The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-27
WHAT IT'S ALL LIKE.
Becky Sharp Goes to the Atch-
ison Carnival.
MEETS THE AUTHOR OF IT

yesterday.
When I managed to get through the
crowd and start to follow the brass
bands up the street. the first thing saw
was an immense sign stretched entirely
across Third street which said: "lf you
don't see what you want ask for it"
But 1 had no occasion to ask for any
thing. In Atchison yesterday it was a
case of receiving without asking and it
was the first time 1 ever went on an ex-
cursion and did not spend penny, not
even for car fare.
With a number of other people, who
had with me like prediction for news
paper people and their haun.s, found
my way to the Globe Office, to call on
MIR. Ed Howe, the author, newspaper
writer and cynic We found Mr.. Howe's
office profusely decorated, red ears of
corn predominating.
1t was said that Mr.. Howe had earlier
in the day distributed red ears of corn as
souvenirs to each lady visitor to the
Globe office, but the supply was ex-
hausted. A branch from a cotton plant
labeled "The Late King" was conspic-
uous among the Globe Office decorations.
The eight-page carnival edition Was
Just out, and Mr.. Howe's new perfecting
press was on exhibition. Miss Frances
Garside, one of the brightest newspaper
women in the west, and now associate
editor of the Globe, was dispensing
cordial hospitality and distributing
badges and rosettes of corn husks to
visitors But Mr.. Howe was nowhere to
be seen. Not he Mr.. Howe is referred
to as cynical and not enthusiastic, but if
SC hot
other warns the cookies of Mr.. Howe's
heart it is brass band.
1t was even indeed rumored yesterday
that MIR. Howe found many a kind word
for Marshalps band though. it is said, he
never says kind things of other Topeka
productions.
At any rate Mr.. Howe knew how to
be most courteous to Topeka people, and
when we finally found him up at Turner's
Garden, reveling in his favorite amuse-
ment. a band concert, he cordially
grasped our hands, smiling broadly.
isn't this all right?
''What do you really think of it?
care you having a good time?
is there anythingwe can do for your"
We're among the questions that followed
each other quickly.
Being assured that we thought the
Corn carnival a credit to the town, Mr..
Howe said. This is my idea of cele brat.
ing. We've something to celeb rate4 for.
"How did we manage it? Oh. the
Globe just suggested and then kept
booming it.
Isn't that a great exhibit" pointing
10 the miniature car of the Burlington
road with real people riding in it. The
exterior was composed entirely OF CORN
"Here, get On this special Car, provided
for IF al tbesF1 >
and MIR. Howe helped the party on to a
special electric, Car, furnishing tickets
for all the crowd himself.
This car, we learned sold seats at
fifty cents hour and would run up
and down Commercial street till the fes-
tivities had ceased
MIR. Howe seemed as pleased as a boy
at his first circus, and watched the crowd
and the exhibits with an interested ex-
preston, now and then jumping off to go
and shake hands with some one whom he
recognized in the crowd. getting on again
as the car came back. He talked about
everything in pleased manner, most anx-
ious to know if people liked the carnival,
and Dragged of the superiority Of Atchi-
sons new electric line aud the enterprise
of her people in getting up a corn carni-
val.
Mr.. Howe was in reality the mikado of
the whole affair, and this fact was appar-
ent to d quiet observer.
When the car arrived on one of its
trips at Third street it was to Mr.. Howe
that Mr. w, P. Waggener, the mayors
son, and president OF the lambeau club
appealed to have the car turn down a
side street out of the way, while the club
started to give its display.
But MIR. Howe is very modest man.
and he did not even wear one of the
numerous badges.
After alighting from the car met Sen
ator Ingalls,; he carried his inevita BILE
light Overcoat on one arm and tin horn
in his hand, which he footed as vigorous
ly and vociferously as boy of ten.
He said "Howdydo- haing good time:
that's right. Atchison belongs to the
visitors. o yes, Pm having a good
time. too I'm going down to salins
to speak tomorrow, bat I could not leave
Till this cele bration was over
You are not masked, MIR, Inralls?"
"Oh no; l couldn't disguise myself if
wanted to; do you think could?"
Then MIR. ingalls, laughed at his OWL
joke. and went down the street walking
so erect that the smooth back of his ia.
miliar grey suit wrinkled between the
shoulders.
At the corner of Fourth street Captain
John Seaton said: "How do you do, ri ss
Becky. You are never going TO leave
town without seeing my theater" anc
then the party were shown through the
beautiful remodeled Atchison theater
Captain Seaton's boast that it is the
prettiest theater in the state is vel
grounded.
There is not even a theater in Kansa:
City that equals it in point of beauty.
"And" resumed Captain Seaton. "I'vt
got the best manager in the state. too,
and the crowd were pleased to take Dir
Ernest Brigham by the hand.
Mr. Brigham says that Kansas people
pack the house at dollar and a half ;
seat to see good attractions.
Ex-Lieutenant Governor A. ]. Felt wa.
smiling and shaking hands with the
crowd that had accepted the offered hos
pitality of the Champion Office. and read
ing proof between times, not forgetting