The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-14
ALL ABOUT A FLOOR.
HoRNSPIKER HAD SOME TROUBLE IN
GETTING 1T PAINTED.

q Mistake.
Early one morning about a week ago
Mr.. Hornspiker, who had just rented an
Office in a tall building with a clock tower
on one corner of it, went to the agent Of
the building and said to him:
''See here, Mr.. Swaddleford, the floor of
that room needs painting. Could You or
der it done right away, so can move in
there tomorrow morning9''
Eyes" replied the agent, ''IIl attend
80 it at once
Mr.. Hornspiker then took a vacation of
a day, the first one he had had for three
years.
At 9 O'Clock the next morning he went
to his office
Nothing had been done to the floor
He inquired of the janitor where the
man was who looked after the painting.
you'll find him down somewhere
about the premises. His names Hug
gins, " said the janitor, Diminishing the sub
5ect with a wave of his hand.
Mr.. Hornspiker spent half an hour
searching for Higgins. He found him at
last, taking nap in vacant room on the
basement floor.
He woke him and asked:
Didn't you get an order from Mr..
Swaddleford to paint the floor of room No.
S06 yesterday morning?''
EYES, - answered the painter. 81 gave
1t to Newcome"
who's Newcomer"
Hes the Teller that helps me. There's
more paintin here than one man can do"
II see. Where is Newcomer
81 don't know
Mr. Higgins then dropped OF to sleep
again.
An hour was spent in finding Newcome.
He was on the top floor of the building
watching some plum bers who were repair
ing the steam fixtures.
did Mr.. HIGGINS give you an order
from Mr.. Swaddleford to paint the floor
of room S06 yesterday?'' asked MIR. Horn
spiker.
Eyes, sir, - replied Newcome.
''Why didn't you do itP''
''He didn't o. K itS''
"Who didn't9''
'Huggins. 1"
docs it need Higgins o. K before
you can paint that 1Oor?''
Yes, sir. -
IF get him to put his o. K on it, can
you go at it right nOw?"
a. 1 reckon So Here it is
He handed out folded paper somewhat
soiied Mr. HOrnspiker took it and went
down to the basement again
Painter in Chief Higgins had gone
away for the day
Nothing could be DONE and Mr.. Horn
spiker took another days vacation
At O'Clock next morning he went to
the office again with blood in his eye.
Where's Huggins3'' he demanded Of
the janitor
Hasn't got here yet
He sat down at the entrance and waited
for Higgins, who came along shortly be-
fore IL O'Clock
''Newcome tells me this needs your o.
K, +" he said shortly, presenting the folded
paper
That's right" responded the painter
in chief, affixing his initials with the
stump of pencil But it's got to be ap-
proved by MIR Corgus."
''N hos Mr. CorgusP''
''He's the treasurer"
Treasurer of what?''
81 don't know All know is that he's
the treasurer, and when there any money
to be spent he's got to know beforehand
what it's for 1t saves a lot of trouble to
go and see him first
II see Where can find Mr. CorgusP"
He's in that little room over to the
left
''Well, what's to hinder me from going
in there right now and getting him to APP
prove this order?"
II don't think he'd like to be disturbed
just now"
why notP''
well. he's got so many things on his
mind"
Il see, !" rejoined Mr. Hornspiker, with
bitter irony Hes thinking, and he
muslin t be disturbed"
1t was the middle of the afternoon be-
fore the brain of Mr. Corgus had so far re-
covered from the strain consequent upon
his hard thinking as to allow himself to
be seen on business but after the matter
had been laid before him he consented to
approve the order, and, hunting out COM
paratively clean place on the paper, he
wrote his name upon it.
Armed with this amendment to the
original order, Mr. Hornspiker sought
Newcome, the assistant painter.
Say, I've been kept out of my room
long enough" he exclaimed, when he
found that gentleman. Here's that doc
ument, signed and countersigned and APP
proved, and now l want that floor painted
without any more red tape, or there's go
ing to be- troubleI'
''You want it painted red, don't your"
sleepily inquired MIR. Newcome.
THAT'S what the order calls for,
think"
''Wel, amt red tape the right kind Of
taper Hawl haw r.
''Oh, yes, hawl hawr' Moderated Mr..
Hornspiker, glazing at him. When are
you going to paint that floor? That's all
1 want to know"
Paint it right now, sir. .
Then Mr. Hornspiker went home and
called it another day s vacation.
Early next morning he appeared at the
office He found the floor of room SO6
painted, but
The assistant painter had forgotten to
put in any drying material, and the paint
was as fresh as when first smeared on.
The desperate Hornspiker had rushed
the Job through too hastily and had rat
tied the artist
He is still on vacation.
And the rent of the room goes on with
a swift, steady movement that ceases not
night or day .-Chicago Tribune.
OhawFn1 Orders.