Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 7, 1928 — page 120: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

110 terday afternoon when I was out. I was at the doctor’s for treatment. I didn’t know that you knew I was ill, but it was nice of you to call. I should have written this sooner, but I know you will appreciate my position and forgive me for being rude. I’m going to have Will bring you home to supper some night. Very sincerely, GLADYS JoRDON BARKER. George laid the letter on the desk and stared at it. What a fool he had been! But it was too late now. The only chance he had was to ask Mrs. Barker to explain the matter and soothe her husband’s wrath. t It was obvious to him now that Barker knew nothing of the subway incident, and that all the trouble had been due to his own nervousness and worry. A man can't give his mind to two important subjects and do justice to either one. 7 The call to the meeting broke in on his thoughts. George walked to the conference room like a man headed for the gal- lows, taking the letter with him. The meeting would probably finish him, but he decided to make an effort to vindicate himself, with Mrs. Bark- er’s apology to-help him out. The gen- eral manager presided at this confer- ence. - “Gentlemen,” he began, “ this meet- ing has been called to announce a change in the personnel of the organ- ization, and to discuss various changes in our policy.” “Mr. Chairman,” interrupted Bark- er, rising to his feet, “ there’s a change in the personnel of the sales depart- ment to be announced and I want to do it right off, so you can make the rest of your changes accordingly. I’ve been tormented by that so-called assist- ant of mine as long as I want to be. This office isn’t big enough for both of us. Either he’s going out or I am— suit yourself. He can make more mis- takes in half a day than I can correct in a week. He just lost a batch of ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. salesmen’s expense accounts and this morning he handed me a sales letter that wouldn't sell fur coats to a freezing Eskimo. That’s only a sample, but it’s the last sample.” “Yes,” piped up the manager of the manufacturing department, “and yes- terday, he sent me a dozen or more large orders without sending them through the credit department. We just happened to discover the error be- fore production. “That kind of mistake is expensive in time and money.” The general manager listened quietly to these orations. When they finished, he looked expectantly around the table. “Any more complaints?” he asked. When no one took the floor, he turned to George. “‘ Have you anything to say for yourself, Mr. Linden?” ‘Only this,” said George. “ That I admit everything these men have told you. But for the last two days I have been laboring under a considerable nervous strain. If you will read this letter, I think you will understand it partly. I supposed myself to be in the same position in which this lady finds herself, and considering the personage, I believe you will agree with me that it was the cause for a good deal of worry.” The general manager took the letter and read it through. “T don’t know anything about the incident mentioned here,” he finally said to George, “and I can’t say that I understand why it should give you cause for worry. But what I do know is that you have been laboring under a mental strain for some time past. You have, in reality, been doing the work of two men and the only won- der to me is that you have kept things running as smoothly as you have.” He turned to Barker. “ I’m mighty glad, Barker, that you made the sug- gestion you did. It saves us the trou- ble of firing you. We shall be very willing to accept your resignation. As a salesmanager, all you have done is Gomichbooks (E@)