The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-30

and substituted fair grounds for ''su-
burbs." In making this substitution he
was not aware that the city authorities
had for some time maintained a. small
poX pest house in the fair grounds.
However, Mares ignorance in this
particular did not extend to the other
members of the family, who had daily
read the smallpox news in the Topeka
papers. CONSERVATION seized the house
hold when the telegram was received,
for the father and the mother and the
brother unanimously agreed that Mare
had been attacked by the dread disease
and was coming nome for treatment
There was no other solution. There was
the terrible news, put as gently as pos
sible on yellow Western Union slip;
Meet me at the fair grounds with
blanket"
A council of war was held, and it was
decided that the scion of the family
should not be sent to the common pest
house at the fair grounds. Mrs. Rob
bins suggested iSOlating one room IN the
house, and lost no time in carrying out
her suggestion. It was decided that
Fred the brother should go to the Santa
Fe junction in South Topeka, where the
united family supposed Mare intended
to drop off the train and make a snort
cut to the fair grounds.
The next afternoon Mares brother
took a hack and drove to the Santa Fe
junction He had with him one of his
mothers best blankets, as requested in
the telegram. Inc AFTERNOON train CAME
along, slowed up for the junction, and
then proceeded on its way to the depot.
Marc did not drop off. The brother won
dered at this but quickly decided that
the actor member of the family might
be too i'll to so exert himself and at
once ordered the hackman to drive with
all possible haste to the depot.
When the younger Robbins arrived
there the train was ready to pull out.
He rushed through the waiting rooms,
of railroad yards and looked behind all
adjacent buildings, but without dis
covering his stricken brother. Then he
started home, much puzzled in mind
In. the meantime Mr.. Mare Robbins had
arrived at the depot, and climbing
aboard an electric car had started for
his parental home. Inside of Is minutes
| ne had arrived there, and jOyOusly ran
up the steps in front of the residence
! smiling with expectancy at the greeting
! he was sure was awaiting him. He
/ opened the front door quickly, and came
/ face to face with his father. However,
! instead of the parent falling upon his
! neck with Joy. he uttered terrified e3k-
/ clamation, jumped through the nearest
| door and slammed it after him.
Holy smoke" thought the rising
I young Topeka actor, has father gone
crazy
A sound on the landing of the stairs
above him caused him to look in that
direction. His mother was just starting
down stairs, and had not yet seen him.
Mother ne cried, and made a bound
up the stairs in her direction.
/ A piercing shrek from his mother an
swered his action, and by the time he
| had reached the stair landing she was
looking at him wildly through a small
crack between door frame and tightly
| held door.
At length the surprised young man
managed to say:
What on earth does all this mean,
mother?"
why haven't you the smallpox,
| Mare?" asked his mother still holding
the door firmly.
Smallpox" yelled the young man.
Great heavens no. What made you think
| that?"
Why, your telegram. Marc" said his
mother, rather meekiy. letting the
crack between the door frame and door
grow wider
In moment the truth dawned upon
him. Then he broke into a laugh that
| resounded through every room in the
house. He laughed until he grew tired.
when he threw himself on the floor BY
| the time he was ready to explain, his
brother had arrived from the depot with