Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1898 — THE SELF-POSSESSED LAD. [ARTICLE]

THE SELF-POSSESSED LAD.

He Took Occasion to Correct the Head Member of the Firm. Just where the lad came from is not apparent, but he was rather a crisp looking youngster of 14, small for his size and foxy about the corners of the eyes and mouth, says the Detroit Free Press. He entered the office of a wholesale house on Larned street east and approached the head of the establishment, who was in bad humor about something.. “Do you want a boy here?” asked the applicant for a position. “No, we don’t want a boy here,” responded the merchant in the ordinary manner of a man in bad humor. “Are you sure, sir?” “Of course I am. Dpn’t I know my business? Get out!” “What’s that sitting on the stool over there?" asked the caller very politely and without being at all disturbed by his reception. “He’s our office boy,” replied the merchant, rather taken aback. “You want him here, don’t you?” “Of course.” “He’s a boy, isn’t he?” “Yes.” “Well, then, sir, you are mistaken when you say you don’t want a boy here. What you really intended saying was that you didn’t need me here. Good-morning, sir!” And before the merchant could pull himself together this remarkable youth had got out and was lost in the crowd on the street.