The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-08
THE EVENING STORY
Improving ON Instructions

office boy. The lads fluent talk.
heavily favored with the slang Of the
moment was d,ysrtinE even zen While While It
I'm afraid It's no deal, Lippy,"
he said, his tone tinged with kindly
regret. "You don't quite I'LL the
He turned back to his desk, but q |
Forget 1t, boss" pleaded Lippy
Che had confessed that to be the only
name he knew. I'm wrong; get
that? don't live wild me fader and
mudder. but it's cause I amt got
none, see? What eff do live In
lodgin' house and amt got me pants
pressed? I'll be Johnny on de spot
and wort dozen dude kids. Len
me tree iron men an I'll be back
here wild de glad rags in half hour.
1 Is It 60? Give q Teller a chancs
Lippy tried hard to keep stiff
upper lip, but the nervous twitchtng
betrayed his anxiety, and there was
pleading look in the sharp. greenish
eyes. Runyon drew a aye-dollar bill
tits a co." he agreed. ''Now, for
heavens sake. get decent-lookingl
suit. Don't come back here looking
like a prize fighters sparring partner,
and hurry up"
with a muttered "tanks'' that was
meant to be brusQue, but which spoke
whole volumes of the boys delight,
Lippy sped from the Office. He was
back within the prescribed half hour.
A clean shirt and q paper collar had
replaced the tattered garment that
once had been his body covering. A
suit well worn, but clean, and pair
of shoes described by Lippy as new
second hand" completed the outfit.
Lippy was installed.
For a few weeks things went we'll
In the Runyon ONCE. Lippy learned
the rudiments of a more conventional
speech, anG his alertness brought
many q smile of approval from Run
yon. Lippy was keeping his promise
| to be Johnny on the spot"
Then came blue Monday when all
went wrong. Runyon came to the
Office with the temper of a bear. He
shut himself in the private office.
| whence presently came q demand for
the typewriter. Lippy reported that
| she had not yet arrived and pointed
out that she still had fifteen minutes
grace. But the fifteen minutes
girl had not come, while Runyon's
temper grew more savage.
Then came a telephone message.
Miss Blake had been married the day
before and had gone on her honey
moon. Her mother hoped that it
L
| ployer.. but her fiance had been or
dered west and the girl had accom-
panied him.
What am 1 going to do without
Miss Blake?' stormed Runyon.
There are important papers to be
got out. I can't trust them to a pub
/ lie typewriter"
"Get another girl advised Lippy
sagely. 1.-THE man what makes the
| machines keeps girls in cold storage.
| Phone him and he'll push one down
here special delivery
| mo, co. dissented Runyon. 'I
must have one in whose discretion
| can trust. The only Recommendation
those girls require is that they use
| the machine"
Amt you tn hep gamoosh to some
dame wit tn hurry fngers?'' sug-
gested Lippy. "Your fren or your
| fren's fren?"
| Runyon started.
ut may do some good" he told
himself "It will show that am not
disposed to hold anger. Take this
card and ask the lady If she can come
down at once,'' he added to Lippy.
handing the boy card which he
| drew from his vest pocket
| Lippy was out Of the Office like a
whirlwind and presently he was
standing in front of a handsome
house in the residential district de-
batting with himself If this could be
| the address. His debate was short.
To Lfppy orders were orders. He
climbed the steps and soon was stand
ing in the hallway, while the butler
went off to find the girl.
You have a letter from Mr.. Run
yon?" she asked as Lippy was ushered
into a room all sweet smells and soft
| toned colors. Lippy shook his head in
.He didn't have no time to write"
| he explained. HE couldn't wait f'r
that. He told me to hot foot it up
| here and tell you he couldn't wait
come down wit me-"
Whats the NATTER" she asked in
establishment. Mr.. Runyou is in some
| trouble?"
"Up to his neck" declared Lippy.
"Say, If you don't get down in a hurry
he'll go dead nutty. He was mos bug
house when I went away from there
wit somethin' t. tell you"
wait In the hall. I'll be right
down." she promised, while her trem-
bling hands toyed nervously with a
ribbon. IL did not know 1t was so
serious; that he would take 1t this
way
.'serious!" echoed Lippy. "rn bet
we find two cops and the ambulance
doc in tn place If we don't get there
pretty quick"
The girl rang the bell for her maid
and Lippy went down to the front hall
to spend a pleasant ten minutes in i'm
pertinent conversation, addressed to
| the butler with the delightful know
ledge that the staid functionary did not
| dare hit back.
| Then the girl came down the stairs
| looking even more attractive in her
heavy furs, and Lippy wonderingly fol-
| lowed her into the automobile that
| stood at the curb. This sort of type
| writer was new to him.
| The ride was all too short and the
| girl pressed after him as Lippy raced
| down the hall and proudly threw open
| the door with a shrill Il got her, boss -
| Runyon came out of his private Of
| fee and halted as he looked at the