"That's just it," said Robinson, with a chuckle, "all
the other men will apply by letter. I'll go right over
myself and get there as soon or sooner than the letters.
I'll be the man on the spot, and I'll get the job."
He was quite right. He went over to Liverpool, and was
back in a fortnight with English clothes and a big salary.
But I cannot recommend his story to my friends. In fact,
it should not be told too freely. It is apt to be dangerous.
I remember once telling this story of Robinson to a young
man called Tomlinson who was out of a job. Tomlinson had
a head two sizes too big, and a face like a bun. He had
lost three jobs in a bank and two in a broker's office,
but he knew his work, and on paper he looked a good man.
I told him about Robinson, to encourage him, and the
story made a great impression.
"Say, that was a great scheme, eh?" he kept repeating.
He had no command of words, and always said the same
thing over and over.
A few days later I met Tomlinson in the street with a
valise in his hand.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"I'm off to Mexico," he answered. "They're advertising
for a Canadian teller for a bank in Tuscapulco. I've sent
my credentials down, and I'm going to follow them right
up in person.
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