american tragedy

Chapter 34 (1)
Chapter 25 (1)
As soon as he arrived here, he realized how different this place was from the world he was familiar with.This is really a small town. The station where I got off half an hour ago is pitifully small and there are no cars. The industrial area on the other side of the Mohawk River has only a few red or black factory buildings, and occasionally encounters a big chimney.Two bridges, five or six roads apart, connect it to the urban area, and one of them leads directly to the train station.The bridge was wide, and a tramway passed the bend in Central Road.

However, on Central Road, pedestrians and vehicles are quite lively.The hotel where he lived had a row of wide windows, under which many chairs were scattered among the palm trees and pillars.Opposite the hotel is Stark's Textile Emporium, a large-scale building with four floors of white bricks and a length of about a hundred feet.In addition, there are other shopping malls, a hotel, a movie theater and several car showrooms.

He walked forward, and suddenly found that he had left the urban area and entered a residential area, where the road was wide and there were trees on both sides.Every house here is very large, with a lawn, and it is magnificent and luxurious.He found that this street is indeed remarkable.Although it is only a residential area in a small town, it is definitely rich and graceful.Impressive iron fences, flower paths, bushes, and expensive cars.Nearby are some shops that are closest to the city and display luxurious luxury items in the shops.

Where does uncle live? Is his house bigger and more luxurious than these?

He thought he should go back immediately and reported to his uncle.He had to find the factory first.Probably on the other side of the river, he had to go and see.What would he say? How would he say it? What would his uncle tell him to do? What about that cousin Gilbert? What would he think of himself? The gate of the factory.The building was built of red brick, about a thousand feet long, six stories high, and surrounded by windows.Clyde later learned that the old buildings in the factory were connected to the new buildings by several bridges.Two houses built along the river run parallel to the river bank.He also noticed that every hundred feet there was a gate, guarded by a workman in uniform.Doors [-], [-], and [-] are marked with "Workers Only", and the word "Office" is written on Door [-], and Doors [-] and [-] may be used for loading and unloading goods.

Clyde walked into the office.He walked through two automatic doors to a woman who answered the phone.She sat at the telephone desk behind the railing that led to the main office through a small door, and she guarded the door.This person is short and fat, not outstanding in appearance, in his thirties.

"What can you do?" she asked Clyde.

"Mr. Gilbert Griffiths."

"What's up?"

"Well, I'm his cousin, my name is Clyde Griffiths, and he'll see me!"

He showed her the letter, and her eyes immediately became gentle, even admiring.It seemed that it was not because of what he said, but because of his appearance that she was deeply moved.She eyed him curiously.

"Let me ask for it for you." She replied politely, and while connected to the phone in Gilbert's office, she replied that Jill was busy and could not receive him.She said, "It's Mr. Clyde Griffiths, Gilbert's cousin, with a letter from Mr. Samuel himself." Then he said to Clyde, "Please sit down, Gilbert. Mr. T. Griffiths may see you later, he is busy at the moment."

Clyde felt that he was treated with an extraordinary politeness which he had never received.He is actually the nephew of such a family! The factory is so big and the building is six stories high. When he was walking across the river just now, he saw many rooms where women were working nervously. He was very excited.The high red walls of the building testify to the impeccable grandeur of its owner.

This reception room is surrounded by white and gray walls.On a door inside was written: "Griffiths Collar Shirt Company, General Manager: Samuel Griffiths, Secretary: Gilbert Griffiths." Clyde didn't know What it was like inside, what kind of character Gilbert was.

He was meditating here, when the woman suddenly turned to him and said, "You can go in now. Gilbert's office is at the back of this floor, the one by the river. You can ask the staff inside, they will Point it out to you."

She moved her body, as if she wanted to open the door for him.He hurried over and said, "No, thank you." While pushing open the glass door, he looked at the large factory building with hundreds of workers.Most of the workers are young men and women, all working hard, wearing sunshades over their eyes, short alpaca overalls, and sleeves on their shirts.The girls mostly wore flattering plaids, or work blouses.The room was supported by white columns with no partitions in between.Around it was the office, with the names of some of the company's clerks: Mr. Smillie, Mr. Rudge, Mr. Cotper, and Mr. Burke.

The wiring woman said that Jill's office was in the last one, and Clyde walked straight there."Mr. Gilbert Griffiths, Secretary" was written on one of the half-open doors.He hesitated for a moment, then knocked lightly on the door.A shrill voice said, "Come in." He went in and saw a young man, smaller and older, who was certainly ten times smarter than he was.This is exactly the kind of person Clyde yearns for: experienced, talented, knowledgeable about management, and prestige.Clyde saw that he was wearing a smart gray dress, his lighter hair was combed back shiny, and his pale blue eyes were bright and compelling.He wore a pair of bright-cornered office glasses, and his eyes quickly surveyed Clyde, from the shoes to the hat in his hand.

"Are you my cousin?" Clyde asked coldly when he came over, with a forced smile on his lips.

"Yes." Clyde said.He was flustered at this reception.He felt at once that he could never respect this cousin as he respected his uncle.The establishment of this large factory is all due to my uncle's ability beyond ordinary people, and what is he? At most, he is the heir of this enterprise. What is so great about him? He is putting on airs.In fact, if it wasn't for his father, who would have gotten him to do this?

But then again, he wants to get help here because he needs others, no matter how others help him, he should be very grateful.So he tried to put on a smile.But Gilbert Griffiths thinks he is very arrogant. Isn't he just a cousin? What's the big deal, let alone begging us?

But since his father had agreed, he also put on a smile, thinking of countermeasures in his heart.One side said: "I guess you will come today, how is the way?"

"Ah, not bad." Clyde replied anxiously.

"You want to learn to make collars, don't you?"

"I want to learn a trade in order to have greater opportunities for development and have a bright future." Clyde said as calmly as possible.

"My father told me about his conversation with you in Chicago. From what I can see, you don't seem to have any practical experience of any kind. You don't know how to keep accounts, do you?"

"Yes, I don't understand." Clyde replied very regretfully.

"You don't know how to take shorthand, do you?"

"No, I won't, sir."

As he spoke Clyde lamented his own lack of training in all respects.Gilbert Griffiths looked at him as if to say that you have nothing to do with our company.

"For you, it's best," he continued, but in fact, his father has clearly explained how to do this, "first go to the sinking room to exercise, and our production will start from there , you should learn from the beginning. When we know how you are doing down here, we will know how to arrange you. Unfortunately, if you have worked in the office for a day or two, we may consider whether to keep you here ?” (Clyde’s face darkens at this, which makes Gilbert feel smug) “However, whatever you do in the future, it’s good to learn the practical work first.” He didn’t say that for Comfort Clyde, but just talk about the facts.Seeing that Clyde was silent, he continued: "I think it's better to settle down before coming here to work. You haven't booked a room yet, have you?"

"No, I came here at noon," Clyde replied. "I was a little dirty, so I found a hotel to clean up. I want to find a place to stay in a while."

"You don't have to look for it yourself, I'll ask the administrator to contact you later. He's more familiar with the situation in this city than you." He thought that Clyde was his cousin after all, and it didn't look good to live in a too casual place.On the other hand, he also worried that Clyde might mistakenly think that his family took special interest in his residence.He finally decided to try to arrange for Clyde so that no one, including his father and family, would think highly of him.

He pressed a button on the table.A girl in blue checked came in.

"Go get Mr. Whigan."

After a while, a burly man of medium height walked in.His spirits seemed overly tense.He was about 40 years old, looked around and saw something.

"Whigan," said young Griffiths, "this is Clyde Griffiths, my cousin. You remember I told you about him!"

"Yes, sir."

"You take him to the sink, where he's just been assigned. You teach him how to do it. And, you ask Mrs. Braley to help him find a room." (All these arrangements, Gilbert and Whigan It was agreed a week ago, and now it sounds like he just came up with the idea.) "Also, give his name to the attendance officer, starting tomorrow morning, understand?"

"Yes, sir." Huigen bowed deeply, "Any other orders?"

"No, that's all," said Gilbert. "You go with Whigan, Mr. Griffiths, and he'll tell you what to do."

Huigen turned around, "Follow me, Mr. Griffiths." Clyde noticed that he spoke very politely, and he followed Huigen.Gilbert immediately shook his head and went back to work, shaking his head.He had already decided that Clyde's intelligence might be at the level of an ordinary waiter, otherwise how could he appear in such a way? I really don't know what he wants to do here.He thought, what did he think he could get out of here?

(End of this chapter)