The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-10


moments he was deeply engaged with the
letters and the order book. Suddenly he
jumped in his chair at the sound of an eZ-
piosive voice that seemed to come from
one of the adjoining rooms. Some one was
talking at the top of his voice, so Larkin
leaned back and listened.
Mr.. Bobby Allen, the well known
comic singer, will now render his latest
success, entitled He Has Whiskers Made
of Hay -
Well. we'll, - murmured Larkin.
Then there came from the same hidden
region a mighty burst of song. The singer
was apparently one of those music hall
wonders who can come on the stage at
1880 and drown all the other noises on the
promises.
The lusty song ran something after this
fashion:
I'm dandy man. as you can see,
Dressed in the latest sty-ale.
The ladies' hearts are sure to break
When on them I do sIni- ale.
My life would be all sunshine
And I would 'er be gay
IF the boys didn't yell as I walked past,
He has whislEers made Of hay
Whiskers made of hay-y-y,
Whiskers made of hay-y-y.
Oh, when they see that bunch
The horses want to lunch
On them whiskers made Of hayl
'sThat's the worst I ever heard, - said
But he was not to escape SO easily. The
invisible Bobby Allen almost immedi-
ately broke into a second verse, which, if
such a thing could be possible, was more
wildly idiotio than the first. Larkin
ohewed his pen and listened to the second
verse and the chorus, the latter being
varied sufficiently to give the Information
that the man with the whiskers was fire.
quently mistaken for a goat.
I suppose that fellow is rehearsing for
some entertainment said Larkin. 81
hope he doesn't take it into his head to re-
hearse very often. That must be the la
test popular song. It's bad enough to be
popular. -
1t was perhaps two minutes later when
Larkin heard the following annOuneement
made in a loud voice, Mr.. Bobby Allen,
the well known comic singer, viii now
render his latest success, entitled He Has
Whiskers Made of Hay -
Now what in thunderq' exclaimed
Larkin
Then that calliope voice again, this time
with piano accompaniment:
I'm dandy man, as you can see,
Dressed in the latest sty- ale.
The ladies' hearts are sure to break
When on them do smi-ale.
My life would be, etc.
Once more the singer went through two
verses, this time repeating the chorus after
on the table and wondered what kind of
plnoe he had moved into.
The whole Building had relapsed into
absolute silence, and no sound could be
heard except the broken rumble of Madi-
son street, and even that was much soft
ened by distsnoe. Larkin reflected that
If he were at all superstitious he might
conclude that q variety performer had been
murdered in the old building at one time
or another and had now returned in spirit
to make life miserable for the tenants.
1t did not seem possible that any sane
man would be bawling comic songs in
such a manner merely for his own enter
tainment. Larkin knew there was no au-
dience present. Even on the suppOsitiOn
that the well known comic singer was
rehearsing a new song there seemed to be
no possible excuse for the announcement
each time.
"There must be a private lunatio asylum
in this building" That was Barkin's
conclusion as he nervOusly began to make
the entries in his order book Before he
had written six lines the entertainment
was resumed.
s. comic story entitled 'Casey's Trou-
bles By the well known comedian, Eddie
Farrell, r was the announcement.
Larkin groaned ia spirit, but he had 90
sit back and listen. The story was in
Irish dialect, Of the kind that is heard on
the stage:
''Oi wuz wockin down Clark strate this
marnin, Whin OF met me old frind Mool-
cahy. Siz he, 'Oi WIZ down to your
house Yesterday Siz OF, Why the divil
didn't 70 COON IMP An, siz be, Sure Oh
don't know where ye Iivep VIII, sir, OF
niver see such a mon as MOOlcahy, etc
Larkin was something Of an Irishman
himself, and this style Of entertainment
won't against the grain. He was mad,
vsxed and puzzled. Not only was he dis
traoted from his work and pestered by
continuous show, but he was beginning
to doubt the evidence of his own senses
That story teller went ahead IN high sing
song voice for several minutes, telling bad
ie -es, and then be turned in and told
them all over again.
Maybe I won't see the agent Of this
building tonightF' exclaimed Larkin,
throwing down his pen and pacing excit-
eddy up and down the room.
Another announcements was being
made, g Mr.. Bobby Allen, the well known
comic singer, win now render his latest
success, entitled He Has Whiskers Made
of Hay p
This was the last straw. Larkin bolted
into the hallway and pounded against the
door Of the first room across the hallway
Sayr' he yelled.
The singing continued, but a big man in
his shirt sleeves opened the door a few
inches and SAID. Sh4 Keep sui IHe1e-
What the matter with You People2"
'Shl Sht"
Larkin pushed his way into the room.
There was the singer. a small, baldheaded
man, standing in front Of a big photograph
funnel, into which he was shouting his
lines. There were Photographs on tables
all around the room. Larkin understood
the situation, and he retreated without Of
fering a word of explanation He went to
his room and put on his overcOat- As he
came into the hallway the latest success"
was once more being announced. The
agent Of she building said tie phonograph
people had q lease
well, % said Larlzin, ST wouldn't stay
II that room al day Tor $50. III move