Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-20

olner IMAM a blessing. BUT When the
cold did come there was sudden r~ealiza-
ton of how little the ornamental appear
ance of the radiator compensated for it's
inability to adiat hea Cold 1T stood
In the corner: it had made uncanny
noises; 1t had diffused a few whiffs or
stale air; it had Leaked a cupful of water
on the carpet. There it's energies appar-
emily ceased: it radiated no heat, for it
had none to radiate. 1t was clearly a
case for an interview with the janitor
and for the filing of a protest. Strange
to relate, he was found in his subter-
ranean post. Stranger still, he was at
fable and almost human.
Il know what you came down here
after" he said, without waiting for the
attack to begin. II know. You are go
ing to kick because there amt any steam.
Quite right; l would in your place. But
you see just how this old machine is"
Then followed a much involved and tech
meal description of the faults Of the APP
paratus in which there were only two
clear things; that it could be remedied
by putting in new gaskets, whatever they
may be, and the other that by rights the
owner ought to send a plumber to do it
instead of leaving such repairs to a jani-
tor. However" he continued, I'm go
ing to do the best I can for the tenants.
and n way it's better to be put to a
day than maybe to ave a wait of a
week or perhaps two while the plumbers
are making up their minds about the
job. I'll patch it up somehow"
OF course, it was just as cold as be-
fore; there could be no heat while the
5anitor had the machine dismembered
IN the cellar n with it's fires drawn:
but it was more tolerable in view of the
knowledge that the janitor was hard at
work about the repairs. In the course
OF time there were renewed gurglings in
the pipes; there was a repetition of the
escape of stale air and dirty water; it was
manifest that the apparatus was sup
posed to be at work. The janitor came
up he felt the radiator with that ging-
erly touch as of one expecting to find the
metal too hot for comfort: his start OF
surprise, swiftly followed by an express
sion of deep regret, should be taught in
the dramatic schools. He urged another
trip to the cellar for personal inspection
of his work. There was the CLEAN of
blazing fire in it's appropriate place;
the sensitive needle in the gauge was
quivering its record of the number Of
pounds of steam; the explanations of the
janitOr set forth more facts about the
gaskets. 1t never did become clear about
those baskets. but a casual glance showed
that the steam gauge had been freshly
polished, and that a coat of gilt paint
had been applied to the safety valve.
The supply of steam heat was no better
than before, but the ~janitor had proved
that he was doing his best, that any
1uItIIeI COIlpldlllS HluSL Do IudU0 " NU~
agent, combined with the statement that
the complainant had seen the janitor
! conducting all the repairs in his unpro-
fessiOnal power. h
The genius which can "stand off" a
houseful Of freezing tenants and save
himself from every bit of blame by mere
ly gliding a safety valve Is wasted in
fiat administrations; the higher walks Of
diplomacy are crying for just such tall
ent. He should be ambassador or min-
lister at the least.