The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-01
CHEERING THEM UP.

IS Mllt10 hOSW0rtn was one OF the
most popular in hers before shs mar
ried Kanahle. AS a couple they were
II anything still more popular, so the
amount OF interest that was expressed
when the stern duties OF Kanable's
profession were about to part them
was altogether out of the ordinary.
81 wish. dearest, you had chosen
some business that would not take
you away from home 50 much" Mrs.
Kanable sighed a night or two be-
fore his departure.
II wish so. too, darling" he re-
piled despondently. 'It seems as If
a man might be allowed a little time
with his family after his hours Of toll
and not be sent kiting or to the other
side of the continent"
There's Mr.. and Mrs. Frush, who
keep the delicatessen store" she
said. II think they are perfectly love-
1y people and the ham they sell is
delicious. She boils it herself and
they are absolutely devoted to each
other. They have been married near
II as long as we have, Milton"
'Yes?" said Kanable. But what"
have to go down to any bothering old
ONCE They just stay together in the
store and sell their ham and pickles
and sardines and summer sausages. 1t
must be lovely. Wouldn't it be nice
II we could keep a delicatessen store?
know l could boil ham il tried"
I'm sure you could" declared Kan
able, loyalty. well" he continued,
eat least we can write to each other
every day. You must tell me every
thing you do and what you think,
and IL you are missing me. and"
Mrs. Kanable threw herself upon
his shoulder in a flood of tears.
She was so pale and red-eyed the
next day that Cora Hulst. who had
called on her during the afternoon,
told her husband 1t would be charity
to drop in that evening and lven up
the Kanables. On the way there they
stopped at the Thonquists' and pre-
vailed on them to 60. too When they
arrived they found the Judds and the
Maberlys already there and the party
spent the evening in heGrtless gayety.
Judd sung, Absence Makes the
Heart Grow Ponder" in the most pa
thetic style, and Thonquist told some
funny stories of husbands and wives
severed by remorseless fate and the
manner in which they severally con.
soled themselves for the pains of alb
sence- Altogether they felt that they
had cheered the Kanables immensely.
Il think it was perfectly horrid of
them" said Mrs. Kanable. as the door
closed on the last of their guests.
with time so short. too. They must
know that we have lots Of things to
talk over before you go. And that
dinner tomorrow"
They went-and just as might have
been expected, they were not allowed
a chance to speak to each other all
the evening. 1t is possible that their
friends did not mean to be malicious
or Indifferent. but certainly their ex-
pressed sympathy had a false ring
to it. Really they seemed to consider
Kanable's journey quite a matter Of
course and an exile of a month a
thing Of no especial moment. At last
Kanable said it was about time for
him to go. as his train went quite
early in the morning
That's no excuse" said Maberly.
You don't have to get up any earlier
than we do. We're all going down to
see you of. amt we. people?"
Certainly we are" came the cho-
rus.
So It was long after midnight when
the Kanables got home and 9 o'clock
the next morning when they arrived
at the railway station they found
nine-tenths Of their acquaintances al
ready there. The crowd seemed to
be having a very jolly time and at
the sight Of their mirth Mrs. Kanable
began to weep.
"Herei" said Kanable I'VE can't
meet them like this. Quick! Let's
get into the waiting room. where they
can't see us" He waved his hand
to Thonquist, who had at that mo-
ment caught sight of them. with
you in a moment" he shouted. Bag
gage to look after" Then he disap-
peared.
At this moment the Maberlys ar
rived and were welcomed joyously
by the crowd. They carried a large
bouquet Judd drew from his pocket
a roll Of manuscript. which, he ex-
planned, was a farewell address.
"A pretty good one, too, if 1 say it
myself, he declared. "As soon as
they come out we want to line up and
Ill read it in clear ringing voice. "
Let's hear it now and we'll know
where to come in with the applause. -
suggested Hagerman. and there was
general murmur of assent.
odd about Kanable," said Tbon-
quist a little later. IF this is his
train he's only got four minutes more
Somebody would better go and look
him up"
Judd and Maberly hurried off and
presently returned to report that Kan
able was nowhere to be seen. The
porters carried their steps into the