Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-09-06
No More for the JanitOr

lSA the NOI1Q siAs ehAocs 0toNASN
As for that maid of hers, she's De-
meath my notice. But Tuesday Is my
day in the laundry, and propose TO
have It.
-As for the drying room, I'll not
take that small eandbox affair.
want that large one next to the stair
way" The speaker was an occupant
OF fashionable apartment in the East
END.
In a moment Mrs. Van Arden APP
peared. MIR. Johnson, l don't under
stand why there should be any ques-
ton about whose day this Is in the
laundry. 1t is mine, of course, and l
shall expect you to see that my rights
are respected. have nothing against
Mrs. Seabury. She is n very sweet
woman, but that maid and washer
woman of hers are both horrid, imper-
tinent creatures and l shall instruct
my servants to stand for their rights"
But" said the janitor. las far as
the drying rooms are concerned, they
are all exactly the same size. AS foi
choosing Tuesday for your day, Mrs.
seahury. can hardly grant that, az
Mrs. Van Arden has been a tenant
longer and that has always been her
day"
II can't help that, johnson; my laun-
dress has worked for me for the past
five years and Tuesday is her day,
and I'll not change 1t. This is this
most accommodating place | was
ever in" With this parting shot she
sailed away with her head in the air
and a steel-trap expression on her
mouth.
The janitor stuck his hands in his
pockets and gave low whistle.
whats a Teller to do with these
pesky women, anyway? l know one
tbing-this is positively my last APP
pearance In this role. I'll 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,
slatherin' each other all over with hot
scapsuds and hotter cuss words. And
I'll have to risk my neck separation
them. Won't 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 a little quicker, and
in Q 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 filled with flying soap,
clothes sticks and bluing.
In few moments ammunition was
exhausted and a dead clinch resulted,
the janitor struggling manfully to sep
arate the 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
lied out.
shut up, you interferin' old thing
Il the landlord would get a ianitor
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
Seahurv contingent
The Seabury maid flew to the middle
Ct the floor again screaming: None OF
your inpudence, you cheap John
IF you put as much solid silver on
your table every day as | do Won
wouldn't have to spend your time
hinin' at how much bigger you are
han your betters."
Mrs. Van Arden eyed Mrs. Seabury
scornfully while she addressed her re-
marks to the poor, detected janltor
Ar. Johnson, l don't understand this
A. all"
Mrs. Seabury interfered, with her
heao high in the air. johnson.
stated distinctly that this was to be nv
day. don't pay SIS a month to be die
tated to by persons living in five
rooms"
Fae maids glared at each other and
their mistresses glared at the ian.
ltor
Ladies. I'm very sorry, but I have
my orders. The tenants that have been
here the longest have the right O,
choice in the laundry and this is Mrs
Van Arden's day.
1T is evident that you have no
sense OF justice. Moreover, you VIII
pay the damages for these ruined
clothes, and l shall see the landlord a.