Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-04-30
A NARROW ESCAPE.
Mr.. johnson Was Not Killed by HE
Terrible Fall.

Terrible Fall.
1t seemed certain that Mr.. johnson
had suffered severely. He had fallen
from the third story while engaged in
cleaning windows. The evening paper
said it was feared that he was injured
internally, and whenlittle George WASH
ington Johnson went up the. alley that
evening whistling cheerfully, as his
wont was, and Mrs. Mayberry called
to him from her kitchen window, she
was Mortified to learn the full extent OF
the calamity.
"Ycs'm." said George. with anlma-
zion, "pa he done broke his back"
The whistle was resumed as the little
negro replaced his cap and went on.
but Mrs. Mnyberry excused his insen-
sibility on the ground Of his youth.
Mr.. johnson, the janitor of the "Leav-
enworth," was good husband and
father, as well as sober, hard-work-
ing man, and 1t made Mrs. Mayberry
sad that he should die before his chill.
dren were able to appreciate him. And
what would the mother and the SIX
boys and girls do without him7 Mrs.
Mayberry began to plan n neighbor-
hood subscription to pay the funeral
expenses, at least, and perhaps give the
family start toward independence.
1t was still early in the following
forenoon when the maid called her to
the kitchen to receive the elaborate
courtesies of Ida Sophronia johnson.
aged II years.
PA sent me, Mis- Mayberry,p Ida
Sophronia explained. could you please
let him have some photographers or old
magazines to look at? He says it's
terrible to have to lay still and smell
carbol'c acid"
Mrs. Mayberry hastily made up an
attractive package "How is your faith.
err this morning." she asked.
81 dunno but his arms broke-too,"
Ida sophronia responded, thoughtfully..
when was at de hospital dis mornin'
dey'd strapped UP shelf thing cross
his bed, SO t he wouldn't have to hold
anything in his hand"
At that moment visitors from dis
lance arrived, and Mrs. Mayberry had
to forego the many questions she want.
ed to ask. The guests, in fact, crowded
the Johnsons completely out Of her
mind for twenty-four hours, so that
she felt n spasm of self-reproach when
one of her own children mentioned the
injured man next day.
"AIr. johnson came home from the
hospital in hack" the boy told her.
"He said they starved him there"
"Poor mani" breathed Mrs. Mayber.
ry, pityingly. II suppose he felt that
he'd rather die ut home. I must see
what l can do for them tomorrow"
So on the morrow she loaded has.
ket with things good to eat, and situa-
BILE for an invalid, and started for the
"Leavenworth," two blocks distant,
in the basement of which the janitor
and his family lived. She dreaded to
go. fearing almost that she might walk
in upon funeral service. Her appre-
hension was needless, however. Half
way between her home and the apart
ment house she met Mr.. johnson him.
self, walking almost as jauntily az
usual.
Mrs. Mayberry dropped her basket
"Why, Mr.. Johnson!" she cried. II
heard you were almost killed."
Johnson took off his cap. Eyes, ma'am,
thank We, ma'am, All was mos killed, =,
he said. "Ah got shook up powahful.
Jes' missed iron fence, too. All reck-'
on If Aid hit dat 1t would a busted
me scandlous. But All didn't hit II, no,
ma'am. All done lit ON nah haid In
de yahd."