Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1900-09-25
To the Twelfth Floor.


90 HE Atlantis was not a large
building. 1t was tall and very
e narrow, and contained but forty
business tenants all told. Among the
occupants was George Francis Garvin,
whose bright new door sign appeared
facing the solitary elevator shaft on the
eleventh floor. If Mr.. Garvin's sign
could be believed, he was broker, but
there was little proof of the fact beside
the sign. His office furniture and rugs
We're painfully new, his new typewriter
had scarcely been out of its metal COW
ering and the handsome file cases about
his desk were as empty as when they
left the cabinet-maker.
The fact is, George Francis Garvin,
aged 26, had just settled down to busi-
ness, and was now in the expectant and
receptive stage. He was not looking
for business with any great amount OF
zeal, but his door was open and he was
on hand, prepared to answer all de-
mands.
This particular morning he reached
the Atlantis bright and early.
"Good-mornin', sir!' said Jamie
Doyle. the elevator boy, as George step
ped into the waiting car.
.Good-morning, jamie" said the
broker in his pleasant voice. He had a
wonderful way with him with children
and dogs, and something in his tones
encouraged Jamie.
Were havin' a lot of trouble at
home SIR" he said. Fathers off again,
an was lookin' for him half the night.
I'd be lookin' for him now if it wasn't
for losin' me job. Th' longer he stays
away the worse he gets. An moth
er's sick abed, an Katie's just gettin'
over a fever" He ended his dismal
: statement with little sniff:
THAT'S bad" said George Garvin.
''can't you find a substitute?"
No." replied the boy. Il wouldn't
dare to. Mr.. Abbott's down on me
. now for bein' twice late on fathers ac-
count. If he saw strange boy here
in my place he'd fire me sure"
They had reached the eleventh floor.
Here" said George, Il guess I'll go
down with you again" He looked at
the boy as they descended. He was a
neat boy and a clean one. He was
pale and haggard this morning and his
eyes were red, and his hands trembled.
"How long do you think it will take
you to find your estimable parent!"
George asked. =<-.
mo time at ALL" said the boy eagerly
"There amt but a few more places to
look"
go and look for him." said George;
'I'll take your place."
"Youl" cried the boy. "But Mr.. Alb
bott?''
"I'll attend to him too," said George.
"Don't worry about that. Run along"
Are you sure YOU know how!"
queried the boy, anxiously.
'Quite sure" said George.
1t wasn't difficult to run the Atlantis
elevator. You waited just two minutes
by the big clock over the entrance, on
the ground floor, and then made the
ascent to the twelfth floor. At the
twelfth you made no wait, but at once
returned. George knew the time table
and handled the car skillfully.
When the tenants began to come in
he eXerted himself to catch the direc-
tions they gave him. They started hard
at the perfectly dressed young man,
but he was a newcomer and nobody
seemed to know him. When he de-
scended to the ground floor he found
the agent of the building waiting to
take the upward journey. The agent
started at him.
"How's thisT' he asked. "Where's
the boy?"
Cant say, I'm sure" replied George
with much calmness. "He was called
away by sudden domestic affiiction.
Going upT" +
The agent stepped into the car and
the iron door clicked behind him. He
was short man and quite stout, and
he had a red face. His face grew red
der as he stared at George.
See here" he said, 'this won't do.
You are Mr.. Garvin, aren't you?'
Twelfth foor," said George; "aIl
out. He looked hard at the pompous
little agent. 'Going downT' he asked,
and pulled the descending rope
MIR. Garvin," said the agent, "you
ought to understand that we can't have
our employees interfered with in this
manner. You are evidently trying to
shield the boy. 1t won't do. 1 told him
that the next time he absented himself
from his post he would be discharged
without further notice. By your ILL
considered action you have simply
helped to deprive him Of his position"
j Ground floor" announced George;
"all out" He unlatched the iron door
and pushed it open. "Going up?" he
asked, as he turned and glanced at the
agent. .-.--
MIR Garvin," said the latter, with
dramatic earnestness, 81 must request
you to leave this building when your
month is up. 1 will gladly refund the
rent you have advanced If you will
leave at once.
Couldn't think of it." said George.
.Not even to oblige you, Mr.. Abbott.
No, mean to stay-and the boy will
stay, too. Twelfth floor. Going down"