No Clock Watcher

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Sep 17, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 36.

How many clerks measure up to the standard of the young bookkeeper in this story? He was employed in the passenger department of a great railroad. It was just a little before lunch. Some of the clerks were putting on their coats, some leaving for the wash-room, some consulting the clock, some were still busy. Suddenly the "boss" entered. He glanced about him, and then he approached the young bookkeeper.

"What time is it?" he asked.

The young man kept on figuring, and the boss put a hand on his desk and repeated the question.

Instantly the other looked up, surprised to see the chief at his elbow.

"I beg your pardon; were you speaking to me?" he asked.

"Merely inquired the time—that was all," said the other.

The bookkeeper glanced about the room, located the office clock, and said, "It's ten minutes to twelve."

"Thank you," said the general manager and vice-president, and strolled out.

That conversation cost the young bookkeeper his place—in the passenger department—and put him under a higher officer.

Nine years later he was assistant general manager, and while still in the thirties became general manager, full-fledged.—Human Life.