Walter Sherwood's Probation Part 17

"I think that will suit me," he said to himself. "It is a nice, respectable business, and I think I should like it. I will go to the office and make inquiries."

He entered a large building, devoted to offices, and ascended to the third story, where he found the office of Perkins & Windermere, the names given in the advertis.e.m.e.nt. A young man of about his own age was coming out of the office as he entered--an unsuccessful applicant, Walter inferred.

Opening the door, he saw a man of about forty seated in a revolving chair at a desk.

"I believe you advertised for an a.s.sistant," began Walter, as the occupant of the chair turned round.

"Yes," replied Mr. Perkins--for it was he--eying Walter with a scrutinizing glance.

"I would like to apply for the position."

"Humph! Do you know anything of the insurance business?"

"Not practically, sir."

"That's against you."

"I think I could soon familiarize myself with it so as to make myself useful."

"How old are you?"

"Very nearly eighteen."

"Do you live in Chicago?"

"I do now. I have recently come from the East."

"What education have you?"

"I spent two years at Euclid College," answered Walter, with conscious pride.

"So you are a college student?"

"Yes, sir." "Humph! That won't do you any good."

"I hope it won't do me any harm, sir," said Walter, somewhat nettled.

"No, unless it has made you conceited. I am a graduate of the People's College."

"I don't think I have heard of that, sir."

"I mean the common school. Don't think much of college myself. They don't help in our business. They didn't have any insurance companies in Greece or Rome, did they?"

"I never heard of any, sir."

"I thought not. You see, we of to-day are rather ahead of Demosthenes and Cicero, and those old fellows. I suppose Rome was quite a sizable place."

"I have always heard so," answered Walter.

"I'll bet a quarter it wasn't as big or as smart a place as Chicago. I don't believe they had any such hotel there as the Palmer House, or any dry-good store as big as Marshall Field's."

"I don't believe they did," Walter admitted.

"Did Rome ever win the baseball champions.h.i.+p?" demanded Mr. Perkins.

"No, sir."

"I thought not. Then what's the use in spending four years over those old fellers? How is it going to help you?"

"I don't expect it will help me to earn a living, sir. Do you think you can employ me?"

"What are your ideas as to a salary, young man?"

"I thought of ten dollars," said Walter, hesitatingly.

"Ten dollars!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Mr. Perkins. "Just what I thought. Because you've been to college you think you are worth a big salary."

"Do you call that a big salary, sir?" asked Walter, disconcerted.

"It wouldn't be if you had a couple of years' experience, but for a beginner it is simply--enormous."

"What did you expect to pay?" asked Walter, in a depressed tone.

"Five dollars is about the figure."

"I couldn't work for that, sir. It wouldn't pay my board."

"Where are you boarding--at the Palmer House?" inquired Perkins, rather sarcastically.

"No, sir. I am at a cheap boarding-house on Harrison Street, where I pay six dollars a week," answered Walter, with spirit.

"Then I don't think we can make a bargain, although I rather like your looks."

This, at any rate, was a little encouraging.

"But I can't pay your figure. I'll tell you what you'd better do."

"I shall be glad of any advice."

"Become an agent. You look as if you had a gift of the gab. A successful life insurance agent will make a good deal more than ten dollars a week."

"Can I get such a position?" asked Walter, hopefully.

"Yes. I'll employ you myself, on a commission, of course. You'll be paid according to your work I've known an agent to make a hundred and twenty-five dollars in a single week."

"If you think I can do it, sir, I'll try."

"Very well. Hare you ever studied life insurance?"