Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-04-10
SQ|nTeDeSS Of jim GriQSby.


academy, but it had not soured the
sweetness Of his nature. He was as
rough as burr, but ne had the heart Of
4 boy.
He came to Cleveland to be near the
concern that was making the patterns for
an improvement in mining machinery Of
his own designing. He secured an office
room in one Of the big skyscrapers and
passed much time over his drawings.
The day he took possession of his Of
fee he stopped at the news and cigar
stand in the lobby and bought paper.
Good morning, SIR" said the weazen-
faced boy who stood behind the coun-
ter. He was a lame boy, Jim Grigsby
noticed. If you've got any typewritin
or shorthand to do go TO Miss Merriam
ninth floor"
Friend of yours?" inquired Jim
Grigsby.
Friend Of eyerybody's," replied the
lame boy.
Good Endorsement said Jim Grigsby.
A few days later he had some specit-
cations to typewrite. Ordinarily he
would have gone to a man and had the
work done. He wasn't used to women,
but he went down to Miss Merriam's Of
nee with MS manuscript.
She was a neat little woman with re-
markably-fne gray eyes. She wasn't par
ticularly young, 30 at least, jim cOnclud-
ed, and she was strictly businesslike. She
looked the work over, told him when it
would be done. and as he turned 20 go
she named the price.
I'm advanceT asked Jim, as he FUN
bled in a pocket.
''Oh, no, not in advance" she said,
''but I find it better to have a clear I'M
derstanding of the price before the work
is begun" The price she named seemed
extremely reasonable and Jim Grigsby
went away well pleased with her man
like directneSS.
Perhaps it wasn't strange that he had
more work for her in couple OF days.
In fact, scarcely day passed thereafter
that he didn't find occasion to make use
of her nimble fingers. She was a re-
markable type of womankind, he assured
himself. He knew very little about
women, and had no wish to know more
until he met Jane Merriam. And yet
business one. Jim Grigsby, bold as
brass in the presence of his own sex,
natural leader of men, was timid and
shy. in his dealings with this neat fairy
white fingers. He softened his voice
when he spoke to her. he took infinite
pains to smooth down his somewhat-wiry
locks when he sought her DOOR
One afternoon he had detained her
longer than the usual hour of quitting.
and when the work was finished he
dashed upstairs 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
door. Sure enough she stepped on board
at her floor. 1t was little late and
they were the only passengers on the car.
jim looked around at his fellow tray
e:er with cautious yet determined air
lie meant to speak to her. He would
mention the weather. and that might lead
to something else. She opened her lips,
and then
And then there was a jerk, a grinding
crash, a shrek from the boy. something
fell heavily on the roof of the car, the
lights went out, they were falling, falling
then with a horrid jerk they stopped
The air was full of dust. They were in
almost total darkness.
AS the car floor seemed to slip from
under them the woman felt a strong arm
pass quickly about her waist, and with a
natural desire to grasp something help
full, she caught and held fast to the mans
firm shoulder. When the car stopped he
slowly withdrew his arm.
Are you all rlghtE' he gently asked.
Yes she answered. What has hap
pened?"
I'VE seem to have fallen and struck be-
tween foors," he answered. ''Sit down
en- the seat and don't worry. They'll
soon get us out
1t was a short winter day. and already
dark outs. de- 1t was still darker in the
car.
Where is the boy?" she asked
I'm tryin to locate him." he an
swered. I'm afraid he's hurt. Here he
is
Here" she quickly said, ''place him on
the seat and let me hold his head on my
lap"
,,o,oo,,+ Io+or TN, eof+l1 Ia:1 +bo nm
conscious lad beside her.
He seems to be bleeding from a cut
on his head said Jim. do you mind
that?'
"Oh, no." she answered quickly.
''Poor boy
I'VE must have a light" cried Jim.
'Why doesn't somebody Gomez
''Hullo, hulo. there!' came a muff1ed
voice from above.
Yes shouted jim.
''Who is tnereT'
''Miss Merriam, Mr.. Grigsby and the
boy The boy is hurt. Send down Il
light | think you can get an inc2ndes-
cent through the opening. a fiat bottle
OF brandy. too. Hurry"
Yes. 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. A
slight jar would send it to the bottom.
We have sent for men and are doing all
tnat Is possible. Keep up your couf-
age
''All right" cried jim. with a steady
voice. He turned to the girl, in the
darkness. You heard?" he said.
yes" she answered quietly.
Jim whistled softly. Here was a won-
an in ten thousand
"How's the boy?"
Hes breathing easily" AS she spoke
a CLEAN of light struck the wall at the
car front. 1t was the incandescent bulb.
Jim carefully drew it through the wire
meshes All 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 deftly ban
daged it with strips of his handkerchief.
Something clicked against the wall 1t
was the bottle Of brandy. jim forced
few drops between the boys lips Then
he took off his coat and laid it over him.
''You seem to know just what to do,
said Jane Merriam.
eve learn good many useful things
on the plains" said Jim.