The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-04-13
Want a job. Average? 2"

Want a job, Ayerage?"
Bertram reached over and prodded
his friend severely in the ribs Listen,
! cut this out of yesterdays Evening
Register. With your kind attention,
lad Is and gentlemen" He read:
wANTED-A YOUNG MAN. UNAT-
taehed. Gompetent to act as assistant In
outdoor scientific work. Manual skill as
desirable as experience. Emolument for
one months work generous. Man with
out family insisted upon. Apply arer
800 p m. in proper person. Smith, "A Bel
lair Street.
Slowly whirling in his chair, Aver
age Jones received the clipping, read
it and yawned.
is that alll' said the indignant
Bertram. Doesn't that inspire any
notion above yawn in your palsled
processes OF mind?"
Average Jones laughed. There
isn't any Smith," he said
We'll, it's nothing to me what his
name is. Only l thought you might
be the aspiring young scientist he was
yearning for"
Wouldn't wonder if I were, thank
you. Let's see Bellair street?
Where's the directory? Thanks Yes,
it is Greenwich village. We'll, / think
I'll just stroll down that way and
have a look after dinner"
Thus it was that Mr.. Adrian Van
Reypen Egerton Jones found himself
on hot May evening pursuing the
Adventure OF Life into the vestibule
OF rather dingy old house which had
hnnn oil ~
perity If not actual aristocracy in the
olden days OF New York city. Almost
Immediately the telegraphic click of
the lock appraised MIN that he might
enter, and as he stepped into the hall
way the door of the right-hand ground
floor apartment opened to him.
You will please come in" said a
voice
Tho tone was gentle and measured.
Also it was. by its accent, alien to any
rightful Smith. The visitor stepped
into a passageway which was dim
until he entered it and the door swung
behind him. Then it became pitch
black.
You will pardon this" said the
voice. "A severe affection of the eyes
compels me. You will find matches
at your elbow said the voice. com
ing dulled, from further apartment.
Doubtless you would be more com
Portable with a light"
Thank YOU" returned Average
Jones, enormously entertained by the
dime-novel setting which his host had
proyideT for him
He lighted the gas and looked about
Gparsely furnished room without a
single distinguishing feature, unless a
high and odd-shaped travelling bag
which stood on a chair near by could
be so regarded. The voice interrupt
ed his survey
You have come in answer to my ad-
vertisement?"
Yes, sir"
Can you endure exposure? Sub
sisting on rough fare and cleeping as
you mayo"
Il have camped in the northern for,
ests"
Yes" unused the voice You look
hardy"
Average Jones arose. "You-er-
are spying upon me, then. he drawled
quietly. u might haye-er-suspecte
peep-hole.'
He advanced slowly toward the
door whence the voice came a chair
blocked his way. without lowering
his gaze he showed at the obstacle
with his foot
Have a Care'' warned the voice
The chair toppled and overturned.
From it fell. with q light shock. the
strange yalise which. striking the
floor flew open. disclosing small
cardboard cabinet Across the front
Of the cabinet was strip of white
paper labeled i'm handwriting each LETT
ter being individual with W. at looked
TO the young man like the word
MERCY lie stopped To- replace the
bag
do not touch IT," ordered the voice
peremptorily
Average Jones straightcDed up to-
face The door again
ut isn't full OF dynamite is t''
What Is your branch off scientific
work. counter questioned The other
Botany replied the young man. at
random
Asronomy2 Chemistry Biology"
The applicant shook his head iu ro.
poatod negadon None chat I've spo.
ciarzod on
"Aht fear you Wiu not suit mv
purpose Since . cannot employ you
j owe you every courtesy r,r having
put you 90 ths trouble You uil OBJ
serve Chat avn not yery Dresentable."
The side door swung open lu tho
dimness OF the hofciosei apartment
Average Jones saw r. man huddlod in
O chair Tic wore q black skull car.
SO far ass liberalization went he was
safe His whole face was groteaQuely
biOtcbed and swollen So. also. were
the hands which rested on his knees
You will pardon me-" said Average
Jones. but ] am by nature cautious.
You have touched me. Is 81 contaF
ious7e
4 contorticn Of the features. prob