Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-11-08
SEEING MRS. GODFBEY OFF.
The Things They Do and Say u Rail-
road Ststi0n.Pa rtiugs.

DO we ever say more idOtic things
than when we 60 to railroad stations
to zee our friends off? Do our faces
ever look more vacuous than when We
hurl our last lmbecile remarks in at
the car windows? Do we ever make
feebler jokes or more imbrue our ad.
vice in commonplace? think not.
Mrs. Godfrey in cheering woman,
and she has. been heard 10 say that
she was proud Of her friends; but do
not think she was proud Of them
yesterday when they gathered in the
Union station 10 bid her farewell be-
fore she left for Honolulu. Neither
did she herself shine with any partic-
ular lusler. We were gathered in the
women's waiting room when she came
in. After she had greeted us all.
bought her ticket and sent man
down to check her baggage, a most
appalling silence fell on the group.
You'll write 10 me before you get
to San Francisco, won't you?" Mai
garet DeaMe said with the most in
tense fervor.
"Oh, OF course" Mrs, Godfrey an
swered. The six other friends ex-
acted the same promise.
Another silence fell, broken by Mac
Donald. will you have to change
cars?' he asked anxlousy. Mac
Donald thinks MO more of crossing
the continent than he does of buying
cigar, but he adj d: Its the deuce
to change cars, you know"
mo, | don't have to change cars Till
l get to Frisco" Mrs. Godfrey said
This remark was hailed as joke and
we all laughed uproarously.
"You are the joliest woman!" little
wakefield said, admiringly. "Well oil
miss you awfully.'
A chorus of regrets arose. Mrs
| Godfrey said that we must remember
| that she was coming back in the
spring.
"And then you'll be our Honolulu
queen" the infant said.
Now, don't get the plague" sweet
| old Mrs. Chisholm said, land have
you got my belladonna plasters for
seasickness? And have you got those
tablets? They are so good If you'll
you feel bilious, and"
MRS. Godfrey, you ought to have
some dried beef to chew If you get
seasck," Macdonald said. Everybody
now offered sure cure for seasick-
ness, and Mrs. Godfrey pretended that
she would buy them all in San Fran
cisco.
Another silence fell on the company.
II wonder what time you get to Oma-
ha," Margaret Deane asked. MIS-
Godfrey didn't know nor care, but
Wakefield and Macdonald got a fold
er and spent several minutes in fixing
the exact minute. We then held a
short argument on the best position
for a berth. Before this question. in
which nobody felt the slightest inter-
est, was settled, Wakefield discovered
that Vt was time to 60 down to the
train.
The women all squealed al tins an
nouncement; the men fought cour'
teousy for the privilege Of carrying
Mrs. Godfrey's hand luggage. We all
went into the car with her. The men
shook hands with Mrs. Godfrey and
the women kissed her damply be-
tween sobs.
snow, do write to us ALL" Mrs
| Chisholm said, land remember abou,
the helladonna plaster
"Yes, do write often and tell us ali
about the Sandwich Islands, the
chorus cried. neutrality-suspicious."
| We filed out of the car and then
gathered in a knot under Mrs. God
frey'swndow. We wiped our eyes and
smiled out. Don't get married while
you are gone" the infant said in a
sudden accession Of idiocy.
Mrs. Godfrey laughed and Wakefield
and Macdonald looked at the infant
as IL they desired ardently to eat her
bones, picture, hat and all. Mrs
Chisholm said that marriage was a
lottery. Nobody disputed this, and
Margaret changed the subject by ask
ing if Mrs. Godfrey was sure she had
her ticket and her check.
The traveller showed them to us. II
was time for the train TO move. We
| Ill said again, "Good-bye-be sure to
take care of yourself. Don't forget TO
write" and those other senseiess
things that people say through car
windows.
Mrs. Godfrey smiled and said Good
bye, goodbye
The train moved out OF the shed and
we were turning away when the nfant
had CLEAN Of lucidlty. why, Mr.
Macdonald, you forgot To give mel
that box of candy, and Mr.. Wakefield
has rot his roses in his hands YETI
The two men looked first foolish,
then vicious. Mrs. Chisholm dived
into her rticule and set up loud
| wall "And | forgot to give her the
belladonna plasters." She turned 70
the infant, Here, dear, you take
them. They'll be real convenient
when you go to school this fall" :,
"Thank you," the infant returned
rl1.. &ou,ord Wakp.