TOM’S NEW employer was Oliver Burton. He had come from New Jersey originally with the intention of going to the mines, but he was shrewd enough to see, on landing in San Francisco, that trading was a more certain means of getting rich than mining. He established himself in the city, therefore, bought out a man who was compelled by sickness to retire from active business, and was now rich. Though occasionally irritable, he was in the main just and easy to get along with, and Tom soon got into favor.
Our hero had never worked, but he was sharp and diligent, and he did not need to be told the same thing twice. So at the end of the first week his employer said:
“Well, Tom, you have been with me a week, and for a green hand you have done remarkably well.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Tom; “I have tried to do my duty faithfully.”
“You have. Moreover, I am convinced of your honesty.”
“You need have no fears on that score,” said Tom proudly.
“I have not, and experience teaches me that this is quite as important as a capacity for business. Why, my last clerk was a capital salesman—knew how to please customers and influence trade—but contrived to swindle me out of several hundred dollars in three months.”
“That wasn’t very satisfactory,” said Tom.
“I should say not. But what I am coming at is this—I should like to have you remain with me. What wages will satisfy you?”
“You are a better judge than I am. What did you give your last clerk?”