Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-10-11

out gtumbles in on Us by accident,
and we get a janitor who serves Us as
though we were moguls.
Things went on this way Tor
months. Henry Sparks told i've real
estate agents to quit looking up
country home for him You can't beat
the combination I've got right here IN
the heart of Chicago" he said.
A box of cigars went a long way
with the janitor. He insisted on
beating the Sparks rugs. he gilded the
radiators, he fixed the door knobs. and
toward the end OF the second month
he was washing the windows every
other day. The windows of the other
flats were dingy and finger-marked.
Rosa was pearl of great price. She
anticipated every wish of every mem
Der of the family. There was little
left for Mrs. Sparks to do but to en-
broider and to mend Frances stock
ings. For some reason or other,
Henry Sparks, though he had always
prided himself on his perspicacity,
never noticed that whenever William
found that something in the kitchen
needed fixing the job was always one
that required three or four days time
One night Mr.. Sparks went down
town to do some work He didn't get
back till one o'clock. He slipped on
his shoes at the door so as not to
awaken his wife. He passed through
the hall. and feeling hungry he went
Hnn a
mind and appetite bent on exploring
the kitchen pantry The door leading
into the kitchen was shut. In his
stocking feet Mr.. Sparks made no
noise. He opened the door quickly.
The kitchen gas was burning. From
the far end of the room came a click
ing noise. William the janitor was
standing at attention with his heels
brought sharply together. AS the man
jumped to the position Of a soldier
Mr.. Sparks saw that one OF his arms
had just dropped from its position OF
embrace about the waist of Rosa, the
maid
back to days when as "non-com" he
had verbally dashed some bluecoat
duty derelict.
William" he said in a voice Of
thunder, how dare you! You're
scoundrel, sir"
Williams hand went to his fore
head in salute. Rosa and / are to
be married next week, Mr.. Sparks"
he said
Married." was the gasping re-
Spouse. How about your wife and
two children down stairs?"
That's my widowed sister and her
two little ones. She's been keeping
house for me-" said William.
Mr.. Sparks groaned and went Imply
back into the front room. He walked
his WIFE Eliza" he said, "our dream
is over. Rosa is going to marry the
janitor. 1t wasn't any old soldier
sentiment at all that made him wash
windows I'll tell Hunt in the morn
ing to look for home for US in the
country" and, signing, Mr.. Sparks
went to bed.
At the breakfast table next morning
William and Rosa came in hand In
hand. We're going to be married
next week, Mrs. Sparks" said Rosa,
but my sister wants a place and I'll
send her here. She's a better cook
than i am"
! At this bit of information Mr..
Sparks face cleared yisibly. You
both have my blessing" he said:
send in your sister Rosa, and If Will
lam leaves here I'll get old Highrates,
the landlord, to send a good janitor in
his place, but I'll take good care that
he is not an old soldier And then,
forgetful of everything else, Mr..
Sparks turned to his wife and said:
They can't resist an old soldier, can
they, my dear?"