The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-04

accommodate the delegates and visitors
and then the supply was almost made
quate to the demand.
1t is estimated that something over
four thousand people from Topeka and
vicinity are attending the convention.
The Rock Island railroad has had ex-
the specials which they have run. 1t
is estimated that nearly 1000 tickets
were sold by the Rock Island and about
the same number by the Santa Fe.
The Union Pacific has not had SO large
a business from Topeka although about
three or four hundred tickets have been
sold.
1t is a motley crowd which throngs
the depot platforms previous to the de-
parture of the excursion trains. Persons
from all ranks and classes of society
are thrown together, and it is an anus
ing sight to the city bred man to sit
and watch the dress and actions of the
people who pass and repass him.
First comes a man who has lived on
a. farm all his life and is perhaps TAX
ing his first ride on the railroad. He
wanders aimlesSly around and finally
finds himself before the ticket window
where the current of the crowd has
drawn him. Now that he is there he
decides to buy a ticket. He first asks
a number of foolish questions much to
the disgust of the ticket seller, before
purchasing the slip OF cardboard which
permits him to ride to his destination.
He secures the ticket and moves away.
He is frustrated and nervous. The
crowds seem to dazzle him and he has
to inquire the Way to the baggage room.
which he finds after much difficuIty and
succeeds in checking his telescope. This
off his mind he has nothing to do but
walk around until train time and oc-
casionally feel in his left inside coat
pocket to make sure that he still has
his ticket secure. The crowd takes an
interest in his actions but he is utterly
obliviouS to its presence. He only
knows and cares that he is going to
Kansas City to attend the Democratic
convention and see Bryan nominated
and he is perfectly happy.
Next is seen a wealthy stock raiser
who takes an active interest in politics
and is perhaps delegate to the con-
yention. He seems to have several
friends with him, for whom he buys
tickets. This man goes to the ticket
window and in business-lilke manner
and with the air of one who is accus-
toned to this sort of thing calls for his
tickets and leaves the window.
1t would be almost impossible to
enumerate the amusing and senseless
questions asked of the ticket sellers.
Most people have an idea that ticket
seller is a sort of information bureau
who is able to answer any question on
any subject from religion to railroad
matters.
Rock Island depot before the excursion
train left this morning. A German of
! unusually large proportions hove in
sight leading q small boy. The boy was
| firecrackers and while his father was
in the Office to procure tickets, amused
| himself by shooting. The boy evident
ly enjoyed the sport and with each re-
port became more daring and finally
was about to put a cracker underneath
the feet of an unsuSpecting person when
his father emerged from the office just
in time to see what his dutiful son was
about to do. Striding up to where the
boy stood the father took the son by
the coat collar and fairly carried him
around to the side of the depot where he
administered the much needed punish
ment
A colored man and two little colored
girls about and 10 years old were try
ing to persuade the people at the Santa
Fe depot this morning to separate
themselves from their assets by max
ing a succession of discordant sounds
on a harp, a guitar and either. The
smaller girl passed around through the
crowd with a cigar box, but their efforts
did not meet with the success hoped
for.