“It was just an uprising of the people, Mr. Copeland. The boys had to have you. You got two hundred votes, and Sears, of the Thornwood Furniture Company, was the next man with only sixty-two.”
“You did that, you young scoundrel,” said Copeland good humoredly, “and I suppose you gave ‘The News’ my picture to print in their account of the hotly contested election!”
“No, sir; I only told the reporter where I thought he would find one.”
The Bigger Business Club was an organization of clerks and traveling men, that offered luncheon and billiards and trade journals in a suite of rooms in the Board of Trade Building. It took itself very seriously, and was highly resolved to exercise its best endeavors in widening the city’s markets. Incidentally the luncheon served at thirty cents was the cheapest in town, and every other Saturday night during the winter there was a smoker where such subjects as “Selling Propositions,” “The Square Deal” and “Efficiency” were debated.
“Well, now that you’ve wished it on me, what am I going to do about it?”
“Your election scores one for the house and, of course, you’re going to take the job. The directors meet once a month, and you’ll have to attend some of the meetings; and you ought to turn out at a few of the smokers, anyhow. It will help the boys a lot to have you show an interest.”
Copeland’s face became serious. He swung round in his chair and stared at the wall for a moment.
“You think I might do those young fellows some good, do you?” he demanded bitterly. “Well, you seem to have a better opinion of me than most people. I’m much obliged to you, Jerry. If you’re going up there for lunch to-day I’ll go along.”
Copeland had ceased to be amused by Jerry’s personal devotion; there was something the least bit pathetic in it. If any one else had taken the trouble to make him president of a club of clerks and drummers he would have scorned it,—but no one else would have taken the trouble! He was satisfied of that.
Copeland was at last thoroughly sobered by his financial situation. For two years the drug business had been losing steadily. Farley’s strong hand was missed; in spite of his animosity toward Farley, Copeland realized that his father’s old partner had been the real genius of the business.