Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02
SHE MADE HIM
MOP THE STEPS
SEQUEL OF A LITTLE TIME At
THE BEACH
His Friend Was "sek," and the
Husky LsndIady Was Irste,
and There You
Are
Special to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
LONG BEACH, Sept. 1.--About mid
night last night the proprietor OF one
of the local hostelries rolled out of bed.
slipped on tiptoe into the hall and
gazed down the front stairs. He had
heard the voice Of his estlma bic spouse
rising upon the Silly air and, sure
enough, there she was down on the
front steps leading to the sidewalk.
A young man with a mop was indus
trlously washing away at one of the
steps, while on the outer edge of the
sidewalk sat another young fellow,
his face in his hands and his form
shivering slightly.
"W-what in the world are you doing
down there2" called the surprised hus-
band, just loudly enough SO that his
wife could hear.
Doing something you couldn't do,
all right" was the satisfying reply.
I'll tell you after awhile. Go back
to bed"
When he heard the story few min
utes later. he looked at her with a
certain wonder and not little pride,
which, unfortunately she could not de-
tect in the darkness, and remarked,
II guess so!'
Mrs. Proprietress had been standing
at the desk, glancing over the names
of the latest arrivals, when a Johnny
in fresh summer togs walked into the
office with a determined air and asked
for a room for himself and a gentle
man friend.
Where's your friend?' he was
asked.
"oh, he's waiting outside" said the
calow youth airily.
The woman, not so awfully old, but
still not born yesterday" looked
straight at him as she put the query:
Drunk, isn't he?"
"W-why, mol" exclaimed the John
ny, with a. stimulation of great sur
prise. The woman looked toward the
door, as much as to say, "Well, If he
isn't drunk, why doesn't he come in?"
and the youth went on
Johnny Was Comparatively Sober
HE isn't intoxicated at all. Really,
he isn't. But he is little sick, though.
He ate some fruit that poisoned him,
guess. That made him a little sick,
but that's all that's the matter with
him."
well, bring him in," said the pro-
prietress, "I'll take your word for it
that's he all right and give you a
ROOM"
A moment later the young man
again entered the door, arm in arm
with a youth of probably just q few
less years than himself. AS they
walked across the hall together the
one under suspicion got on nicely and
but for the fact that he was somewhat
haggard did not appear to be under
the influence of spirituous liquids.
Follow me-" commanded the woman
and started tripping up the stairs lead
ing to the next floor. AS she neared
the middle of the flight she stopped
and looked behind her.
She saw the doubtful individual
clinging to the balustrade with both
hands. He. was just ready, apparent
ly to topple over. Suddenly he turned
and stumbled down the stairway
upon the piazza. But it was too late!
With only half smothered cry Of
vexation the hotel woman took note of
what occurred But she kept her wits
about her.
SAY, you," she cried to the unhap-
py youth who had approached her for
lodgings, you just wait here till l get
back, will you?" and she disappeared
down the hall.
up again from the mysterious regions
lin the rear. In one hand she carried
a bucket of water In the other was
an old-fashioned mop, on the clum-
sy but effectual type.
The bucket she set down upon a
step. The mop she leaned against the
wall.
Now, young man, proceed to get
busy" she ordered, as she squared off
like the Sycamore Cyclone" You
caused this state of affairs and you can
now have the fun of cleaning up Of
take beating"
The individual who had lied to her
looked at the woman. then gazed at
the defiled steps moment or two,
mournful smile lowering about mis-
countenance.
Then a blue serge coat and a Panama