THE OLD MAN HIMSELF.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4922, 18 October 1884, Page 4

THE OLD MAN HIMSELF.

A few days ago a Western merchant, who wanted to do some sight-seeing, and buy his fall stock at the same time, entered a dry goods jobbing house on {^roadway, and accosted the first person he-met with "Are you the proprietor here ?" Not exactly the proprietor was the reply. "At present I'm acting as shipping clerk, but I am cutting my cards for a partnership next, year by organising noon prayer meetings in the basement." , The stranger passed on to a very important looking personage with a diamond pin, and asked, " are you the haad of the house ?" "Well no; I can't say that I am at present, but I have hopes of a partner* ship in January. I'm only one of the travellers just now, but I'm laying fora §2000 pew in an uptown church, and that will mean a quarter interest here in less than six months." The next man had his feet up, his hat back, and a twenty five cent cigar in his -mouth, and he looked so solid'that the stranger said : " Yomnust ran this establishment ?" "Me ? Well I may pretty soon. At present I'm the book keeper, but I'm expecting to go into a church choir with the old man's darling, and become an equal partner here." ■The stranger was determined not to make another mistake. He walked along until he found a man with his coat off busy with a case of goods. "The porters are kept pretty busy here, I gee." " Yes," was the brief reply. " But I suppose you. are planning to invest in a gospel hymn book and sing the old man out of an eighth interest, ain't you?" " Well, no, not exactly," was the quiet reply, " I'm the old mau himself."