The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-13
LEHR DEFIEs JERSEY MUD.
But the Merry Automobiles Is Van
ouished BY Dust.

Jersey mud, in masses has no terror
for Harry LehF, leader of germans and
favored squire Of \ ewport.s arist0cra tic
dances. It is only a thing to be laugh
ed at. but one little particle Of Phila-
delphla dust was sufficient to reduce
him to a condition where he forgot
conventionaities and failed to maintain
his reputation as a thoroughly we'll
dressed man Of fashion
He arrived in this city in company
with John Jacob Aston in Mr.. AstoT's
automobile, after a trip from New York
which called for the fortitude and en-
durance Of the passengers as well as
the skill of the chauffeur.
When the automobile stopped in
front of the Bellevue its occupants
were 50 encased IN mud that they were
/ hardly recognizable.
Both were jolly They laughed over
and made light of the difficulties of
counts, were many and of the most
1 trying kind.
The abysmal depths of the Jersey
/ mud We're almost hottomless. and soon
/ OF record-nak1ng were abandoned Ev-
| cry energy was concentrated on the
one task Of getting through in any old
1 kind Of time
The big machine fioundered and
ploughed its way through the soft
roads sending a steady shower Of mud
/ over the occupants. until they looked
/ like sculpt0rs' clay models not yet
/ joked.
The heroism of Mr.. Lehr was turned
/ to grief, however, soon after his ar
rival. He had removed the crust of
Jersey real estate and had already be-
gun to don his clothing when a stray
particle of Philadelphia dust came
floating in through the open window
and found lodgment in Mr.. Lehrs left
eye
Then he knew what real trouble was.
It was not time to play the hero Con-
vent1onality was thrown aside appear
ances were for the time forgotten
de Pushed through the remainder OF
MS toilet IN a manner which would have
caused ms valet TO faint had ne peer
there to see So great was his speed
that in little more than an hour he made
MS appearance in the offlce IN g dlsor-
dered condition. which bore evidence OF
the agony Of body and distraction OF
mind from which ne was suffering.
The collar of his swallow tailed coat
was turned UP about his ears. the Jew
eIed buttons Of his white satin vest hae
not been fastened and that Immaculate
garment nared open. exposing a greater
expanse Of shirt front than is usual a
trousers were turned up half way K
his knees, displaying his symmerriea
/ legs. which have been SO often admired
when he has been giving female imper
s0nations The legs were clad in sky
blue silk stockings He had not takeE
shoes and his feet were encased in
dainty pair of low-cHt patent-leather slip
pers. each ornamented with a black satl
rosette. eoquettishly perched between tn
, instep and the toe.
He was a sad but beautiful sight as h
rushed through the Office, dainty cam
brio handkerchief held to an aching eye
ana into the telephone booth. He callei
up a friend Wen known clubman. q
the city, and in plaintive accents wa
heard TO say:
Dear. I have met with a most distress
+ ing accident. A bit of dust has got int
my optic and has destroyed all the pleas
uTe Of the evening. Do. dear. tell me quick
~ of a worthy physician to whom ma,
e 20 for relief
Evidently he received an address. for
). few minutes later a cab was called. tn
: sufferer left the hotel and about half
hour later returned. apparently relieve
of SUFFERING. Philadelphia Press.