The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-14
Stories of an Inland State.

When the Honorable James T. Althum
had called at the postofice at Stogs Cen
ter the first week after the election, he ha
received numerous documents and letter
all pertaining to his new Office. Amon
these documents was letter containing
printed form wrapped UP in which was
pink card with an instruction to an imasin
AIRY person to pass THE Hon. James 7
Allthums between all stations within tn
state" This pink paste-board pass was ;
source of constant joy to James Allthums
| lie read it over with great care many time
| day. 1t was mot transferable" Thi
he regarded as terrible phrase, and sus
gesfed to his mind innocent travellers I'm
| able to prove their identity being put of
! the train at midnight between stations. H,
| read over the agreement on the back which
! derlared plainly that the railroad company
1 would no. be liable for damage tc the per
| son using the same" or to his damage
| Reading which lie mentally resolved Il
| carry as little baggage as possible in order
| not to let the railroad beat him too much il
| he and his baggage should be smashed tc
| sm;thereens.
But James T. AIlthums wanted to go to
| Chicago first, not TO the state capital. Blu,
! the pass did nos WELD its magic power out
SIDE the state. James T. Allthums wen,
to the state capital to see the railroad of
| fetal who had sent him the pass and ask
ed for another to Chicago and return. The
railroad official was sorry, but the inter-
state commerce law, or something, did not
permit the road to give passes outside the
state lines. James Allthums told this to
the Boss who had taken an unusual liking
to the yooly member from Thorn county.
The Boss went out of his Office for a quar-
.xaf o,,l hoo xrx-itI !,
pass reading to Chicago and return.
Armed with this Allthums, the honorable,
started for Chicago.
His mission there involved a duty which
nc had long felt pressing upon him but
which he had never found time TO fulfill.
1t should be said that he had one relative, a
nephew-the only orphan son of his sister
Nell 1t was to hunt this boy up in Chica-
go and to bring him back out Of the city to
the freedom of the cow ranch that he start
ed for Chicago.
James Allthums understood that ne lack
ed those civilized touches which prevent q
man from being 'jay." He d;d not know
how to act in large city. He knew that
every step, every glance, every word Of
his would be a blazing, red-lettered adver-
tisement of his rural and "jay'' origin.
He was able to detect many Of his dis
crepancies himself. He had noticed that
his old pipe in the smoking apartment Of
the Pullman sleeper was In bad odor figu-
ratively and literally and he discarded It
and smoked cigars which to his mind
'smelt worse" When he failed to under
stand the mechanism Of the lavatory In the
car he watched closely for some ono else
who was not Jay to work it frs. and
then followed suit. When he had secured
y. y,n
the bar of soap. There was none He
washed without soap and kept a close
watch. Presently a gentleman" not
'jay," began washing and turned a little
crank to a nickle-plated instrument on the
wall and the soap poured cut powdered.
All these things Allthums could see. These
were patent. He could guard himself in
the little matters, What he feared was
that there was look In his eyes and an
action to his legs and twang to his talk
that proclaimed him for-well what he real.
ly was.
There was a kindly old gentleman In the
smoking apartment Of the sleeper with him
the first night out, and all but Allthums
and this old man had gone to their herths.
They remained smoking and the cid mar.
became inQuisit.ve.
Where do you hail from7" he asked
Al.tt ums.
The big brawny vesterner blushed and
named his state.
All this is pretty strange to your ask
ed the kindly old gentleman.
Allthums told him everythingLit was
strange-he wished It was not se-he want
ed TO be as good as the best-he didn't ike
to be sized up for a steer-if he were a
steer he would be on a slow freight In a
box car. He would be more at home there
1t was true. but still this was more COM
Portable If 1t were not for the embarrass-
ment.
You are going to pretty big city," sus-
gested the old man, discovering that Chi
caso was his destination
And you will find yourself more unhap-
PLY prominent there than you are here In
this car" added the old man.
But how can help it?' asked AlIthums,
II I were you / wouldn't help tits
bizarre-strange. you know, TO be as you
are. I'd aggravate 1t, II were you. 1t
relieves the everlasting false polish that
people In cities see SO much Of and would
amuse people. interest them, too. They
might laugh at you, of course, but that Is
would never see the same
man twice.
But Allthums aid not want to be laughed
at, and ne told the old man so.
Then there is one thing for you to prac-
tice up on" said the old man. "A big
city is an aggregation of selves. Selfish
ness predominates over everything. A
mans business is his own. No one knows
ii but himself. A mans Joy is his own.
No one should interfere. This precludes
sympathy, curiosity and sociability. Elirni-
nate sympathy, curiosity and socia bility
from your nature and no one can tell but
what you are city born and bred Crush
down your anxiety 10 look at the high build
nss; they can only concern the tenants.
The owner and the mortgage company; il
you meet IN street car two friends enjoy
Ing their jokes do not overhear. Be deaf.
Their fuD Is their own. If you should be
sitting in a restaurant and a waiter should
drop t,ayful of dishes behind you keep
On eating. Do not look up. Your first
impulse will be to render aid That is
lay" Pay no attention. They will dock
the waiter three days pay but his troubles
are his own. They are not yours
Allthums smiled The waiter and the
fallen tray amused him most. He would
be ''cityfied'' according to the old mans
BE blind except to your footsteps. deaf
except Tor your own safety and insens!ble
except for your own comfort" concluded
the old gentleman. and you will be city
fed enough. God knows"
The next day Allthums as he entered the
great depot, proceeded 10 carry out the old
mans instructions. He got in the crowd
on the street and was carried along with il.
He stole furtive elances az the high build
ings. listened with alarm at the various
street bells and cries but took no heed He
had arrived al 3 o'clock and az 4 after
ainless rushing about. decided 10 eat. He
entered & restaurant-on a ground floor