The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-06
Chuffey Crosses the RubicOrn

When Hawkins reached home the
other night ne drew on his slippers
with the expression of a man who has
suffered grievous wrongs in his time
He experienced some little difficulty in
getting into his slippers, and, gazing
down at them with an embittered lOoky
perceived that his left foot was in his
right slipper. Hawkins thereupon
spoke to his slippers with a sudden
volubility that filled him with an awed
feeling of delighted surprise at him
self.
Have you had hard days work,
dear?" asked Mrs. Hawkins, after
Hawkins had quoted down.
Hawkins grunted affirmatively.
You're not going out tonight, are
you2" she asked.
Hawkins grunted negatively.
Pm so gladl" sighed Mrs Haw-
Hawkins grunted fnterrogatively.
We're going to have company to-
night. she explained.
"What?" hoWled Hawkins, looking at
his wife with an intense and malign-
ant expression.
Company" she repeated.
Company, 'groaned Hawkins. Com
pany" (another groan). Here I've
come home for a little peace and quiet,
and here there's company's coming!"
And Hawkins stamped into the din
ing room and dejectedly imbibed his
mock turtle soup, and dispassiOnatelv
lacked MS klDpGIeQ neITlDBs ana SIIlll-
ed a welcome at the leg of lamb, and
nodded brightly at the brussels sprouts,
the mashed potatoes and the mint
sauce. He smiled broadly at the cheer
ing cup of tea, and the floating island
filled with him a deep and serene peace
toward all mankind.
Company, eh?" he queried. comfor-
tably, as he luXuriously slipped his sec
ond cup of tea.
Mrs. Hawkins nodded.
fWHnnnlinGnn and his wife
ing" she said.
Hawkins smiled a sad. sweet smiI,-.
Poor old Tominsoni he mur-
INJURED, "IN bet ne wouldn't come if
he knew I was keeping Lent and that
there wasn't cigar or drink in the
house.
'"rornlinson is keeping Lent. too.
said Mrs. Hawkins; Mrs. TomlinsOn
told me so over the telephone She
said l mustn't mind if her husband
was
WAS what?" asked Hawkins. as rs
wife oaused-
WAS as grumpy as bear with A
sore nose" she completed. Mrs Tom
linson said he had given up smoking
and drinking and that she had given
up theaterSs like me"
Poor old Tomlinson!" murmured
Hawkins, in voice broken with emo
ton. Il feel for himi"
And she has given up theaters. like
me, repeated Mrs. Hawkins, evident
~ thinking that Hawkins had over
looked this further deprivation of the
Tomlinson family.
Poor old Tomlinsont" reDeated
Hawkins Here they come now"
A worried looking woman entered.
followed by an irritable looking man.
Mrs Hawkins promptly embraced the
woman Gin mute and sympathetic
Inanner) and the two men nodded
morosely at each other
~, oIIer you a cigar" began Haw-
Aln rs. 1everishly only
m not smoking!" interruDtad
Iomlinson shortly
Hawkins. 7ii'i 'iS relorted
They gazed at each other with
growing commiseration and me-
room 4lleo the
Tom felt that it would do him good
STo- sly up smoktng,' announced Mrs.
AoIhunson brightly.
Iomlinson avoided HAWKINS, -
and sighed heavily.
nat Just how VIII felt about if .,
said Mvs. Hawkins -
And Hawkins avoided r,o,,+.
eye but Joined his signs with Tor9Ii-, :
son signs in a heart melting duet
ana rom gave UP drinking. too .
remarked Mrs Tomlinson. He hasn't
Have you, TOm2"
Iomlinson (being thus reminded OF
ms apstemlousness) assumed the he
hlgnant expression of a Chinese Idol
" ~ NASH l. GlLueF.f cried Mrs
Hawkins, Have you. VIM
And Immediately the Chinese idol
Do you know Chuffey?" demanded
Hawkins, as he violently turned ia
Tomlinson. Wen, it was Chuffev Who
persuaded me to do this. He swore if
would do me good"
The hopeless vail of helpless ra pc
that Hawkins threw into his last sen
tence could only be duplicated bv fbe
suffering sounds that enaanate from the
Pit.
ana It was Chuffey who persuaded
me-" added Tomlinson. He said /