The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-20

among our vaults of MSS. hidden away
until the resurrection in our time or
later, but this story has a grievance
against the Harpers and Mcclure to
whonSShve submitted 1t this month.
Amid the mass of trash these maya
zines publish we are now glad our story
is not buried. It was rejected by each
of these literary Harpies, and therefore
it is to be given to you for our vindica-
ton" Editor.
Major Conway's story is herewith
printed for the readers to pass upon and
decide in their own minds as to his
plea of vindication- The story teaches
a lesson. 1t is as good a Christmas
sermon as might be conceived. 1t is
closely founded on facts. A moral can
be found that might well be followed.
The following is the story:
"a COMPACT BROKEN
[By J. W. Conway1
Two pretty girls had been friends as
| Their memories were not put to a tire
some journey backward, for they were
only twelve. Each had the same natal
| month November, but Blanche chose
the first. Ruth the last, day respectively
for their nativity.
Birthday parties and executive proc
lamations gave them annually in this
month at least three days for Thanks
giving
schoolmates. playmates. rivals-but
always friends.
BIdncle was the banker 5 only OduSH-
ter and Ruth was the only child of his
nominal cashier. The relations of tbs
two families were also very cordial aEo
intimate. In their small Nebraska tow
they alternated honors between them as
social leaders and entertainers in gen
e,aI.
Every Christmas it was the ambition
| of Blanche to shower the evergreen will
presents for Ruth, and Ruth's genius o
liberality to make the name of Blanch
the one most often repeated by him WIN
read the favorites of Santa Claus.
These interchanges of cOurtesies con
tinued as long as their little tide Q
years flowed to the shore lines of time
ment be modified.
; One Christmas offered its cruel test
mony in exception: The banker had hi
: cashier arrested for embezZlement L
September, proved him guilty at tn
: October term of the district court, an
sent him to the penitentiary just befor
r November
t At Blanche's birthday party that yea
Ruth was absent.
? To Ruth came no Thanksgiving, n
! birthday. that November. In her litu
heart was a crushed repentance fo
, | having been born.
> Somehow the feuds of parents cannc
always kill the friendships of thei
0 children. The quarrels between tn
/ houses of Montagues and the Capulei
8 gave us one of loves best tests
ssRomeo and Juliet" Somewhat of tn
r tragic is. however, always present whe
!. family froth and foam flow down II
forked streams Of years to mingle
: one flood.
In the schoolroom and upon the play
ground the former willing comDanioI
of Ruth seemed reserved and unco1
NAL While the girl had no heart 4
play, still she could see they had 7
heart for her companionship. Her fail
y ers crime was working havoc upon Il
4 first generation
g Those who formerly endeared h
>, name in honeyed voice as Ruth, a.
= dressed her now as "Say!" Through i
le fault of herself she had lost her ov
D. good name.
l. It takes years to foster crime; ha
n, cannot substitute love in a day; Meth
can friendship be .obliterated in an hoI
l. Blancbe's eyes surveyed Ruth. the
school days in November. with sor
e measure of sympathy: and when Il
cember came laden with memories
other holidays, Blanche summoned r
voice to utter once, at meeting, the de
name of Ruth"
Sometimes it is hard tc forgive an e