The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-03
VAN HORNS ADVICE.


Clements. Royce and I were gather
ed around the table in Adolph's place,
where cool, foaming stems of the best
brew were obtainable We had exhaust
ca our supply of tales when Van Horn
suolled IN We greeted him with joy
ana pressed him to tell us a story. he
aenurred at first. but finally said
DO you fellows think you could listen
TO little love story?"
Yes; let 'er 60" we -chorused.
Van Horn began. 1T was on a west
ern trip of mine for the firm of which
/ am now the head that I first met
requisite of a gentleman. One evening
night.
Rather sudden, isn't it,? I asked.
Yes he replied, abstractedly.
Be away for any length OF timer
asked.
90 Two days. he replied. I saw that
there was something on mis- mind Pres
emily he blurted out:
Say, old man, I have known you
but short time, yet am convinced
that you are my sort and can trusI
you 1 am in deuced dilemma ana
L think if I were to talk to some one
on the subject I should be more able
to decide for the best.
put implicit confidence in me ana II
can help you I will gladly do So
I'VE lighted our cigars. lie Prev
a cloud Of smoke Onward the ceiling
and said: .. :.
~ SO It's is case of girls? Well. I
am not much of an authority in that
line. but let's hear the case.
=. There are two of them, Van HON,
said he. and during the next few days
I must make up my mind which TO
choose. or give up both.
And you want me to help you de-
cide?' I asked.
ss Partly he continued. You see one
is a little country girl whom I have
known from childhood; the other. a city
bred maiden whom 1 met only last
you love both?' I questioned.
IL am almost sure that I love the
girl of my childhood memories, but the
other one has"
Money 1 supplied.
Yes he admitted: with an in
come of 500 a month";
And the country girl? I suggested.
His eyes took on dreamy look, ana
he laid down his cigar before he re-
She is different. Oh! so different.
To begin with, she is poor. She is not
pretty, and some people would not call
her even attractive. She is plain
country lass. Why, man, I don't even
know whether she would have me.
have heard IuuOrs that a. certain cOun-
try lawyer is paying her attention, and
that she is very partial to his suit. I
haven't seen her for three years You
see if marry one girl may give up
my business and take the long-needed
rest in a trip to Europe. If I gain the
other shall have to double my energy
and work like a dog to make a suitable
home for her. The country girl may
have changed a great deal in the last
few years, but anyhow, am going up
to the little town to see her. 1 leave
tonight, and will be back Tuesday. Put
yourself in my place. What would you
dor
IT had been celebrating upon that
point myself. I am not mercenary
sort of person, but, try as hard as
could, it was impossible to forget that
nine hundred a month. 1t doomed up
behind my consideration of the city
girl and gave her a mighty handicap.
No doubt the girl from the country
was a sweet and charming person
with a cOngen1al disposition but
would she become city broke easily ? |
Would she be a fitting companion to-
a fellow who led a strenuous life of
pleasure after business hours? How
many pOst-theater suppers of lobster
and its accessories could she stand |
before succumbing2 A hundred little
things ran through my mind that
would be new to her.
''The city girl with the nine hun
dred was used to such things. ByI
Jove, more than likely she was be-
coming tired of them. 1t would be a !
pleasure to show the country girl the
sights and inaugurate her into the
ways of city life. 1t would be enjoy
able to take her into a brilliantly
lighted restaurant, where a Hungar-
ian band was playing American COM
&c opera airs, and order a nice little
supper.
THE more I weighed the case the
higher the stock of the country girl
rose. But the nine hundred still held
its place on the horizon
Well, Cuthbert,' I finally said, I
remarked before that was not much
up on the subject of girls, especially
H. nfa
in your case 1 think if I were you I
should run up to the village and see
your old love, and if things are un-
changed and you can get the girl,
marry her He reached across the
table and clasped my hand just as
thought he would do. Several days
later he came back to the hotel. After
IL Ill -