The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-01
MIR. EGNEW AND THE BUG

LFrom the Indianapolis Sentinel
Before James w. Egnew, chief clerk
of the bureau of statistics, came to the
city ne lived in the modest town OF l-agro
in Wabash county. On his native heath
Mr.. EgneW cut considerable ice. He had
a nice horse and buggy, played the or
gan II the cnurcn occaSlonaily sang II
the choir and had his clothes made by
a Fort Wayne tailor.
When Mr.. Egnew received his APP
pointment to the Office he now holds
great many of his friends went to the
depot to see him off. They gave him
the glad hand and many predicted that
sooner or later he would fall a victim
to the governors chair. Mr.. EgneW
bore his honors modestly and did not
blush as he bid farewell to a bevy or
Lagro's fairest. Six months passed be-
fore he returned to the scene of his boy
hood days He beamed IN on the al
miring populace one Saturday evening
and until after midnight entertained his
neighbors with stories Of his life in IN
dianapolis.
The next evening services were held in
the church and when Mr.. Egnew en-
tered he was Immediately surrounded by
a bunch Of his friends who prevailed
upon him to play the organ. He tried to
make an excuse, but there was no escape
and like a lamb he was led unwillingly
to the slaughter. The first hymn, shall
We Gather at the River?'' is one Of Mr..
EgneW's favorites and he played the
music in a way that made the windows
rattle.
Hes in great FORM" said the brunette
soprano of the choir.
Indeed he is" replied the blonde con-
Following the prayer the minister in
hymn. 1.-The congregation, said he, will
please unite in singing No. S24, go Seek
and Ye Shall Find"
Mr.. Egnew played the prelude and the
dience to arise, when something out of the
ordinary happened. The music stopped for
a moment and when the people raised
matter
they were astonished at the wild, hag-
gard look on the face of the organist
With one hand he was vainly endeavoring
he cII5fcbed AZ Iis; fhrost as though he
would choke The lady members of the
choir looked at him in such a reproach-
full sort of way that he made mighty
effort to continue playing.
go seek and ye- sang the congre-
cation.
from the keys and once more made a
grab at his shirt front. Great beads of
the wild look about his eyes caused the
digniffed brunette to move a. few feet fur
HAS our Jimmy acquired bad habits
during his stay in the city2" asked one
Of the members of the church of an
II am sure I don't know replied his
peculiar
go seek and ye-' started the congre-
Once more Egnew faced the instrument.
this time with a do-or-die look on his
race. He soon took up his cue and man.
aged to play the first verse through. Then
as the minister read the text Egnew,
without a word of explanation, left his
seat and ran behind the organ, followed
by several members of the choir.
What in the world is the matter?'' ex-
claimed one of the young women.
Good heavens, look at this Without
further ado he tore open his shirt and
drew from his bosom a black, squirting
pinching bug fully inch in length The
bug had secured a good hold, however.
and when Egney tore it lose from his
body he was forced to yell. With some-
thing that sounded strangely like d
he threw the bug the floor while the
young women stood about and Uttered.
Mr.. EgneW returned to the organ fin
ished the music and after services ex-
planned his actions. Then he was the hero
of the hour and his reputation was saved.