Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-11-19
He Was Just the
Janitor
BY SIDNEY VI. wILDHoLT


L pository of joys and sorrows. fail
ures and successes. news and gossip,
fact and fancy guardian of trines
and of treasures remained open con-
stantly for the deposit of that eternal
food OF ilotsam aud ietsam crudely
cassed under the one head-mail.
The church clock opposite had
tolled the long strokes Of midnight
later wanderer. through the slot la
heled letters gently slid long thin
envelope. Deep in personal musings,
or else a little sleeny from a long and
lonely sessios In bleak and empty
office--he haa not observed one who
! was watching him with wide-eyed in
tensity.
! She was huddled In a corner as
though cold 4 woman, just woman
young, probably under thirty.
"You-you do that yery-very care
lessly."
i The absorbed young man wheeled
curiously. DO what?n
I "She smiled ralely not answering at
once. "Supposs' she asked another
question, suppose what'd you do II
you wanted II back?"
lie stared AT her, not comprehend
ing. "Eh?"
"The letter. A mistake. II you
wanted 1t back--?'
ooh" he shrugged Put don't.
3 Though ! suppose II | aid-lotta red
tape" he mumbed incoherently,
turning away.
"Isn't-isn't there someone-some
one. some clerk or other | can--isn't
there anyone in the post Office nowf'I
she pleaded in low, hurried tones.
| He twisted his mouth toward her In
brief accommodation "Just the jani-
tor, madam"
, The janftor came out of his seclu-
sion to mop. He said nothing, but he
had noted that twice she had paused
before the letter-slot.
Going back through the murky
gloom of mailbags, he had passed, last,
the huge canvas basket that caught
and held the offerings. He was pass
ing Just in time To. see letter pro,
iected partly through and drawn hasti-
~ out again and then. with a sudden
abandon, was pushed violently in.
And then. through the narrow slot
came the slender fingers of a woman's
hand-and as quickly as they had
wrigged ia, the fingers withdrew.
But, these episodes over the iani-
tor did not hear the plaintive aceost-
ing of the stranger in the post office,
nor did he hear his own unobtrusive
position in life SO summarly de-
scrlbed: Just the ianltor"
Yet the woman waited and waited
i The ianitor came hack, lighting lights
and making sure all was ready for the
night shift. AS he came by window
in the wall of lock boxes he saw the
woman still standing out there. On
a vague prete st. 10 soothe his duti.
full conscience, he went out. 1t was
as he dimIy suspected-she spoke.
"When--what time--how soon'll
these letters be picked out and sent"
So that was It! I'm lessn half n
hour, ma'am. Them letters II be sent
ny intu, NPu Httth WILL
none" he added
But she said, isn't there some
way--cant you get mea Ietter?'
or course. he misunderstood. "Sorry,
MN. I'm the ianitor-we never
handles no mall. It'll be In the morn
ings delivery, sure"
But, just mailed a letter here
by mistake. II want to get it back"
YOU'D best Send another letter
ma'am. explainin' -
81 can't" she objected, almost
angrily "This-,ts blue envelope
small-addressed toto Mr.-Mr.
LangIand Can't you get it back for
me? It's mine"
The janitor voiced a cruel truth.
mot now. It's his" Then an after
thought list to your husband?'
mo, but wish it was. Oh, L
wish it wasr
The old4nIan was troubled I'm just
the janitore' he numbed.
Swiftly Nshe sought his confidence.
NY husband VAS neglectful-this
man, this other nan. was studously
attentive. I came here tonight, with
letter, telling into come but
but" she choE ed, overcome with
mingled repentance and fear AS
long as I had my hands on It. this
letter l FELT brave determined
waited Notwithstanding Then, II
pushed it Inland you must believe
me-the moment II left my hand 1t
seemed as If was letting go Of Jim,
good steady Jim, whose strong hand"
she broke down into convulsive sobs.
"Then--I knew. IL want it back"
The janitor shook his CRAVING head.
without word, dimIy bordering, he
plodded back through the inner
office, and stopped beside the canvas
basket. and hastily. reached in and
drew it out Behind him door opened
and closed voice. that of Fenton--