The Washington herald., 1914-12-06

When old Mr. Burchamp took a room
on the eighth floor and hung out a sign
of Commissions" he didn't lose a day
in coming to an understanding with me.
AS soon as l was OF duty he called me
up and patted me on the head and said
to me in a fatherly way:
'SammLs, l have been a tenant in sew
eral skyscrapers during the last ten
years. and l know something Of the
power and influence Of the elevator boy.
He can make the days glide along Ike
rivers TO the sea. or he can bring about
a wabbIe from first floor TO garret. Let
US come to an understanding right at the
start
Yes, sir
You are fatherIess. Sammis?"
Il am"
And you are making heroic efforts 10
pay OF a mortgage and support your
mother"
Yes, sir
Then permit me TO be a father to you.
That is, come to me for advice. Come TO
me when you want a quarter. Come 10
me when your heart is sad and your
tears ready to start. II needn't be known
all over the United States that we have
adopted each other, but our affections
will be just as deep and profitable to each
other You look out for your adopted
father-your adopted father looks out for
you. Here's a dollar for the mortgage.
Other dollars follow at brief intervals
Il thank you sir"
And now as to your understanding,
Sammis. There is a Mrs. Burchamp. She
is a good-hearted woman, but old-fash-
ioned in her ideas She's also inclined to
be jealous. She does not know the exact
position Of my Office. and IL will be just
as well II she does not find out. Not that
l would deceive the good woman in any
particular. but her presence would intel r
rupt business, you know"
Yes. sir: I know. When a mans wife
is sitting around the office. he can't fx
his mind on stocks and mines and real
estate. I've seen 'em try it, and they al
ways failed"
Exactly. my adopted Sammis, and
here's 81 cents more on the mortgage.
You have the head OF man on a boys
shoulder Mrs. Burchamp may call here
some day. She may go through my pock-
cts at night and find my business address.
II she calls, Sammis, you can't fail 20
recognize her. She is a short. sawed-on
woman. broad in the shoulders, firm on
her feet. and she has a way OF gritting
her teeth and doubling up her fists Her
eyes are gray. Sammis, her nose is aqui-
line, and she has wart on her chin.
She may appear any day. and II she
appears-
L understand. Leave II TO me 10 as
courage her"
| thought there were tears in my adopt
ed fathers eyes as he put his arm around
me and said that he had unboUnded con-
, fidence in my integrity. Everything went
along as smooth as grease for a week.
and then Mr.. Burchamp advertised for
five typewriters. don't know why ne
did il. as the kid in his office said busi-
ness was so dull that they didn't lick
on two postage stamps a day. but an
elevator boy should never theorize, es-
pecially where mis- adopted fathers in
terests are at stake. He didn't put his
name to the ad but Mrs. Burchamp
dropped to II somehow and came down 70
see There must have been fifteen type
writer's in Mr.. BurChamps Office when
she struck the elevator at the first floor.
I knew her at a glance. and It didn't take
me ten seconds TO size her up as danger
Gus.
"Bub. want to go up to the eighth
floor" she said. as she showed me aside
and crowded into the elevator.
What room. ma ann"
Never you mind the room! How man"
typAwriters have answered that adj
You mean the subscription book