Joshua was not particularly fond of work, as we know, but it occurred to him that it would not be quite so dull if he had more customers to wait upon, and was rather enlivened by the prospect of a busier time.
When half-past twelve came, his employer said, “I’m going to dinner. I shall be gone an hour. When I come back, you can go.”
So Joshua was left alone. He felt a little hungry himself. Still he had a feeling of importance in being left in sole charge of the store. As there was nothing else in particular to do, he went to the desk, and wrote the following letter to his friend, Sam Crawford, in New York:
“Chicago, Sept. --, 186--.
“Dear Sam:--I seize a few moments from business”--Joshua wrote this with great complacence--“to write you an account of how I am getting along. I have not been a week in Chicago, yet am already chief salesman in one of the principal stores here.” (I am afraid our friend Joshua purposely exaggerated in this statement.) “I like my employer very much, and he seems to have taken a great fancy to me. His nephew was very anxious to obtain the situation, but he seemed to think I had good business abilities, and gave it to me instead.
“I have been about the city some, and like it. I think I shall make it my home, and some time Mr. Remington will probably take me into partnership. I am writing at noon, when we have few customers. I like this store better than yours. I am sorry we are not in the same city, as I should like to go round with you. Last evening I played a game of billiards with Mr. Remington. He said I did finely for the first time, and thinks I would make an excellent player.
“But I must leave off to wait on a customer”--it was an old woman, who wanted a paper of pins--“and must close for this time.
“Your friend,
“Joshua Drummond.
“P. S.--Have you seen anything of the old man since I left New York? Don’t let anybody know I am in Chicago. I only get twelve dollars a week now”--this again was a slight exaggeration--“but I expect to have my salary raised soon.”