Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1922-03-24
Down the Dumb
waiter Shaft
By FREDERICK HART.

y. 1921. by Mcclure Newspape' ~
"Oh, | think gas stoves are the
meanest things!"
Tears stood in pretty Mary Davis
eyes. She had had little enough trou-
ble in her life in the Belladonha
aparlments, but the gas S.oNe seemed
always to be thing endowed with
malignant, devilish spirit that detied
her, try as she would to regulate 1t.
And now, when she had such nice
supper ready to prepare, the thing
wouldn't work. 1t either refused to
light at all or exploded with a vicious
bang that frightened Mary yearly TO
death. She stamped her foot;
i hope YOU blow up and-and
Smash youl self to pieces" she cried
addressing The inanimate cause Of her
troubles. She knew that 1t was no
good appealing to the janitor-that
worthy lurked low in den where
only the boldest tenant dared tread,
and Mary had no desire to meet him
in argument. She wiped her eyes.
IF only knew something about
stoves" she walled aloud. But !!
don't, and can't cook any supper, and
-and-s"
Sic sank on the bed and gave her.
self 10 tears.
A knock on her door startled her.
She sprang to her feet, hastily dabbed
at her eyes, and opened the door: In
the hall stood young man, diffident,
yet smiling.
wrong with your gas stove," he began
"Oh, l have-indeed ! have! Are
you d" She paused. not sure OF
the name for men who repaired gas
stoves. The young man took her up
I'm not-that Is to say, I'm not q
regular gas-stove expert" he said
But I've lived in apartments long
enough to know something about theil
little habits and tricks. And l thought
| might fix yours" He had entered
as he spoke, and Mary looked at hin
for the first time IN clear light. He
was handsome, she decided at once
and he had nice eyes and an engaging
smile. And surely he had come al
opportunity as an angel from heaven
''rhere 1t is" she said, pointing ou
the horrid object. II can't do any
thing with It,"
The young man approached the
stove without tremor, as one VIII,
has no fear He twiddled Its valves
with contemptuOus familiarity, trying
TO light it once or twice. Then h
reached into his pocket, extracted
pair of pliers and loosened a joint o
two, poking into pipes with match
stick. AT last he Strengthened him
elf.
II think it'll work all right now,
he said. Let me try it. Have you
lnatch?"
He turned the valve, struck tn
match she lad given him and applies
The fire to he burner A little pop !!
lunded. and the clear blue flame Of
erfectly functioning gas range re
snr''ed him. Mary gave little or
- JOY.
ooh. you are clever!" she cried. at
III right now. isn't it?" How can
.,er thank youY" A chilling though
inferred her mind. do I--how muc
: ii-duS II cOstY'
The young man Strengthened hi
',ack. crnniped from STOPPING.
"Well. there's no charge. But |
on have bit of salt to spare 70,
aighi let me borrow a pinch" he re
died. Il haven't scrap Of salt ii
ny place
''Of course III let you have tn
at. she sad. hnrrying to open
paper bag. but wish you'd let M
..Ar you something for vOur trouble.
ut wasn't any trouble--it was
pleasure" replied the young man, an,
bowed. And then he kept on bowin
farther and farther. till he tumbled t
the floor and lay still.
Mary kept her head; got water an,
dabbed II on his forehead and iai'
him In an easier position. And the!
she saw wha: she had not noticed be
fore-that his face was pinched an,
While and his cheeks were hollow.
At last he opened his eyes
"rm-I'm dreadfully sorry!" h
stammered. II don't know what wa
the matter with mel Just sort o
tainted. | guess-T'll go now"
you'll do nothing of the sort. Tel
me, how long Is 1t since you've eaten 2
1.-TWO days" confessed the younl
man. 81 have job that will pay m
well. but | don't go to work till tomor
row. and I've been living all this weeI
on loaf OF bread. That's what
wanted the salt fort makes 70,
thirsty and then you drink a LOT o
water. and then you don't feel s.
empty"
Mary's hands were flying anon,
the packages.
You're going to stay and have sur
per with me-" she said calmly. "If /
hadn't been for you l wouldn't hay
oeen able to cook anything. Now yo
'il down and let me tend to my cook
n.y."