The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1892-12-13
APECULIAR EXPERIENCE.
Is Kansas infested With Moon.
sinners or With Bootleg
gers?

one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-two, / awOke in the city of
Atchison, Kansas, with only fifteen
cents in my pockets. Fifteen cents
with which to celebrate that day Of
DAYS which is Americas alone. After
expending that l. cents for a break
fast, sat me down to think; and |
determined, that any town that was 80
confoundedly dull and dead, a. To
allow free American born citizen,
who was willing and able to work, but
who could get no work, to wake up
on the day we celebrate, with only ID
cents in his pockets, was good town
to leave. But it was a holiday and
all places of business were closed. 80
how could ! leave, Jump train |
had never done such a thing in my
life and | did not know how. Where
would | go? To the nearest large city,
and that was Topeka. Topeka was
only 81 miles away, and | felt conf
dent that could walk that distance
in ten hours at the farthest.
SO | started. Took the ''Shanks-
mare" accommodation from AtchisOn
to Topeka. The first seventeen miles
did not seem very long. and these
brought me to Nortonville. And it
was between Nortonville and the next
station, Valley Falls, that was
treated to my peculiar experience.
| had not left Nortonville more
than a mile behind me. when, As /
rounded curve and the tracks
Strengthened out before me, espied
an individual ahead walking forward
slowly and YEARLY. When | over
took HIM he turned his face toward
me. In and instant / read the chap
ter to the end. The face at one time
must have been extremely handsome,
for even then, regardless of the weeks
growth of beard upon his face, his
mustachee had the graceful curve of
care; and although the eyes were
somewhat bleary, the fire of intel
ligence and education still shore forth
with no uncertain fame. The face
though bloated from indulgence in al
coholic beverages, still retained a
contour which many might wish to
possess. And his clothes though worn
and dusty, were distinct reminders of
better days. Although he was collar
less, and his shirt was soiled and his
shoes badly worn, nevertheless there
was an air of calm resignation about
him, which vet commanded the re-
spect which once his distinguished air
was bound to receive. But when he
spoke, ali! that was the culmina-
Ton.
In voice so sweet and mellow, still
unframed by the ravages of alcohol,
with something in it of that mag
netic, attractive quality which never
has been, and l believe. never can be
described, he asked of me the simple
question How do YOU do, sir ? are
you travelling far To which ] re-
piled IL am going to Topeka if my
feet and shoes hold out" To this he
gave quiet little laugh and asked :
"Do YOU ever drink-that Is whisky
To which replied in the affirmative.
He then asked me if ] had any about
me, and upon my replying in the neg
alive, he seemed to be depressed with
disappointment tor a moment, only an
instant, when he cheerfully CALCULATED:
ooh, well! it is only about two miles
further, and a. you cannot possibly
get to Topeka to-day, and will need
some place to sleep tonight, in order
to be out of the dew, YOU had better
go with me. You will he sure of a
good stiff drink, and something 10 eat
and place to sleep-what do you
say, will you come along
This was little startling. but. AT
the same time, welcome information,
and when | perceived the sun was
getting low, and as | trudged along
further now fatigued | was becoming.
gladly accepted the offer made TO
me, but explained nv hesitancty by
stating that his rather abrupt invita-
ton, coming as unexpected as il did,
puzzled me for moment.
''Oh, well, l suppose it did" he
said, ''but YOU zee ! am crazy for
drink. and that desire is 50 strong in
my mind that it supersedes all Others.
So if nv talk should be little ramh-
ling and loose. | wish you would over
look bad breaks. The place to which
will take You is the farm of an uncle
of mine. by rather round about and
distant way. Sandy is very peculiar
and Is no, much of "A talker. When
We arrive at his farm, will introduce
you and do all the talking at the out
set. If he invites us to drink then
you may rest assured that he likes
you, and YOU can ''pipe" away as
much as you wish. If he says nothing
about drinks within fifteen minutes
after We 600 him that will indicate