The citizen., 1901-02-22
10000 c. coo 900 Go
I THE SQUARENESS OF
. jim GRIGSBY. }
BY w. r. ROSE.
CO @ G 600 ooGo I,

c-S-c-co coo 9 g . 8 100
Jim Grissby 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 no
ticed. "lf you've got any typewritin or
shorthand to do, go to Miss Merriam,
ninth floor"
Friend of yours ?" inquired Jim Grigs-
by in his brusque way.
Friend of everybody's," replied the
lame boy.
Good Endorsement" said Jim Grigsby.
few days later he had some speciti-
cations to typewrite. Ordinarily he
would have gone to 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 a public nature.
But that morning the lame boy had called
He came down one Story-he was on
the tenth tloor-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
IL 4.
wasn't particularly young, 80 at least,
Jim concluded, and she was strictly bust
nesslike. She looked the work over and
told him when it would be done
Scarcely a day passed thereafter that
he didn't find occasion to make use of
her niInble fingers.
very queer, 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 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, fail
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
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? 2" he gently asked
Yes" she answered. "What has hap
pened?"
1--WE seem to have fallen and stuck be-
tween loors," he answered "Sit down
on the seat and don't worry. They'll
soon get us out"
"Where is the boy?" she asked.
"Im 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
that?"
"Oh, no." she answered quickly. "Poor
boyw
I'VE must have light" cried jim.
"Why doesn't somebody come"
l,II m
voice from above.
"Yes!" shouted Jim.
"Who is thereY'
"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 A
slight jar would send it to the bottom.
We have sent for men and are doing all
that is possible. Keep up your courage"
"Al right cried Jim. with a steady
voice. He turned to the girl in the dark
ness. You heard" he said.
"Yes," she answered quietly
Jim softly whistled Here was wo-
man in ten thousand.
"How's the boy?"
"Hes warm and breathing easily" AS
she spoke CLEAN of light struck the
white, freproof wall at the car front. 1t
was the ncandescent bulb. Jim careful
" 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 dcftly
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 ii over him.
"You seem to know just what to do"
said Jane Merriam.
"NVe learn a good many useful things
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