Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-08-17
No More for the JanitOr

for the world say anything against her
AS for that maid of hers, she's be-
meath my notice. But Tuesday is my
/ day in the laundry, and | propose to
have 1t.
las for the drying room, III not
take that small handbook affair. /
want that large one next to the stair
way" The speaker was an occupant
CT a fashionable apartment in the East
! end.
In a moment Mrs Van Arden ap-
| peared. Mr.. Johnson, don't under
stand why there should be any ques-
ticn about whose day this is in the
/ laundry. 1t is mine, of course, and
shall expect you to see that my rights
t are respected. | have nothing against
/ Mrs. Seabury. She is a very sweet
! woman, but that maid and washer
| woman of hers are both horrid, imper-
i tinent creatures and | shall instruct
| my servants to stand for their rights.
! But" said the ianitor, las far as
the drying rooms are concerned, they
are all exactly the same size. AS for
| choosing Tuesday for your day, Mrs,
| Seatury, I can hardly grant that, as
Mrs. Van Arden has been tenant
longer and that mas always been her
day"
Il can't help that, Johnson; my laun-
dress has worked tor me for the past
five years and Tuesday is her day,
and I'll not change 1t. This is the
most accommodating place l was
alrar In With fhic oh ho
sailed away with her head in the air
and steel-trap expression on her
mouth.
The janitor stuck his hands in his
pockets and gave low whistle.
What's a Teller to do with these
pesky women, anyway? | know one
tbing-this is positively my last ap-
pearance in this role. III heave coal
before I'll take another fiat job Same
old story every week. I'll bet 1t won't
be five minutes before those two girls
will be down here with their clothes,
siatherin' each other all over with hot
scapsuds and hotter cuss words. And
III have to risk my neck separatin'
them. Won't l be fine specimen"
Five minutes elapsed. The elevator
descended and two maids, followed by
their respective laundresses, appeared,
each bearing huge basket Of clothes.
Each had fire in her eye as they made
for the same set of tubs. The red
headed one proved little quicker, and
IN moment she had the water turned
on and part of the clothes dumped In
But possession wasn't nine points OF
the law in this case. The black haired
washer LADY, with the snub nose was
not to be daunted in this manner.
Get out of my tubs, you cheeky, red
headed meddler!" With this remark she
made dive for the wet Clothes and be-
gan throwing them on the floor. The
reo-headed laundress flushed to the
rootr of her hair and she quickly
brought dripping pillowcase into play
across her rivals snub nose. The two
maids instantly Joined in the melee,
and the air was filed with flying soap,
clothes sticks and bluing.
In a few moments ammunition was
exhausted and a dead clinch resulted,
the janitor struggling manfully to sep
aratesthe combatants. Garments gave
way and the storming, suffering mass
OF women surged about the floor until
they were exhausted. Then the janitor
succeeded in getting between the ex-
cited pairs and while the perspiration
stood upon his face he began a speech
that was intended to be pacifying to
both sides.
Just then the mistresses appeared
to see If their orders were being car,
ried out.
Shut up, you interferin' Old thing
II the landlord would get a janitor
that knew his place my mistress
wouldn't be bein imposed upon by the
likes OF these" said Mrs. Van Arden's
maid as she pointed scornfully to the
Seabury contingent
The Seabury maid flew to the middle
CT the floor again screaming: None OF
your impudence, you cheap John"
IF you put as much solid silver on
your table every day as | do you
wouldn't have to spend your time
hintin' at how much bigger you are
than your betters."
Mrs. Van Arden eyed Mrs. Seabury
marks to the poor, detected ianitor.
Mr. Johnson, 1 don't understand this
at all"
Mrs. Seabury interfered, with her
head high in the air. johnson, /
stated distinctly that this was to be my
day. l don't pay SIS a month to be die
tated to by persons living in five
rooms"
The maids glared at each other and
their mistresses glared at the jan
itor.
Ladies. I'm very sorry, but l have
my orders, The tensnts that have been
here the longest have the right of
cEoice in the laundry, and this is Mrs
Van Arden's day
1T is evident that you have no
sense of justice Moreover. you will
pay the damages tor these ruined
clothes, and | shall see the landlord at
once said the vanquished one.
Both women swept toward the eleva-
tor, Mrs Van Arden entering first