PERPLEXITY
He went out as usual after breakfast, and then walked leisurely
downtown. He proposed to go to the shop of the Great Pekin Tea Company
and resign his agency. He was on the watch during his walk for any
opportunities to repair his unlucky loss:
At one place he saw a notice:
"BOY WANTED."
Though he felt sure the compensation would not be sufficient to allow of
his accepting it, he thought it would do no harm to make inquiry, and
accordingly entered.
It was an extensive retail store, where a large number of clerks were
employed.
"Is a boy wanted here?" asked Frank of the nearest salesman.
"Yes. You may inquire at the desk."
He pointed to a desk some distance back, and Frank went up to it.
"You advertise for a boy," he said to a tall, stout man, who chanced to
be the proprietor. "Is the place filled."
"No," was the answer; "but I don't think it would suit you."
"Do you think I would not be competent, sir?"
"No, that is not the difficulty. It would not be worth your acceptance."
"May I inquire what are the duties, sir?"
"We want a boy to open the door to customers, and this would not be
worth your accepting."
"No, sir. Thank you for explaining it to me."
The gentleman was favorably impressed by Frank's polite and gentlemanly
manners.
"I wish I had a place for you," he said. "Have you ever had any
experience in our line of business?"
"No, sir; I have very little experience of any kind. I have acted for a
short time as agent for a tea company."
"You may leave your name if you like, and I will communicate with you if
I have a vacancy which you can fill."
Frank thanked the polite proprietor and walked out of the store.
Though this is a story written for boys, it may be read by some business
men, who will allow me to suggest that a refusal kindly and
considerately expressed loses half its bitterness, and often inspires
hope, instead of discouragement.
Frank proceeded to the office of the tea company and formally resigned
his agency. He was told that he could resume it whenever he pleased.
Leaving the store, he walked down Broadway in the direction of Wall
Street.
He passed an elderly man, with stooping shoulders and a gait which
showed that he was accustomed to live in the country.
He was looking about him in rather an undecided way. His glance happened
to rest on Frank, and, after a little hesitation, he addressed him.
"Boy," he said, "do you live around here?"
"I live in the city; sir."
"Then I guess you can tell me what I want to know."
"I will if I can, sir," said Frank, politely.
"Whereabouts is Wall Street?"
"Close by, sir. I am going that way, and will be happy to show you."
Frank had no idea his compliance with the stranger's request was likely
to have an important effect up his fortunes.