Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-04-15
HE KEPT IT CLEAN.

Louise Chandler Moulton in New York Trib-
une.
HE KEPT IT CLEAN.
None Of us associated with him in the
Office felt that we had any right to say
anything to him about It. It was his
right and privilege to wear what he
pleased. As long as it suited him, why
should we concern ourselves in the mat
ter?
Truth is he was becoming more and
more genteelly shabby every day, but
the careful way in which his shiny coat
and frayed trousers were brushed and
cared for was evidence that it was not
wanton carelessness Of his appearance
that made him go so shabby. It occurred
one day that the weather was exceedingly
cold. A regular blizzard was raging,
and only those whose business compelled
them to be out ventured on the street at
all. It was one Of Jacks duties as cash
Ter to 60 to the bank each day, and
when the time came for him to make
his regular trip and he slipped on his
light overcoat and started out the head
bookkeeper interrupted him:
II say, Jack, you are not going out
in that light coat? Why, man, the very
marrow in your bones will freeze"
''Oh, nonsense, old man. I always &c
this way-dressed warm inside, you
mow-prefer 1t that way-not 50 bulky
and clumsy, you know"
And out he went. That night after
most of the Office force had gone Mike,
the Office boy, Aad to relieve his mind.
II don't think Mr.. Jack il dressed warm
inside ct all I saw him roll up his
sleeves to wash his hands today, and he
only had on thin cotton undershirt. ]
think he's dead close wild his money,
and some day he will be ownin this in
stitootion.
But we all knew better than this.
Jack was in trouble Why didn't he let
Us know what it was? Not man In the
Office from the manager down to the
Office boy that would not have extended
helping hand to him, for we all loved
him. He was sterling fellow, always
ready to divide on the thirds principle
you take two-thirds and he one He had
formerly been the Beau Brummel Of the
Office, and what the change was that
had come over him was worrying us all.
It was finally decided that we would
breach the matter to him in delicate
manner. The head bookkeeper being a
man of great tact and delicate percep-
ton, to him was delegated the task. It
was some time before the opportunity
presented itself. Spring had even open
ed, and Jacks shiny coat and frayed
trousers looked the more shabby In COM
parison with the bright new spring suits
around him. 81 never saw clothes SO
cheap" said one Of the Junior clerks.
My tailor put this up for $40, and I
declare it's quite respectable looking
quite the same thing that used to pay
$50 for TWAS just here that some
thing peculiar happened A big bottle
of red ink standing on the desk near the
register had evidently become overhead
ed, and, being corked tight, there was
nothing for it to do but explode, which
it did with loud report. Unfortunate
ly, just behind it on the wall were hang
ing all our coats and hats. Poor Jacks
shiny coat was despatched from collar
to tail Poor fellowl He looked dismay-
ed4
We felt sure that next morning we
would see Jack again dressed as befitted
a man of his position. But we were dis
appointed. The next morning he came
down with the same old coat. The spots
gave evidence Of having been carefully
scrubbed, leaving dirty white spots on
the shiny black cloth.
81 say, jack" said the head book
keeper, really. you are growing care
less Of your personal appearance
"Why, how SO, old manP shave my
self with scrupulous regularity every
morning. 1 really didn't know was
looking SO unfit"
It's not that, Jack. I-er-oh, hang
it, don't you see that your clothes are
kinder runnin to seed? You need a new
outfit, old man. Your tailor will
starve''
II believe you are right, Harry. Fact
is, an old suit is so comfortable, you
know; kinder conforms to ones curves
and angles. Really, feel like am dis
carding an old friend when give up an
old suit; but must see my tailor. It
will never do to offend the artistic eve
Of my friends I thank you, old man,
for calling my attention to it. Really,
q fellow can't see how his own clothes
hang"
Mike the office boy had a great story
to tell the next morning "What wuz
Mr.. Jack doin UP in the secondhand
district last night? He's out O. place
up dere. Me an Skinny Walsh was goin
along, an I sees Mr.. Jack goin into one
o. dem secondhand Sheeney stores.
'Geminy, I says to Skinny, 'dat's cur
cashier. He makes more as 200 cases a |
mont. What's he doin in that j'int?' |
peeks tru' de window, an see him bar
gain wi de Shylock for cheap suit O. |
store clothes I cud see him hand over
> SO bill, an he got change back. |
Christmas l says to Skinny, but dat's |
funny. He cud buy hull tailor shop if |
he wanted to- l guess OATS de way desc
yesers gets rich. Let's begin, Skinny. >"
A few mornings after Jack came down
with his new suit on The trousers were
creased, and the coat was worn
outtoned closely around his rather st!,-
etic form. But it tcok only a casual
glance to see that the goods were Of the
heapest and had never seen a tailor
hop.
All, Jack, you are quite artistic this
norning" said the head bookkeeper.
Do you still go to the Fifth avenue
ailors? | remember you always said
here were no other tailors in the city.
Jack did not reply. He could not tell
wlllful falsehcod; but, taking off the
Oat he ta1J1,cd hocE tl,o col.,x o,,d ~, |