Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-08-08
O-O-O-O-OO coo OoO-C
YTHE SQUARENESS OF
B jim GRIGSBY. !
BY w. r. ROSE.
o-ooooooo-o-oooo


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 a paper.
Good mornin. sir" said the wcazen
faced hoy who stood behind the counter.
He was a lame boy. Jim Grigsby no.
ticcd. II you've got any typewritin or
shorthand 10 do. 20 to Miss Merriam,
ninth aoor"
Friend Of yours?" inquired Jim GrigJ-
hy in bis brusque way.
Friend OF every body's," replied the
lame boy.
Good Endorsement" said Jim Grigsby
y few days later he had some specif-
cations TO typcwrjtc. Ordinarily he
would have gone 10 man aud had the
work done. lie wasn't used to women.
lie wasn't quite sure that he approved
Il women doing work of public nature.
Tut that morning the lnme boy had called
ia him. Don't forget Miss Merriam
He came down one story~he was on
the tenth iloor-and sought Miss Mcrri-
ans room. He found IL without trouble.
Her name was on the door with the
names OF two other women. One was n
sienograrhrr aud one an expert account
ant. Jim hesltated little: then he
turned the knob and entered.
Miss Merriam WAS n neat little woman
with remarkably tine gray eyes. She
wasn't particularly young. 80 Mt least.
Jim concluded. aud she was strictly bust
nesslike. She booked the work over aud
told him when il would be done.
Scarcely a day passed thereafter that
he didn't find occasion TO make use OF
her niinble fingers.
A very queer. n 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 ut her floor. and Jim
Grigsby. with IA bow. took of his hat.
Then there WIS jerk. grinding
crash. a 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 I'M
der them the woman felt strong arm
pass quickly abou; 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
peued?'
We 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 hoy?" 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 un-
conscious lad beside her.
He seems to be bleeding from a cut
on his head" said Jim. DO you mind
thatf"
"Oh. no." she answered quickly. "Poor
boy"
1--WE must have light" cried jim
Why doesn't somebody Gomez"
Hello. hello there" came a muf.led
voice from above.
Yes" shouted Jim.
Who is there?"
Miss Merriam. Mr.. Grigsby and the
hAv- l.
light. l think you can get an incandes-
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
that Is possible. Keep mp your courage"
IAN right" 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-
man in ten thousand.
flows the boyT"
Hes warm and breathing easily" As
she spoke a CLEAN of light struck the
white, freproof wall at the car front 1t
was the incandescent bulb. Jim careful
ly drew II through the wire meshes. "All
rightw he called. lie 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
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 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 10 know lust what to do"