The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-05-28
oUTDolNG
THE JANIToR
Nj. Gilmore F,nds Il Difficult

For some time 1t had been apparent
to the Gilmores that whenever any.
thing was lost on the dumbwaiter, the
janitor asked them II they knew what
had become of it. The unanimity
with which their co-tenants. through
the medium of common agent, az
piled to them for the restoration Of
missing property finally became very
humiliating, and Mr. Gilmore said he
was going to put stop to 1t.
Mr.. Gilmore had an opportunity to
pursue his drastic policy with the jan
itor the very next morning. 1t was
Sunday morning, and Mr.. Gilmore,
eager for battle, rushed to the dumb
waiter in response to the clarion call
from the janitor's speaking tube.
Hello" he said.
Hello" came the reply from the
depths of the basement. "Say, have
youse folks seen anything of basket
of aigs from the delicatessen that was
left on the dumbwaiter this morning
for Mrs. Washburn?"
NO." said Mr.. Gilmore, I'VE haven't.
What do you take us for, anyway? A
pack of thieves? When things are
lost about the house, why don't you
60 to some place else once in q while
to look for them? Why do you al.
ways come to u.s."
Because" came the unhesitating
response, you are the only people in
the building who never lose anything
yourselves"
For moment Mr.. Gilmore appeared
convinced by this apparently conclu.
sive evidence Of his own guilt, but
soon his indignation as an injured
householder asserted itself, and urged
him to vindicate his honor.
THE only ones that haven't lost
anything, are we?" he retorted. "Well,
just let me tell you that IL no proof.
We have lost things, too"
you have?" exclaimed the janitor.
you never said anything about it."
NO." said Gilmore, I'VE never did.
We kept still out Of consideration for
you. We felt sorry for you. We knew
you had hard time keeping track Of
so many different things, so when we
lost steaks and groceries and milk
and papers we just did without, or else
went out and bought more rather than
worry you about it. But we're through
with all such mistaken kindness. Here.
after when We lose anything you've
got to hustle around and find it, or
take chances on losing your job"
Having thus relieved himself of q
part OF his bottled-up wrath, Gilmore
drew in his head and slammed the
door. Mrs. Gilmore stood at his Ell.
bow, pale and frightened.
"Oh, Robert" she said, what did
you mean by telling him that yarn
about our having lost things? We
never have"
That's all right" said Gilmore. 1T
Is just as we'll to make him think so.
What is more, am going to keep on
rubbing our losses in.
Mr.. Gilmore instituted his system
Of revenge on the following morning.
Say, john" he said, did you see
anything of a roll of butter the
grocer's boy left for US this morning ?"
mo, SIR" floated up mildly from the
foot of the dumbwaiter shaft.
THAT is too bad" said Gilmore.
Somebody has swiped it. You had
better find out who it was"
All right" said the janitor. "In
get it for you"
Before Gilmore had finished his
breakfast he was disturbed by a VIC.
lent whistling and shrieking at the
tube and the creaking of the dumb.
waiter.
"Hello!" came sepulchral voice
from the basement. Here's your
butter"
Gilmore was too much astounded at
that unexpected announcement to
make reply.
well, I'll be blessed!" he said.
Where do you suppose he got it,"
What are you going to do with it,"
cross-questioned Mrs. Gilmore.
Keep it, suppose"
"But it isn't ours" she protested.
HE must have scared one of the
neighbors into giving it up. You'd
better give 1t back to him to return to
them"
Never" said Gilmore. 1--WE start
ed out to teach that fellow lesson,
and I'm going to stick to it. Silence
Just now is the best policy.
In pursuance of his scheme for dis.
ciplining the janitor, Mr.. Gilmore dur.
ing the next few days reported miss.
ing pint Of cream, ten.pound pack
age of graduated sugar, a quart of
cranberries and a basket of potatoes,
and each time, to the Gilmores' ever
increasing amazement, John called
back after the lapse Of few minutes:
"All right, sir; here it is"
At last Mrs. Gilmore, being Of a
superstitious bent, began to read dis
aster in the janitor's extraordinary
obedience.
Il do hope" she said, chat you
won't report any more fictitious losses.
Well be guilty of robbing everybody
in the house before we get out of this
ecrane