The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-12-18
EDDIE'S CHARGE.
BY HARRIET q. COX.

There was no prouder boy in the
city Of Boston than Eddie Markham.
| Tor a whole week he had been in
charge of the elevator, and that to Ed
dies mind was almost as important a
position as chief of the FIRE depart
nent, an Office that he considered far
ahead Of all others, even the governor
chip Of the state.
10 be sure, the elevator was used only
10 carry the big bales of cotton
md what other merchandise needed
transporting in the big wholesale house,
and it was at best a rough, clumsy
affair, moving slowly and with jerks.
But then. II was an elevator. and
this covered multitude of shortcom
irgs
To lie able TO feel that he, Eddie
Markham, had IL in his power to move
the elevator up or down, to assist the
men load and unload il, was the keen
est satisfaction.
or course il wasn't as ornamental as
wearing rass-buttoned uniform and
managing one of the swift-moving cush-
toned affairs in the big dry goods
stores; but 1t was really Of great inn
portance. Eddie argued.
He looked back with scorn Mt the
work he had previously done-crrands
o. all kinds-though he had liked the
mailing of the lettcrs; there were always
SO many of them; and this showed con-
clusively TINT the firm WIS busy one;
md he had been proud TO stand at the
letter box on the busiest corner Of the
wholesale district, and drop them in,
one letter at n time, till the big pile had
vanished. But that was before he had
tcen elevated" as Bascome said.
Bascom was fond of making puns,
ind he and Eddie had had great fun
ever this one and had tried II on near
" every one i'm the big building, the
tgo members of the firm excepted, of
course. though Eddie was meditating on
irving IL on the senior partner. for. rs
he said TO Bascome: Hes got lot o
fur in him. Mr.. Wetherbee has; you
Gan see it in the twinkle Of his eye, and
h. amt near so stuck-up as Knowlton
Is. Why the very way he calls Eddie
Is different. and he smiles and says
thank YOU: but Knowlton don't seem TO
know you've done the GRAND. If you
have If you haven't he knows it
mighty we'll"
Eddie evidently spoke from expert
cncc Eddie was thinking Of this now,
as he threw out the last bundle, and
started on another trip down.
Mr. Wetherbee had been unusually
smiling that morning. and had worn
il his buttonhole deep red carnation;
and the Office had received an extra
busting. Something must be up.
Boss wants YOU" voice suddenly
shouted down the elevator well.
Eddie gave the rope n rull. Involun-
tarly his hand went to his hair, and nc
wondered II that last scrapple with the
Janitor had disarranged 1t. A pull al
his necktie and hasty slap at his
trousers, which showed signs of recent
contact with the dusty floor. and the
elevator stopped at the Office floor.
The two partners were standing just
outside the Office talking with some
ladies'. A little girl hung on Mr.. Vcth
erbee's hand.
we want to go over the building
Eddie" he remarked. pleasantly; "ant
Think wei go up in the elevator. You
can clean 1t bit, / SUPPOSE as his
eyes took in the litter on the floor.
II was the work OF a moment 3,
sweep the paper and bits of cotton ant
straw from the elevator, and TO start i
upward
First they went to the very top. and
out on the roof, which commanded {
me view of the harbor. on the on'
sldc, and Of the busy city on the other
men they examined the big bales o
cotton, and the child asked numbcrles.
questions, as 20 where il grew and how
y grew. and how IL ever rot to IL
sresses, etc. until, finally. Mr.. Wcthcr
zee put her into Eddic's care. with th'
Injunction not TO kill himself trying I,
answer her questions IL he didn't wan
ladies'.
nut Eddie found his task very pleas
~. one. AZ first the child had locke,
snhn rravely. then. as II satisfied, In,
~ out her tiny hands and asked to b
~ up on the big bales.
way. way up!" she entreated. An,