"D--n those Eastern fellows," said he, vindictively, "I'd like to
wring their necks."

I had to appear interested and ask why.

"Because they're such infernal fools. Here's a case of 150 pounds just
in by express with $3.37 charges; could have come by Merchants
Dispatch for 69 cents. But the fool clerks they have down there have
the most insane idea about express, and every little while will shove
something like this in on us."

"Can't you charge it back?"

"D---d if I don't!"

He went into the office and ordered the book-keeper to charge up the
difference. I could sympathize with him. As stock clerk I had seen
many a box come in from the East by express that we were in no hurry
for, and that was never ordered to be so sent. The parties doing most
of this are not in New York stores, but at the factories. In the small
towns where most factories are, express and freight bills are paid
once a month in a lump, and the clerks and shippers do not see the
cost of each shipment. This makes them careless as to such charges,
and to receive or send a big box by express is a matter that does not
need a second thought. But in the cities, where each package is paid
for when delivered, the clerks soon learn how express charges count
up, and they do not ship so carelessly.

Perhaps I said something of this to Harris, but he finally turned to
me sharply and said, "What are you selling?"