Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-12-21
The Pomfax
Complex
BY AID ScHUsTER


I'D WYLlE was leaning on II cigar
IL counter at the corner store In a
suburban business section when
Colonel PomfaX entered Immediately
store, counter, and assorted smokes
disappeared under the influence Of the
imposing figure. Where the colonel
stood, there centered attention. Ed
looked and wondered.
A huge man was Colonel Pomfax
and magnificent one. He walked
with the air of conqueror. spoke
with the boom of Roman orator, and
gestured with the ease of an actor.
Without pauslng for the request, the
cigar dealer showed forward his most
pretentious box ana the colonel, as IL
bestowing favor, made his selection.
It was only when the colonel had
walked away, the cigar man remem-
bered he had not been paid.
He'll come back. He's man Of
big business and he simply did not
think" the dealer explained. "That,"
and he spoke lmpressIvely for Eds
information, sis Colonel Tallman p.
Pomfaxw
"Yes--and what does that mean2
What does he do for a living"
The cigar man was exasperated
"He spends his money. Wealthy,
stocks and bonds, big deals. why, n
hundred dollars looks no bigger to
him than tobacco tag on a box car.
I'm proud to have him customer.
Helps business whether he forgets to
pay or not"
AS the man talked Eds eyes were
on the figure OF the colonel making
Its way up the avenue. Where had he
seen the walk, the incompatible
bearing, before? Surely there should
be no difficulty In remembering, for n
man like Pomfax was not the kind to
forget.
In time Ed discovered there was no
one among speaking acquaintance Of
the magnificent POmfax who knew
anything concerning the mans busl-
ness.
whenever fellow pulls the grand
stun too heavy" the lad reflected,
"and whenever he keeps his Job a
secret, smell rat. I'm going to
look Into this thing"
SO Ed made 1t a point to follow
the colonel as the latter joumeyed
to the city each morning. 1t was not
an easy job, for Pomfax went directly
to hotel, entered an elevator and dis.
appeared. From his seat In the lobby
Ed watched the elevator, but the man
did not come down.
"If | have to stay here all day." he
decided, "I'll find out what It IL all
about" SO he remained on watch I'M.
I'll dusk but not once did he see his
man. That evening when lie stopped
In at the store there was the colonel
In some way he had given Ed the slip,
and the lad wondered, for the first
time, II Pomfax suspected he was be.
Ing followed
II was week later when the lad
made his discovery. CHANGING by the
hotel he gave casual attention to n
man who had been MS much n figure
there as the columns beside the door
In respondent uniform, which only
encouraged the pompous demeanor,
a door man stood In the color and
glory OF a comic opera general. Yet
this man had n mOustache and mutton
chop whiskers. Ed stared, walked
around the man, watched him as he
moved about his duties, and made up
his mind. Then he retreated TO soda
fountain to think.
whats the use OF telling he old
boy I'm on to his game? He Is en-
joying himself In his uniform and In
his role OF millionaire out In Elmslde.
playing the part Of magnIhcence every
day has got under his skin and he
can't help II. or course. he wouldn't
want II known he was door man
and so the makeup. | don't know but
l like the old boy the better for It..
There IL something tragic. too, in the
pretense Of wealth on door mans
salary" This and more I'D was think
Ing even after he left the soda counter
and walked up the street. Then he
met the colonel, the colonel Of street
clothes.
"COme with me-" POmfax said
"YOu have been following me and
know my secret. Quick r.
The colonel summoned taxlcab
and the wondering Ed was taken to
Emslde while Pomfnx explained how
he had escaped his follower In the
lobby by using the employees lift,
once he was In his Uniform The taxi
drew up In front OF large house
and Ed was ushered into home OF
wealth. The colonel, saying little, en-.
JOyed his guests bewlderment, insist
ed upon being host to dinner, and add
ed to his triumph.
but what does II mean1" gasped
Ed.
ut means you have discovered I am
a door man." said Pomfax, land that
you drew the wrong conclusion. In
another age, would be general or
an admiral. Talk to the psychologists
or to anyone. you wish, but the answer
is | have enough money to satisfy my
wishes and / have always yearned for
buttons and braid. Now you have II,
will you keep stlllT
"Yes," said the boy who was sllll
seeking to rearrange his thoughts ~
will"