The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-15
THE TRAGEDY OF AN
~ nERxy GENTLEMAN,
apologies to g. B. S.

large office building. It is
lined with q string Of doors, most
or which are numbered and some
Of which bear signs, totems and
varied legends. Enter a Middle
Aged Gentleman in battered silk
hat, long green overcoat, goloshes
and whiskers. He carries an UNI
Drella, several pairs Of spectacles
and q large black book.
THE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
0eering through one pair Of spec
tacles at the first door, while az
liking q second pair Of spectacles)
Audit division--no. that isn't it
passes on to next door Divis-
ton of Cancellation and Readiust-
ment--no, don't think So
Cnext door, Division Of Mail Order
Blanks. Dividends and Refunds
this might be the e-ftimidly
opens the door; q blonde stenog-
fapher, chewing gum, glances
Oarelessly toward him. I beg
pardon, madam--is this Mr.. Bit.
1ensderf's office?
STENOGRAPHER Shifting tlle
gum to her other cheek MOI
never heard of him. CThis closes
the conversation. The elderly
gentleman pursues his quest and
stops at the fourth door, which
IL labeled Division Of German
Marks and Indemnities.
ELDERLY GENTLEDEAN-This
must be the place. Stands by
the door for a few minutes. in
full view of everybody within.
At last tries to attract the atten-
ton of man who is Industrious
" drawing butterflies while watch
ing an exciting game of tit-tat-
toe played by two Of his associa-
tes; eventually succeeds) Beg
pardon, sir--is this the office OF
Mr.. Bliffensderf?
INDUSTRIOUS CITIZEN
Four doors down the corridor
ask in the Information Office.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
Thank you, sir. Nobody pays
any attention to him; he con.
tinues down the corridor to the
door marked Information Office, =
OF which a fierce-looling person
age is in charge.) ia like to see
NR. T9asAea.aa1.p ,nIaM~n
FIERCE PERsoNAGE-Got an
appointment?
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
Yes: I'm afraid I'm a few min
utes late.
FIERCE PERsoNAGE-Does
he work here?
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
understand 20.
FIERCE PEREoNAGE--what
does he do?
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
don't know.
FIERCE PERSoNAGE-well.
I don't think you can see him.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
But / have an appointment
FIERCE PERSoNAGE-whad-
dye want to see him about?
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN-It'S
q personal matter.
FIERCE PERSONAGE--Then-
"a can't see him in office hours.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
But it's Of Importance to the Of.
flee, and he asked me to come.
FIERCE PERsoNAGE-You
better see Mr.. DinglebIitzen.
He's in the other office, nineteen
blocks from here.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
But can't see him?
FIERCE PERsONAGE-Naw.
You gcttsr have an appointment.
Anyhow you couldn't see hin in
office hours. CHE elderly gem
fIennan returns to the corridor,
and by the meregt luck butts into
the right office next and makes
inquiry IL this Mr.. Bliffens-
derfs object
CARE-FREE YOUTH-Yep.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN ~ II
he IN?
CARE-TREE YOUTH-Naw.
ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
Can I wait for him?
CARE-FREE YOUTH-Sure.
GIfteen minutes eIapse)
ELDERLY GENTLEAGAN-Do
you think Mr.. -Bliffensderf viii
be In soon?
CAR E-FREE YoUTH-who.
him? Mol He got sent to Eu-
rope this nnornin'-be gone six
months.
CHE elderly gentleman draws
O bomb from his pocket and
blows mp the placs.)
YHAD a little f1OVeT,
4 IFs name 4UGs Lady Liz:
I lent ft TO a boz0
70 make a trip on biz.
He droVe IL dOsCM TO Richmond.
Then CtCIDeper, and 90,