolidlyabout

went

some

and

the

and

opened

Krog

it, that

For

the

been

William

again.

catching

of

and

a

office.

now

about

coffee

fairly

cents

afraid

was

with

windows but

I

feel

nineteen

"

from

full-blooded

too

and

the

among

ranged

not

eat

cents

myself to

;

ten

food

were

could

feast.

a

The

if you

you

satisfied

of

business

for

rests

too.

block.

next

pilgrimages

price

and

up;

the

in

these

many

put

pretty good

"

rest

about

my

looked

they

;

out

lunches

near-by, bought

noonday

a

BINKS

"

hours. The rush.

afternoon Added

passed quickly

voice

of

the

and

higher pitch

seemed dictated to

whom

sentences

that

have

in

the

words now

he

;

could

to

of

Binks,

was

letters

din

the

to

not a

come

and

to

an

answered

great

terrific

a

flow

by of

oratorical

easily.

I

personal

forms.

He

language, of

manner

caught

through

higher

ever

dictating those

be

then

in

hurrying typewriters

rising

was

rapid,

and

the

scraps

and one

of

racket, and

36

A

JOB There

surface.

were

than

that

which

door

from

the

that

he

affair

and

Binks

while

the

shooting and

that

balance

books, who

girl escape the

made close the

to

cage

the

between

and

at

a

at

small

so

and

After

every

eyes

wrinkles

have

been

hear

the

duced pro-

what

was

to

partners, time

same

to

mirror,

no

of

out

tear

or

let

a

up

tically weird-looking girl,fran-

receipts at

down

such

She

elbow.

small. say:

Every "Isn't

little assistant's

up

and

peculiar zigzag

to

the

her

bills and

would

going

side

to

effort

thin, muddy

amidst

a

seemed

her

Sharp's

was

bookkeeper And

out

Miss

face

the

on

eye

a

one

keeper book-

paper.

assistant,

Her

her

an

might surreptitiouslydart

of

spoiled sheet

to

the

on

was

direction

other

glance

or

room,

kept

that

situated

eye

structed con-

ing adjoin-

but

so

an

Sharp,

effect

behind

her

ing pass-

small, rudely

was

keep

continual

her

on

it

twisted

gave

This

by

A

office, so

without

workroom,

bookkeeper

mouth

a

appearance.

going

could

off in the

lines

main

lady, Miss

with

woman

this

go

a

Apparently

That

girls.

was

cage

the

in

alcove.

Bittner

penknife.

into

and

come

occupation

workroom.

bookkeeper's

the

his

hallway opened

the

through

other

with

found

BINKS

"

signs of

no

partners could

the

The

BITTNER

WITH

like demand

a

had

windmill the

to

be

close, the

few

moments

that

done

yet?"

work

faster,

would

arms

typewriter

a

in

a

hurricane.

bookkeeper

would

frown

if any

see

in the

there

Every

and

a

dozen

a

sheet

of

work be the

that

to

be

add

she

It

sheet

that

The became He

day

very

hard;

looking

opening

over

mail.

a

every

girl never much, work

day's

ing-groun los-

routine.

clicked,

and

no

yet

constantly

but

rejected

occasional

repetitionof

the

All

carefully, splitting

them

away

the

shoulders the them

I found

envelopes

that

Binks.

the

of

neatly these

I

dictating

wasn't

he

first.

Mr.

watching

when

very

in stacks.

ished fin-

for.

pay was

a

the

the

to

an

save

wrote

work

very

a

it

get

It seemed

up.

that

so

gave

especiallyinterested

worked

was

must

you

and

clicked

and it

of

second

letters, or he

clicked

came

rapidly

Only

effect

was

insert

to

finished

clicked.

up.

I

to

accomplishing

was

stacked

simply

nothing

o'clock

stack

work,

new

atmosphere

closings, the

the

remove

pressure

more

and

didn't

treadmill You

out

others, making

many

worked

I

to

fast

done

as

elbow

my

and

how

matter

time

needed

was

headings

and

she

of

steam

four

By

one

and

system

minutes

felt

where

Though

at

to

in that

be

fever.

paper,

lines

endless

ten

the

motions

again.

out

highest

at

top speed like all the

it at

going

cage

moment

a

couldn't

one

catch

not

her

room.

worked

one

instant;

every

to

big

of

bars

wasting

was

one

37

impatiently,then

foot

the

glance through

a

BINKS

"

her

heavily, tap

more

dart

BITTNER

WITH

JOB

A

he

and

girls, saved

filing

envelopes

38

JOB

A

furnished

the

letters

of

house. scrawled

Miss

by

Bittner's

no

waste.

she for

side

it

in

tore

Miss

to

of

these one

save

there

sheet

a

Binks'

of

was

paper

and

Sharp

pay

it. in the

called

"

he

;

Binks

afternoon

I'm

leave

busy us

Binks'

Mr.

to

salesman

paper

desk.

Mr.

affably.

most

too

carbon

a

shown

was

smiled

but

talk

to

to

samples

some

to-day,"

you ;

I'll be

glad

said,

he to

try

paper."

your

When

the

himself

very

salesman

the

gone

Binks

and

pulling

samples.

any

carbon

five

o'clock

bought

never

was

contentedly,

laid away

drawer, he

girl

all

and

desk,

same

in the

baskets,

waste

the

the

backs

the

pages

paper

scrap

on

no

of

a

turn

Late

"

were

If

must

down

went

for

notations,

Krog's

There

envelopes.

other

no

writing

blank

filed them

and

was

ideas

office for

carefully split the

inquiry

All

BINKS

"

in the

needed

he

There

purpose.

BITTNER

paper

Also

purposes. off

WITH

I found

paper

he

;

smiled

to

open

a

later

that

got along

samples.

on

It

after

was

with

wrong

took

Krog

my

old

my

place

Idly waiting

in

sheets

been

read

I

had

it.

As

assertions

the

I read

and

when

second-hand and

something

went

machine.

Miss

attempted

aisle, I picked

fillingin on

down

all

the

exaggerated

day

up

and

page,

to

of

one

it.

fix

the

began the

language

to

ing sweep-

amused

A

WITH

JOB

smiled, and

have

I may

me.

where

forgetting

sentence,

when I

39

BINKS

"

BITTNER

I

this

to

came

laughed

was,

I

our

business

right out-

: "

The

astound

is it?"

Bittner

had

stood

his

I

small

black

my

face

made

his

from

and "

You

candid,"

are

necessity

What's

snatched

'

The

"

Binks

the

"

'

Come

the

hand:

my

and

scowling, ferret.

a

'

*

enormousness

;

an

atrocious." in

down

His

swelled.

of

out

like

be

something

is

crumpled

of

pression ex-

last, from

at

letter

letter

slowly reddened,

neck

who

Binks,

me.

demanded,

he

should

word

enormity

face

the

wrong?

running through "

I

saying something.

of

Bittner

and

amused

my

at

said

I

him,

could, for

to

evidently seen glaring

and

at

I

as

darted

eyes

heels

fairly gimleting

were

sober

as

now

was

rubber

looked

I

eyes

My

had

desk

his

on

elbow.

my

frightened.

was

"

in

come

at

shrewd

me.

would

you."

"What

now

of

enormity

very

then

his grew

became

eyes

Bittner's

chair.

and

purple, two

sharp

his

points pin-

light. to

the

office,"he

in

demanded

a

brutal

voice. I

followed

him

to

the

desk

common

of

the

partners. He

flung

the

paper

down

under

Binks'

eyes.

two

A

40

"

he "

JOB

Nice

WITH

thing, that, Then

sneered. Miss

BINKS

to

the

in

set

trade

quick

a

!"

snap.

yelled. and

the

to

came

desk,

uneasiness. of

many

letters

these

"

One

hundred

thousand."

"

Two

hundred

dollars

mail

of

more

any

Miss

"

You're

run

were

sitting

contemptuously, head

side

from

Binks

his

was

face,

own

an

and

hatred

have

back.

I

"

"

"

I

found

I

may

turned my

his

way

the

began, meaning !"

in his the

betrayed

to

shouted

have

William

of

him

"

words

my

William

"

and

the

Perhaps

envied trade

word. to

suggest

as

much.

bling Binks, his lips trem-

burning.

eyes

from

else

that

look

dubbed

tongue. noticed

go

mistake

farther, beyond a

his

deep-seated.

already

have

on

partner.

the

something

given anything

controlled

and I

and

I had

never

You

loss,

suddenly thought

Silent, his

was

went

his

eyed

"

the

up

wabbling

Evidently

went

money

intense

I would

would

that

taking

and he

as

rage.

there

anger

annoyance

him

with

but

"

side

to

white

was

down

girls!

Bittner

one,"

Don't

!

dogs

stop the

;

rounds,

nice

a

work

the

on

the

to

gone

to-day's

started

Krog

letters.

the

out

"

"

off?

a

jaw

typewriter

with

How

send

to

his

he

left my

quivering "

!"

Krog

She

BITTNER

the to

desk, unable

the

cloak-room.

to

speak, Two

and

days'

A

WITH

JOB

employment

BITTNER

dismissed

and

the

moment,

I

morning

paid

eight

of

landlady, till

pay-day.

reserving

"

In

!

remembered of

but

my two

last

to

BINKS

the

awful

that

I

ten

carry

dollars

me

41

agony

had

that

to

through

the

CHAPTER

"

COMING

IT

IV

"

OVER

THE

COUNTRY

MERCHANT

WAS

I

when

wraps

hand

in

fumbling

touched

the

heard

I

for

passage

light

a

wrist

my

dark

and

footfall, It

detainingly.

my a

Miss

was

Krog. "

You

said.

I

perhaps

managed I

I

as

fearfully

at

which

that of

the

uneasiness,

threw

clothes,

and

I

However, of to

a

went

partly-paid

give

up

a

straits

prospect

almost

The

with

and

the

the

for

home bed

tion fric-

atmosphere

an

reached the

of

strain

general

that

on

tension

high

insecurity I

myself

slept

desperate

office, made

nerve-wearing. exhausted,

Bittner

Mr.

work,

to

combined

pervaded

unrest,

other.

the

required

haste,

in

this

before

before were

"

ice.

but

her,

quailed

we

unremitting

thank

as

she

morning,"

misunderstood."

you

to

was,

like

was

the

in

again

come

hand

Her

thought

as

to

are

in

rifically ter-

was

utterly my

street

hours.

back

the does

landlady

The

position. 42

next

not mere

day.

The

encourage

possession

face one

of

"

44

with

was

busy

the

rubbish.

desk

Some,"

"

Reword

got

a

copy

round

claimed

able

was

the

charged

for,

had

been

decorations I went

he

very

and

into back

bent

the

to

the

over

slowly,

then

one

He up,

put "

the That

looked and

in

letter

a

might

go

one-

fore be-

noon

copied

it

would

and

Bittner's

morning

on

be desk.

carving

I watched

but He

it

through

in

that

queer,

sauntered

for

a

him

read

and

up,

vacant

leisurelymanner,

before

I

to

the

letter.

about

about

ruler.

ambling, sideways gait, desk.

it

I

points.

nearly

was

machine,

got

before

elisions, and

spoiled

of

old

my

the

Then

most

nitely. defi-

required

thing, using

carried

there

got nowhere

many

had

of that

sentences

locate

It

Krog,

composed

were

me.

I

out."

Miss

was

and

to

entire

suit

sheet

a

my

brevity.

make

effusive

and

language.

of

in

up

j^esterday,"

from

It

it, made

it to

got

back

as

letter it.

on

over

much

as

I

He

the

in on

you

rereadings

finallyreworded

the

of

accurately

hard

worked

third

how

everything vaguely Several

I

were

you

see

about,

him

beating

me

work

to

picked

asked.

letter

let

and

had

whittling.

he

that

went

long,

his

he

quite casually by

paused

answered,

I

"

said,

and

He

"

OVER

ruler

old

an

write?"

"

I

IT

continued

and

"Ever

he

COMING

to

over

my

chair, pulled sat

down

and

me.

as

catalogue stuff,"

he

said,

THE

COUNTRY

MERCHANT into

deliberatelysplittingfringes with

paper

of

the

the

letter

it

come

the

over

It

"

"

having to

ask

the

see "

our

"

to

his

pipe.

He

he

spends

? "

;

to

a

appreciate just

want

hat.

a

the

don't

It

that

man

wants

that

man

take the don't

see.

merchant

just

;

sell these

of

the

when

off

in

his

time

folks

books.

that's he

go

How

by

this

in

the

he don't

care

a

you

goin'

to

light where

town

standin' ;

fied satis-

letter,

it to

uses

junk

some

business

perfectly

opens

circular, he

a

lives

most

watchin'

man

I go

I

me;

sellin' the

know-how

his

it's

our

'im

"

See?

country

a

finds

about

"

don't

I

over

want

about

quite

and

and

chant. mer-

grip

gotta

you

s'pose you're tryin' to

with

to

say."

hats.

sell to

to

stuff.

Now,

books

;

fawn

you

talkin'

didn't