The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-09-21
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pTHE SQUARENESS OFf
) jim GRIGSBY. I
BY w. r. ROSE.
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900 10000 900
Jim Grigsby was making an improve
ment for mining machinery and needed
an office, so he took one in a skyscraper.
The day he took possession he stopped
at the news and cigar stand in the lobby
and bought paper.
Good mornin, sir" said the weazen
faced boy who stood behind the counter.
He was a lame boy, Jim Grigsby mo-
ticed. eff you've got any typewritin or
shorthand to do, go to Miss Merriam,
ninth floor"
friend Of yonrss" inquired Jim Grigs-
by in his brusque way.
Friend Of everybody's," replied the
lame boy.
"Good Endorsement" said Jim Grigsby.
A few days later he had some speci6-
cations to typewrite. Ordinarily he
would have gone to a man and had the
work done. He wasn't used to women.
He wasn't quite sure that he approved
of women doing work of public nature.
But that morning the lame boy had called
to him, Don't forget Miss Merriam"
He came down one story-he was on
the tenth hoor-and sought Miss Merri-
ans room. He found it without trouble.
Her name was on the door with the
names of two other women. One was a
stenographer and one an expert account
ant. Jim hesitated a little; then he
turned the knob and entered.
Miss Merriam was a neat little woman
with remarkably fine gray eyes. She
wasn't particularly young. 30 at least,
Jim concluded, and she was strictly bust
nesslike. She looked the work over and
told him when it would be done.
Scarcely q day passed thereafter that
he didn't find occasion to make use of
her nimble fingers.
A very queer, a very unusual, struggle
was going on beneath the inside breast
pocket of Mr.. Jim Grigsby's sack coat.
One afternoon he had detained her a
little longer than the usual hour of quit
ting, and when the work was finished he
dashed up stairs with it, locked his door
quickly and caught one of the elevators
going down. He meant to ride down
with her; perhaps walk with her to the
turnstile exit doors. Sure enough, she
stepped on board at her floor, and Jim
Grigsby, with bow, took off his hat.
Then there was a jerk, grinding
crash, shrek from the boy, something
fell heavily on the roof of the car, the
lights went out, they were falling, fall
ing, then with horrid jerk they stopped.
The air was full of dust. They were in
almost total darkness.
As the car floor seemed to slip from un-
der them the woman felt a strong arm
pass quickly about her waist, and with q
natural desire to grasp something help
full she caught and held fast to the mans
stout shoulder. When the car stopped,
he slowly withdrew his arm.
Are you all right?" he gently asked.
YES" she answered. What has hap
pened?"
Eve seem to have fallen and stuck be-
tween floors." he answered. "Sit down
on the seat and don't worry. They'll
soon get us out"
"Where is the boy?" she asked.
"I'm trying to locate him." he an
swered. I'm afraid he's hurt. Here he
is" There was a little pause. Hes
alive"
Here" she quickly said, place him
on the seat and let me hold his head on
my lap"
A moment later Jim softly laid the IN
conscious lad beside her.
HE seems to be bleedingefrom a cut
on his head" said Jim. do you mind
that?"
"Oh. no." she answered quickly. "Poor
boyr'
I'VE must have a light" cried Jim.
"Why doesn't somebody Gomez"
"Hello. hello there" came a muffied
voice from above.
YES" shouted Jim.
"Who is there?'
miss Merriam, Mr.. Grigsby and the
boy. The boy is hurt. Send down a
light. think you can get an incandes
cent through the opening. A fiat bottle
Of brandy too. Hurry"
eyes, yes. But. say. don't move
around. The cable has broken and fallen
on the car roof. The car has caught in
the safety clutches on one side only. \
slight jar would send it to the bottom.
We have sent for men and are doing all
that is possible. Keep up your courage"
"All rightw cried Jim. with steady
voice. He turned to the girl in the dark
ness. You heard" he said.
Yes" she answered quietly.
Jim softly whistled. Here was a wo-
nan in ten thousand.
"How's the boy?"
"He's warm and breathing easily" As
she spoke a CLEAN of light struck the
white. tireproof wall at the car front. 1t
was the incandescent bulb. Jim careful
~ drew it through the wire meshes. "AlI
right" he called. He took the light
across the car and hung it above the
lads head; then he went down on his
knees and pushed aside the matted hair.
"a nasty cut" he said and deity
bandaged it with strips of his handker-
chief. Over all he tied the neck scarf
Jane quickly handed him. Something
clicked against the wall. 1t was the bot
tie of brandy. Jim forced a few drops
between the boys lips. He put his hand
over his heart: then he took off his coat
and laid it over him.
"You seem to know just what to do"
said Jane Merriam.
"We learn a good many useful things
on the plains," said Jim.
"Hello, below therc"' came the muf-
fed voice. MIR. Grigsby."
YES" cried Jim. What is it?''
Don't get discouraged. We are doing
our best to make you safe. 1t may take
some time. Perhaps it would be better
to keep as quiet as possible. Somebody
will be here on guard. If you want any
thing, call out"
Il understand" said Jim. when you
are ready TO take us out, have n carriage
for the lady and an ambulance and
stretcher for the boy"
eyes, yes; everything will be looked
AFTER
For Miss Merriam" shrilled a boys
voice. Something attached to a string
bobbed i'll front of the cage. Jim drew
II in. 1t was little bunch of flowers.
He handed it to the girl.
THAT was Joe's voice." she said. Joe,
as Jim remer bered, was the lame boy.
Then Jim lowered his six feet of stat
ure to the floor beside the girl and sat at
her feet.
1--WE might as well make ourselves
comfortable" he said. 81 fancy we are
in for quite a siege of it."
The boy moaned and feebIy tossed, but
the girls soothing hand quieted him.
A dull clang, clang, from a distant
gong reached them in the silence.
Must be calling out the fire depart
ment." said Jim Grigsby. I'VE are evil
IDENTIFY creating quite n sensation"
Il don't like that" said the girl.
at will all be an old story in day or
two" he laughed.
How can you laugh% she asked.
"Why notY he asked. Its all 1 can
do. II there was anything else,
shouldn't be lounging here. wish
could make you more comfortable. I'm
afraid l seem to you little hardened
and thoughtless, but it's all the fault Of
my early experiences. I've gone through
something like this before. ! WAS once
lockel up in a mine for six hungry days.
Do you mind having me talk%
I'm glad to hear you." she said sim
ply.