Arizona -- Fiction; Grand Canyon (Ariz.) -- Fiction; Western stories
Enoch folded the note and slipped it into his pocket, then he looked at
the waiting Director. "I hope you'll excuse me, Whipple, but this is
something to which I must give my personal attention," and without a
word further, he put on his hat and walked out of the office. He did
not go to his waiting carriage but, leaving the building by another
door, he walked quickly to the drug store on the corner and, entering a
telephone booth, called the railroad station. The train connecting for
the Southwest had left an hour before. Enoch hung up the receiver and
walked out to the curb, scowling and striking his walking stick against
his trouser leg. Finally he got aboard a trolley.
It was a little after three o'clock in the morning when Jonas located
him. Enoch was leaning against the wall watching the roulette table.
"Good evening, boss," said Jonas.
Enoch looked round at him. "That you, Jonas? I haven't touched a card
or a dollar this evening, Jonas."
Jonas, who had already ascertained this from the owner of the gambling
house, nodded.
"Have you had your supper yet, boss?"
Enoch hesitated, thinking heavily. "Why, no, Jonas, I guess not."
Then he added irritably, "A man must rest, Jonas. I can't slave all
the time."
"Sure!" returned the colored man, holding his trembling hands behind
him. "But how come you to think this was rest, boss? You better come
back now and let me fix you a bite to eat."
"Jonas, what's the use? Who on earth but you cares what I do? What's
the use?"
"Miss Diana Allen," said Jonas softly, "she told Mr. Abbott this noon,
at lunch, that you was one of the great men of this country and that he
was a lucky dog to spend all his time with you."
Enoch stood, his arms folded on his chest, his massive head bowed.
Finally he said, "All right, old man, I'll try again. But I'm lonely,
Jonas, lonely beyond words, and all the greatness in the world, Jonas,
can't fill an empty heart."
"I know it, boss! I know it!" said Jonas huskily, as he led the way to
the street. There, Enoch insisted on walking the three or four miles
home.
"All right," agreed Jonas, cheerfully. "I guess ghosteses don't mind
travel, and that's all I am, just a ghost."
Enoch stopped abruptly, put a hand on Jonas' shoulder and hailed a
passing night prowler. Once in the cab, Jonas said:
"The White House done called you twice to-night. Mr. Secretary. I
told 'em you'd call first thing in the morning."
"Thanks!" replied Enoch briefly.
The house was silent when they reached it. Jonas never employed
servants who could not sleep in their own homes. By the time the
Secretary was ready for bed, Jonas appeared with a tray, Enoch silently
and obediently ate and then turned in.
The White House called before the Secretary had finished breakfast.
"You saw last night's papers?" asked the President.
"No! I'm sorry. I--I took a rest last evening."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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