"Now," said Cheatum, "in the first place, Solomon----"

"Jeremiah, if you please, sir," said the young man.

"Ah, yes, Thomas--_pshaw!_--Jediah, I would say," continued Cheatum,
correcting himself--

"Jeremiah--Jeremiah Bumps, sir," sharply echoed Mr. Bumps.

"Oh, yes, yes; one has so many clerks and salesmen in course of
business," said Cheatum, "that I get their names confused. Well,
Jeremiah, in the first place, you must learn to please the customers;
you must always be lively and spry, and never give an offensive answer.
Many women and girls come in to price and overhaul things, without the
remotest idea of buying anything, and it's often trying to one's
patience; but you must wait on them, for there is no possible means of
telling a woman who _shops_ for pastime, from one who shops in earnest;
so you must be careful, be polite, be lively and spry, and never let a
person _go_ without making a purchase, if you can possibly help it. If a
person asks for an article we have not got, endeavor to make them try
something else. If a woman asks whether four-penny calico, or six-penny
delaines will wash, say 'yes, ma'am, _beautifully_; I've tried them, or
seen them tried;' and if they say, 'are these ten cent flannels real
_Shaker flannels_? or the ninepence hose _all merino_?' better not
contradict them; say 'yes, ma'am, I've tried them, seen them tried, know
they are,' or similar appropriate answers to the various questions that
may be asked," said Cheatum.

"Yes, sir," Jeremiah responded, "I understand."

"And, William----"

"Jeremiah, sir, if you please."

"Oh, yes; well, Jediah--Jeremiah, I would say--when you make change,
never take a ten cent piece and two cents for a shilling, but give it as
often as practicable; look out for the fractions in adding up, and
beware of crossed six-pences, smooth shillings, and what are called
Bungtown coppers," said Cheatum, with much emphasis.

"I'm pooty well posted up, sir, in all _that_," said Jeremiah.

"And, Jeems--pshaw!--Jacob--Jeremiah! I would say, in measuring, always
put your thumb _so_, and when you move the yardstick forward, shove your
thumb an inch or so _back_; in measuring _close_ you may manage to
squeeze out five yards from four and three-quarters, you understand? And
always be watchful that some of those nimble, light-fingered folks don't
slip a roll of ribbon, or a pair of gloves or hose, or a piece of goods,
up their sleeves, in their bosoms, pockets