The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-22

enable mother to put in the summer
1T Long Branch" I
''And there is mortgage on the
house,"
"A whopping big one. sir. 1t covers |
Ill the front yard and a part of the
steps. 1t makes me lep shouldered to
carry the interest around in my peck
ct. l dream Of it by night and groan
over it by. day."
well, Sammis," continued Mr.
Thompson as his smile grew softer,
you have found one who will be
second father to you and extend
helping hand. You need dream and
isroan no more. just go right ahead
and be happy. 1 haven't time to say
more just at present, but you keep an
eye on me and drop in again."
l couldn't figure that l had made
much out of Mr.. Thompson, but ]
tried to be as happy as could and
waited a week for him to send for
me. AS he didn't do it, I called on
him again. 1 found four girls in his
Office. Some of them were reading
novels and some chewing gum and
looking out of the windows.
"Ah, Sammis, my son, l am glad to
see you again." said Mr.. Thompson as
he held out his hand 81 should have
sent for you before if hadn't been SO
rushed with business. You see that
California lands are booming. II the
boom continues, shall have to get
TWO more girls before the week is out"
yes, SIR" said.
"And about that mertgage-don't
worry, Sammis. Nothing affects
young boys constitution so much as
worrying over a mortgage. Just sing
md whistle and act as if there was
no such thing as a mortgage on a
Widows home. Are you smoking ciga-
rettes and playing the horses nova
daysY
mo, sir. I haven't got any sugar to
DO it on
That's bad, Sammis, and I sym
pathize with you, but don't be dis
couraged. Yeu may find a roll Of bills
in your elevator any day, you know.
IS the mother getting along all rightf"
mo. sir. Her old clothes are all worn
out, and she can't see where she is to
get any new ones"
"Um! see. That's bad again, but
there is an Offset. If she hasn't any
good clothes, she won't have to 60 to
Long Branch this summer nor give
til 80 Sc
| to your mother. my son, and cheer her
up. Do you think you could make good
| use of dollar. SammisY
81 do. sir"
'"Then you shall have it-scme day
| Meanwhile there is a little matter /
| should like to talk over with you. Fa-
Their and son ought to have each 9th
| er's confidence. You have mine, and
| want yours. You see that nay business
| our business-is rushing. It will
| probably continue to rush until there
is no more land in California to be
sold. We are to be congratulated. Sam
| mis-"
1--WE are, SIR" said.
"a wife ought to be satisfied when
her husband is rushing business and
making money, but some Of them are
not. For instance
"Yeur wife may come down here
some dayY
Exactly, Sammis. I see that you
are a boy who knows his business
Yes, her anxiety to see fer herself
how California lands are selling may
bring her down here any day. In such
an event 1 shall be glad to see hel
Of course, but
But it would interrupt business"
said.
| That's it, Sammis; it would. Your
penetration pleases me, and I am
proud to be 4 father to you. If Mrs
Thompson, who is an understood
woman with a sharp nose and snap
ping eyes, should call some day and
ask for me you will say that l am out
for the day"
eyes, sir. You have gone over tt
New Jersey to look at block Of build
ings. 1 understand !
"Sammfs, you are q liar and .
jewelr' he exclaimed as he took my
hand. 81 spoke of giving you 3 dollar
some day. 1t shall be two. Sucf
genius as yours should be rewarded
as it merits. Yes, you can discourage
Mrs. Thompson from coming upstairs
and If she insists you can land her OF
the wrong floor and then notify mt
that she is gamboling about the build
ing. shall depend upon you to notify
| me without delay. Remember, little
| woman with sharp nose and snap
ping eyes. She also bites OF her words
as she talks, and If you notice hel
hands you will see that she instinc
| lively doubles her fists in case an ar
gument arises. Do you fully under
stand, Sammis ?"
| Eyes, sir. Anything more?"
Nothing more, my son, and you rpay