The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1916-02-17


heard story, though, Of one lady
0&aliph. 1t isn't precisely an Arabian
Nights" story, because it brings in
cinderella, who flourished her dishrag
Ill another epoch and country. So If
you don't mind the mixed dates (Which
seem to give it an eastern flavor, after
alD We'll get along.
In New York there Is an old, old
hotel You have seen wood cuts Of 1t
In the magazines. 1t was built-let's
see-at n time when there was nothing
above Fourteenth street except the
old Indian trail to Boston and Ham.
merstein's office. Soon the old hostel
ry Will be torn down. And as the
stout walls are riven apart and the
bricks go roaring down the chutcs
crowds Of citizens will gather ut the
nearest corners and weep over the de-
struction Of dear old landmark Civ
1c pride Is strong in New Bagdad, and
the wettest weeper and the loudest
h0wler against the iconoclasts will be
the man Originally from Terre Haute)
whose fond memories Of the old hotel
are limited to his having been kicked
out from its free lunch counter in 1873.
At this hotel always stopped Mrs.
Maggie Brown. Mrs. Brown was, a
bony woman of sixty, dressed In the
rustiest black, and carrying n handbag
made. apparently, from the hide Of the
original animal that Adam decided to
call an alligator. She always occupied
small parlor and bedroom Mt the
top OF the hotel Mt n rental of 50 per
day. And always. while she was there.
each day came hurrying to see her
many men. sharp faced, anxious look
Ing. with only seconds to spare. For
Maggie Brown was said to be the third
richest woman in the world, and these
solicitous gentlemen were only the
city's wcalthiest brokers and business
- Hirh seeking triaing loans Of half
dozen millions or so from the dingy old
lady with the prehistoric hand bag.
The stcnographer and typewriter Of
the Acropolis hotel-there, I've let the
name of 1t out!-wus Miss Ida Bates.
She was Il hOldover from the Greek
classics. There wasn't flaw in her
looks. Some old timer in paying his
regards to Il lady said.'"To have loved
her was II liberal education" Well,
C'cn to have looked over the back hair
and neat white shirt waist OF Miss
Bates was equal to n full course in any
correspondence school in the country.
She sometimes did n little typewriting
for me and. as she refused to take the
money in advance, she came to look
upon me as something OF a friend and
protege. She had unfailing kindliness
and good nature. and not even d white
lead drummer or fur importer had
ever dared to cross the dead line of
good behavior In her presence. The
entire force OF the Acropoiis. from the
owner. who lived in Vienna. down to
the head porter, who had been bedrid-
den for sixteen years, would have
sprung TO her defense In n moment.
One day l walked past Miss Bates
little sanctum Remingtorium and saw
In her place black haired unit-unmis
takably person-pounding with each
or her fOretingers upon the keys.
Musing on the mutability of temporal
affairs. | passed on. The next day
went on two weeks vacation. Re-
turning. ! strolled through the lobby
or the Acropolis. and saw, with little
warm glow OF auld lang syne, Miss
Bates, as Grecian and kind and flaw
less as ever, just putting the cover on
her machine. The hour for closing
had come. but she asked me in to sit
for few minutes in the dlctation
chair. Miss Bates explained her abb
sence from and return to the Acropolls
hotel IN words identical with or similar
to these following:
well. man, how are the stories COM
fngr'
Pretty regularly" said I. about
equal to their going"
I'm sorry" said she. "Good type
writing Is the main thing in story.
You've missed me. haven't your
mo one," said l, whom have ever
known knows as well as you do how
TO space properly belt buckles, semi
colons. hotel guests and hairpins. But
you've been away, too. saw a pack
age of peppermint pepsin In your place
the other day."
II was going to tell you about IT."
said Miss Bates. IF you hadn't inter
rupted me.
[ "Of course, you know about Maggie
A6Gwn. who stops here. Well. she's
corth $40,O00.O00. She lives I'm Jersey
In $40 fiat She's always got more
cash on hand than half a dozen busi-
ness candidates for vice president. I
don't know whether she carries it I'm
her stocking or not, but I know she's
mighty popular down in the part of
the town where they worship the
golden calf.
We'll, about two weeks ago Mrs.
Brown stops at the door and rubbers
at me for ten minutes. I'm sitting with
my side to her, striking Off some mani
fold copies OF copper mine proposition
for nice old man from Tonopah. But
f. always see everything all around me.
When I'm hard at work | can see
things through my side combs. and l
Gan leave one button unbuttoned In the
back og my shirt waist and see who's
behind me. 1 didn't look around, he.
cause make from SIS to $40 d week.