Part 55 (2/2)
”That I shall like it much better than mining. My only doubt is as to whether I shall suit you.”
”It is true that it takes a smart man to run a hotel, but I think we can do it between us. Now what will you consider a fair salary?”
”I leave that to you, Mr. Pettigrew.”
”Then we will call it a hundred and fifty dollars a month and board.”
”But, Mr. Pettigrew,” said Rodney in surprise, ”how can I possibly earn that much?”
”You know we charge big prices, and have about fifty steady boarders.
I expect to make considerable money after deducting all the expenses of management.”
”My friend Jasper would be very much surprised if he could know the salary I am to receive. In the store I was only paid seven dollars a week.”
”The duties were different. Almost any boy could discharge the duties of an entry clerk while it takes peculiar qualities to run a hotel.”
”I was certainly very fortunate to fall in with you, Mr. Pettigrew.”
”I expect it will turn out fortunate for me too, Rodney.”
”When do you want me to start in?”
”Next Monday morning. It is now Thursday evening. Mr. Bailey will turn over the hotel to me on Sat.u.r.day night. You needn't go to the mines tomorrow, but may remain in the hotel, and he will instruct you in the details of management.”
”That will be quite a help to me, and I am at present quite ignorant on the subject.”
Rodney looked forward with pleasure to his new employment. He had good executive talent, though thus far he had had no occasion to exercise it.
It was with unusual interest that he set about qualifying himself for his new position.
”Young man,” said the veteran landlord, ”I think you'll do. I thought at first that Jefferson was foolish to put a young boy in my place, but you've got a head on your shoulders, you have! I guess you'll fill the bill.”
”I hope to do so, Mr. Bailey.”
”Jefferson tells me that you understand Latin and Greek?”
”I know something of them.”
”Thats what prejudiced me against you. I hired a college boy once as a clerk and he was the worst failure I ever came across. He seemed to have all kinds of sense except common sense. I reckon he was a smart scholar, and he could have made out the bills for the boarders in Latin or Greek if it had been necessary, but he was that soft that any one could cheat him. Things got so mixed up in the department that I had to turn him adrift in a couple of weeks. I surmised you might be the same sort of a chap. If you were it would be a bad lookout for Jefferson.”
In Oreville Mr. Pettigrew was so well known that nearly everyone called him by his first name. Mr. Pettigrew did not care about this as he had no false pride or artificial dignity.
”Do you consider this hotel a good property, Mr. Bailey?”
”I'll tell you this much. I started here four years ago, and I've made fifty thousand dollars which I shall take back with me to New Hamps.h.i.+re.”
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