Evening star., 1918-05-19
The Adventures of JabeZ Bunker

Mrs. Bunker. ''I hope you amt goin'
out of your mind"
But Mr.. Bunker was not going out
of his mind. He chuckled again and
let his hand slide under the pillow.
where he had placed the telegram his
The next morning. as soon as he
had had his breakfast. Mr.. Bunker
left the boarding house and walked
slowly down the street. He was in
piece of business he wished to COM
plete that morning. The day threat
ened to be one of those severely hot
days that damage New York's reputa-
tion as a summer resort.
When he reached the avenue. Mr..
Bunker turned south and strolied on
ward at a comfortable pace until he
reached the small basement shop of
printer who had done work for him
at sundry times. Into the shop Mr.
Bunker descended.
Il wonder II you be too busy to get
a job of printin' done for me by this
afternoon?" Mr.. Bunker queried
I'm SO busy that il anybody
brought me a real job I'd fall on
his neck and kiss him." said the
printer. That's how basy 1 am.
Mr. Bunker explained. He seated
himself at the printers desk and
scribbled with a stubby pencil, writ
ing and erasing and writing again
until he had the copy" to suit him.
He then explained to the printer just
how he wanted 1t set and printed.
and there being no reason why he
should go elsewhere. and the chair
before the printers desk being as cool
as any spot near by, Mr.. Bunker re-
mained there. When noon arrived. he
stretched and yawned and went back
to the boarding house. Having eaten
cold lunch. Mr.. Bunker stretched
himself on a couch in the boarding
house parlor and INDUCED in a pleas
ant siesta, Grandma Bunker sitting
beside him and slowly waving a fan
and the face of her husband.
AS the day passed. the heat in
creased. At three o'clock Mr.. Bum
ker reused himself.
Well. ma he said, business is
business in the bunco line. the same
earn his bread by the sweat of his
brow
Especially such hot days as this,
Jabez." said Mrs. Bunker
Yep" said Mr.. Bunker. Il declare
I'd ruther stay right here and be
heat"
so you would" said his wife. SYM
pathetically. so you would, Jabez;
but human man has to do his duty
in the world, heat or no heat. and /
wun't be the one to keep you home
when some poor soul is waitin' to be
stang: So go along and do as you
have been done by, keep on the shady
side Of the street and don't get sun
struck
Mr.. Bunker, thus sent on his way
with loving word. kissed the dear
first at the printers shop and secured
the small quantity of folders and the
business cards the printer had pre-
pared for him. These he slipped into
his pockets. and at four o'clock he
was at the 5th avenue entrance of
Central Park.
II you are acquainted with this en-
erance to the park. you are aware
that rows of park benches edge the
walk. and that In any but the most
inclement weather these benches are
well filled. Mr.. Bunker strolled slowly
on them, and it was not long before
he saw young Mr.. Wells Hardcome
Heath. The young chap was seated
on the extreme edge Of a bench as If
he were afraid his nearest neighbor
might defile him by mere contact, and
by. When he saw Mr.. Bunker his
eyes frightened.
II say! Here I am" Mr.. Heath
cried; stepping forward and touching
MT bunker on the arm. HOW did
you make out old chap"
IF you knew me as well as folks
out west knows me-" said Mr. Bum
ker genially. you wouldn't ask that
You'd know everything was fixed and
settled and arranged. Out to Oroduna
the sayin' is: You leave it to Jabez
Bunker. and it's as good as done
Yes, young feller. that's the reputa-
tion I've got out west. You got the
hundred dollars with you?
Indeed 1 have" said Mr.. Heath
Hand it over" said Mr.. Bunker.
They we're standing where the full
tide of those leaving and entering the
park eddied around them. AS Mr.
Bunker looked at Hr. Heath he saw,
in the approaching groups of pedes-
trians. Mrs. Roxy Burlington. Mrs
Burlington saw Mr.. Bunker. Already
she was preparing to greet him as
she passed. and her eyes held that
friendly look with which we gaze on
a friend. Mr.. Heath luckily. was look
ing in the opposite direction. He was
looking at Mr.. Bunker and thus into
the park. Without the least hesita-
tion Mr.. Bunker turned and. grasping
Mr.. Heath by the arm. pushed him
hurriedly up the walk and deeper into