Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-05-11
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER vi.
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FttZhugh began to fret and fume at
his irksome employment He was
coming to believe he had made a mis-
take in adopting such slow means to
an eagerly desired end, when, in tie
fifth week, something occurred that
diSpelled his growing pesSimiSm. it
was warm Saturday night. and
when he came from the broiltnS
kitchen with his coat under his arm.
dripping with perspiration, his EN-
plOyer met him and handed him eight
dollars, five of which he promptly
placed between the leaves Of his saw
iugs handbook, which now showed a
balance of twenty dollars.
As he nodded goodnight to his en-
plOyer he noticed hatchet-faced man
in checker-bOard suit on one of the
lunch-counter stools. Before Fitzhugh
reached Van Buren, street this man
confronted him and, smiling as cor
daily as his hard face would permit
asked:
How much does the Greek pay
you?"
According to my desert, my solicit
GUS friend. l draw the munificent sal
AIRY of eight dollars each week"
The questioner pushed back his hat
and chewed his cigar. And his head
bObbed up and down as he scanned the
dishwasher from top to toe.
Il s'pOSe you'll do" he finally de-
cided. Come long to the next block.
Got sOme'in' | want to show you"
He led the way up State street. and
near Jackson boulevard stopped be-
fore II gOld-und-white restaurant, gilt
tering with electric lights. brand new
and Spick and span. Across the plate
glass window in letters three feet high
was the name, "NIaX's."
See that? That's me. I'm Max"
lie tapped his chest proudly. You've
got to make that name famous I'm
derstand me? Famous! Come Come
long inside and I'll tell you all bout
it,"
They went in, and Mr. Max outlined
his plan. Briefly. Il was this: Fitz-
hugh. after visit to barber, was TO
and with an aristOcratic demeanor,
was to promenade State street for five
hours daily. Painted in white letters
on the back of his frOck-cOat would
be the name MANS"
"Um-hum," observed Fitzhugh
drawing reflectIvely on his cigar How
much do l get for thiS?"
We'll. let me See-Say fifteen a
week. How's that strike yOu?"
Not favorably. Make il thirty and
the deals closed" And even as he
spoke Fitzhugh was wondering If his
beard sufficiently disguised him. He
decided ii did. Besides, there were
the theatrical possibilities of the
thing, and this appealed strongly TO
his love for make-believe.
After some further bargaining II was
agreed he was to receive NV, nty dollars
the first week and if employed longer.
thirty dollars each for all subsequent
weeks.
He reported for work Monday morn
ing. Accompanied by Max. he went
to BARRIERS shop and afterward 10 Il
clothing establishment where ready
made apparel of the better class was
sold. About eleven o'clock he Stepped
from the restaurant, paused in the yes
Thule. took a pair of new ChumOis
gloves from Il pocket and began draw
ing them ON. When he stepped OUT
into the morning crowd and Strolled
mp State street. swinging a gold
headed cane, his gliStening hat tower
ing high above the mass of heads, he
started furore far greater than his
Sanguine employer expected.
When he reached Adams street
there was in his wake joStling num-
Der of more curious ones, anxious TO
keep him in sight. yet lOath TO betray
their eagernesS. He stopped AT the
corner, mounted meta, refuse box
near the curb and, removing his silk
hat with a sweeping gesture, shielded
his eyes with his hand and stared
straight into the zenith. minute or
more he remained thus, the human
jam thickening about him with every
second. The sidewalk became speedily
choked. A policeman showed his way
through the congestion. reached up,
jabbed his knuckles in Fitzhugh's side.
Come out Of 1t, professor" advised
he. Its the closed season for star
gain"
Fitzhugh put on his hat, stepped
down from his pedestal, nodded silent
Iy to the officer. and with the pOmP
and dignity of a lord mayor. retraCeG
his steps down the street, the crowd
following.
In the afternoon he again sailed
forth and the success of the morning
was repeated. He stopped this time
at Monroe street for his skyward
gate. Again the crowd surged about
him. and again his poise was Jared by