The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-03-25

Now, take this case that's batted
mp to us only the other day. I'd just
finished putin Pyramid through a
few Of my new, up to date physical
culture stunts that I've invented spec
ial as an antidote for a diet Of mid
night lobster palace food and black
cigars. He'd quit breathin hard. after
which he'd been run through the nee
die shower, then rubbed to a glow, an
now he's wrapped up I'm a blanket
dressin' gown, layin' back in an easy
chair by an open window, sippln' the
quart Of spring water that ] make
him surprise his stomach with twice
week.
I'm holdin' the watch on him to see
he don't tip II down too fast and
handin back the caustic repartee for
every growl he lets out, when there's
a knock on the office door, and in
drifts this specimen with the smutty
tace and greasy overalls.
Course, it's nobody but Jake the
janitor; but as a rule he don't show
himself up stairs in that basement UNI
form. He amt any exhibition janitor
at best; for he's a glum faced party,
with close cropped gray hair, a pair Of
short bow legs, and arms so long he
can pat his knees withouts bendin'.
Now, with a three days growth OF
gray stubble over his face. he amt
hardly what you would call a front
office ornament
"Well?' says l. Lost your way to
the boiler room, have you?"
Excuse me, Professor" SAYS he, dis
GOVERN Mr. Gordon in the corner, AMI
startin' to back out 'T-IH drop In
some other time"
"Ah, might as well let it come, now
you're here" says I. Get it off your
chest, whatever it is. You look wor-
ried."
Well, he was. Seems the buildin'
had changed hands and he'd got notice
from the new owner to quit on the
first of the month. AS a matter of fact,
! could have heard worse news; for
Jake, with them sulky ways of his,
want the sort you'd mourn for very
hard. Still, he'd always done his
work faithful, so far as I knew. and {
had no special reason for wantin' him
to get the chuck.
There's other jobs, amt there"
says l.
81 suppose So" says he, brushin
the back of his hand across his eyes
and wallowin' hard; but they don't
come easy to old wrecks like me"
ooh. come, comet" says 7. "You
amt had the Osler brand put on You
yet, have you? What do you foot up
anyway"
"Fifty-fve," saws he.
"Huh!" grunts Pyramid Gordon
from the chair. "Call that old. do you?
Why, I can go you three better nv.
self"
Eyes" saws I, land him leadin' the
sportin' life with the best of EN-!
don't hear from him about going Of
the shelf"
Eyes, I know" says Jake. sighin
"but it's dif'rent with me. I've hit the
foot Of the ladder"
Then he goes on to tell how he;
been janitor here for the last do2el
years. Before that he'd been assist
ant foreman in a cotton mill up il
Rhode Island; but he'd got his lung
plugged with mill dust and waste, an,
he'd had to give that up. With no 9th
err trade, a janitor's job was the hes
he could find
"And If I'm thrown out now say
he, 81 sha'n't know which way IN ''r'
Couldn't you speak to Mr.. Marcu
the new owner, Professor"
Marcus, eh?" says l. yes, could
but doubt If It does much good. II
guessin' he'll put in another man jus
the same, and likely his namell b
Rabinowitz; but I'll have a try"
Thank YOU" says he. aft I hav
to go, though-well, I'll have to, that
all. tn be hard on Katy"
"Eh?" says l. "The wife,"
mo, she's gone" says he. Katy
my married daughter, up in Pawtuc'
ct. Four little ones, and her ma
working half time these last thre
months. I've been helping them out
"Oh," says l. he's in a mill too,
ne? Couldn't exactly camp down 0
them, could you? But isn't ther
anyone else in the famly?"
THE boy turned out Wild" say
Jake. Last heard he was n tn
army"
"At eighteen a, month. eh?" saws