Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15

forced to allow the ques::c-s aT:cd him
to 20 unanswered, thereby gaining a repu-
tat!cn for unkinGnesn and taciturn!ty tina:
in unfair to him.
thing. hanging ON the arm OF rofne valiant
youth, waltZed TIP TO the watchman and
announced that she wished to eek cues
ton III II was not too much trouble"
The Waterman requested the young
thing to proceed.
Now, what I want to know Is this.
said the sweet young thing, where do
they bury all OF the poor little germs
that are killed I'm the sand?'
The Waterman gr!nned appreciatively
and said that he supposed that they were
allowed to remain buried In the sand
until they were dead. and then the good
little germs went to heaven and the bad
little germs went elsewhere.
The sweet young thing WAS horrif1ed.
DO you mean to tell me that they Kill
the good little germs too? she demanded
The Waterman replied speculatively that
he supposed that occasionally good little
germ fell I'm with bad company and died
a violent and sudden death.
Terrible. terrible said the sweet
young thing, and she wandered away
on the arm of her escort. weeping copi-
germs.
This same Waterman was approached
little later by youth who wanted TO
know how the men cleaned the tanks.
iio" liey BOt lie Iluu out.
A Variety Of Questions.
This seemed fairly sane question ana
the Waterman began elaborate ex-
PLANTATION of just how it was done. ViVidiy
he told of the men washing the mud from
the sand in the bowels Of the earth.
Finally, tired but happy. he wiped his
perspiring chin and waited for commenda-
ton.
The youth eyed him fishily.
Il understand all that he said, but
] want to know whether the men wear
diving suits when they go beneath the
water"
The Waterman with admirable patience
explained that the water was drained on
before the men descended.
We'll. them said the young man, how
do they wash the sand II they haven't
got any water?'
With which he wandered away. leaving
the Waterman to venomously contemplate
his rapidly vanishing form.
The grand finale occurred one afternoon
about d week ago. Three sweet young
things cornered the unfortunate watch
man and announced airily that they were
going to write a composition about the
filtration plant for their school and that
they wanted information.
The Waterman is a chivalrous soul. He
delved into details in a manner that as
tonished himself. He discussed sand and
Illuminated on germs and Grated on water.
He galloped into mazes of rhetoric that
left him gasping and stranded before he
had half finished his sentence. He yanked
out archaeological secrets and held them
up shrielxing and kicking. for the benefit
of the young ladies. He went back to the
time when Washington was a little boy
and gradually worked himself up 10
nervous frenzy by dissertating on the
many failures that had ultimately been
crowned by glorious and soul-satisfying
success.
Then the three young writers started In.
why do they filter water?' asked the
first anXiously.
How do they pour it imp quered the
second.
why don't they boil it?" asked the
third.
The Waterman choked slightly.
How do they know then they are get
ting the germs out?' began the first
again.
Yes and what do they do with them?
queried the second.
And why don't they let the poor little
things swim around in peace?' demanded
the third In tone of personal injury
The Waterman is brave man. He does
not fear marauders. But he felt instant
" that If he didn't leave with CELEBRITY he
would be reduced to a driveling maniac
for the rest of his natural life. He pulled
his hat firmly down over his ears. ad-
iusted his coat and without word He'd.
And since that day he has gwen w
answering questions.