About the author:

William Somerset Maugham was an English playwright, novelist, and

short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and
reputedly the highest-paid author during the 1930s. He is famous for his
clear and precise style of writing. 
Introduction
 This short story is about a verger, who is an illiterate.  This story shows
how an illiterate man can earn more money and wealth, because of his
smart thinking. In The Verger by W. Somerset Maugham we have the
theme of appearance, opportunity, dedication, independence and
humility. 
Summary
The Verger tells the story about Albert Edward Foreman, a man who
works as a verger in St Peter's church.  He is also a very calm person,
not stupid, even if he can’t write and read before being a verger;
Foreman was a servant in very good houses. He has been a verger at the
church since he was sixteen years old. He like his job and does it as
good as he can. Recently the vicar has died and a new one had been
appointed. Albert regretted his predecessor because the new one always
wanted to control everything and he wanted everything done his way.
One day, the vicar, discovers that Albert Foreman is illiterate. The vicar
tells Foreman that if he doesn't learn how to read and write in 3 months,
he'd have to quit his job as a verger. Albert says that he never thought it
was important to know how to read or write, and if he couldn't learn
when he was younger, it'd be even more difficult now. So the vicar fired
him. Albert didn't want to be a servant again because he doesn't want to
be run by a master.
After that, Albert started to walk through London's streets, with the
desire of a cigarette. While he was walking, he realized that there wasn't
a cigar shop on that street. So, in need of a job, he decided to open one.
Then another one and another one. Albert Edward Foreman started a
successful tobacconist business. One day, his manager, tells him that it
would be a good idea to invest his money, everything will be in his
hands, the only thing Foreman had to do is to sign a contract. But Albert
confessed that he won't be able to do that, because he didn't know how
to read or write. The manager, surprised, asks him how he could build
his empire and what would he be doing if he was literate. And Albert
says "I'd be a verger in St. Peter's, Neville Square". Maugham may also
be exploring the theme of opportunity. Rather than being downcast
about the fact that he has lost his job. Albert Edward turns his loss into
an opportunity by deciding to set up a tobacconists and newsagents.
From defeat Albert Edward manages to grasp victory and eventually
owns ten shops.
Tone: pleasant, lulling, and didactic