The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-08-15
A NAN N THE MAKING

Inc story Of Skaggles-as II Ia +.,a
~ writer In the Associated sundov
.nes-is very simple, but it goes
suaient to that spot in the heart that
- always waiting to respond to the
brave and sweet things Of life. skaog1as
was aot ms name. Some one gave him
.uae ute the third day after he took
.ue JoO. 1t was finally curtailed to
Skag. When he first came to the
once ne fitted like mouse's tail in .
well out he had an old look-the loeb
GA burden beyond his years. He was
wan ana pale, and his nose was red
every time he came in from the wealth
er. His shoes and stockings were ven.
tilated beyond endurance to anvhodv
except a boy.
Out Skag was a faithful worker-at
nrsr Bright and early he swept the
ONCE AID busted the desks-that is
used the duster-and by eight o'clock
ne was over in his corner, his hair plas-
tered back and his face washed. save
Tor the high-water mark about his neck
but by degrees Skag's enthusiasm
over his new position languished. The
clerks complained of unemptied waste
baskets and dusty desks. It was also
noticed that Skag's clothes were daily
growing more shabby, his hair longer,
MS shoes more run over, and it was
evident that his mind was not on his
work.
A reprimand from the BOSS had the
desired effect. He became more pune
tual, took more interest in his work.
seemed CHEEKY, and sometimes whistled
little. But Skag's work was spas
modic. It was not long before he was
as bad as ever. His work Jagged, he
was slow about getting round mornings,
and his interest outwardly, at least
was of the wooden Indian variety. The
GROWING and final test of endurance
on the part of the Office force came
when he went to sleep in his chair.
"Skag, come here!"
1t was the boss. Skag shufled into
the managers private Office, and sat on
the edge Of chair, nervous and
fdgety. The boss did not speak for a
minute way Of impressing a cul-
prit.
"Skag, this thing has gone far
enough! You are not paying attention
to your work. Look at the dust on my
desk-it's frightful. This is Monday.
TIL yivo v,o,, ja,ot ono xrooly Coturdou
winds you up unless you come out Of
that trance. That's ALL"
Skag shifted and shuf1ed back to his
chair, where he tugged at the seam on
his trousers and gazed vacantly out Of,
the window.
The, next morning the Office fairly
glistened, AID all through the week
his work improved. The stenOgrapher
even discarded her work sleeves, her
desk was so clean.
But no one noticed that Skag's face
was growing thinner and his eyelids
more dropping.
Saturday night, after FIVE o'clock,
Skag stayed and cleaned up the Office
He would be that much ahead when
Monday came.
Monday morning the Office was as
clean as a Dutch kitchen, but there was
no Skag. Noon arrived, and still no
Skag, at which the boss waxed wrathy.
Zones, go up to the kids house and
see what the trouble is. Tell him II he
can't get here by two o'clock, he needn't
come at ALL
When Jones returned he went into
the managers private office a1d closed
the door. Later he came out with
long sheet of paper in his hand. The
boss had headed the list with twenty
five dollars.
what brought it on" asked the
stenographer.
Exposure, and not enough to keep
body and soul together. The kids been
sitting up nights with her for month.
Funerals Wednesday"
Skag is still working. He wears a
new suit, aad the high-water mark
round his neck has disappeared. And
thew do not call him Skaggles now.
They call him by his right name.
R