The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-22
JOKE ON "CIDER. SMITH.
One Case When Listener Heard No
Good of Himself

Cider Smith is one of the most inter
esting characters in Shawnee county,
not only on account of his noted wealth
er representations, but also for many
personal reasons. He enjoys a good
joke, and holding the somewhat pre-
carious position of weather prophet, is
subjected to a good many. He usually
takes this chaf good naturally and has
a reply ready that is often several de-
grees more torried than the joker gave
him.
Professionally speaking, Cider Smith
and Weather Observer Jennings are
desperate rivals. Mr.. Smith takes little
stock in this official weather. which
is handed out in job lots every day to
the different districts" on the weather
chart, and seldom fails to give the
weather bureau, through Mr.. Jennings,
a good dig whenever an opportunity IS
offered. In view of these facts, the fol-
lowing story is interesting, and is told
on himself by Mr.. Smith:
Mr.. Smith was standing on the street
the other day. when he was attracted by
the conversation of two bystanders- Mr..
Smith is quite deaf and the word
weather" was all he could make out
were talking very earnestly and he
watched them few moments. Then,
weather" being his specially, he felt
justified in asking what particular brand
VI p4AdSC VI NCdlACA AASy NSAC us
cussing.
He was told they were talking of the
wonderful achievements of the United
States weather bureau. One was tell
ing the other of the apparatus they had
at the Topeka observatory, how Mr.Jen-
nings had the weather in bottles, and
how last summers heat and drouth was
caused by the cork flying out of one of
these bottles. He described the inStru-
ment for recording the velocity of the
wind and many other of the delicate in
struments. All this Mr.. Smith heard in
silence Finally when an opening came,
he asked:
What do you think of the man
Cider Smiths predictions on the wealth
err"
.'Oh, Cider Smith is a fakir He gets
all his predictions from Jennings and
then palms them off as his own and the
State Journal publishes them He don't
know anything about the weather"
This from the man who knew about the
scientific weather machine.
Did you ever see Cider Smith? Do
you know him when you see him?" ask
ed Mr.. Smith.
Yes. have seen him lots off times.
Little old humpbacked man who drives
around the street selling CIDER
Would you know him if you saw
him again.
Would know him anywhere" was
the reply.
We'll. Just come around the corner,
here I saw him there Just a few min
utes ago" And Mr.. Smith led them
around on a side street
Then facing around and drawing him
self up straight, and unbuttoning his
coat, he thrust his thumbs in his vest
and said:
Il am Cider Smith, the old weather
fakir with the hump back"
This Roderick Hhu exhibition took
the strangers completely aback. But
they We're not game like Scotland's
James. SO there is no crossing of swords
in this little tale They were simply
and felt very like sinking
out of sight
Yes said Mr.. Smith, you look like
you wanted some place to hide. Well,
they have a refuge for the feeble-mind-
ed. at Olathe. That is the place you are
locking for
With this parting shot Mr. Smith
graciously left them in their confusion. |