The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
PILGRIMS TO ESOPUS.
Farmer Folk Not Disturbed by the
Influx of the Strangers.

ESopus n. Y, July 12.-What, with
some one getting off at every train
that stops at Esopus, and sometimes
as many as six getting off at one
time the farmer folk are beginning
to take notice. Not that they have
given over talking in the same de-
uberate and reflective way, or spelling
in the least their leisurely method of
covering the routine of life, but they
recognize that there is what the city
resident would term something do
ing" which bit of slang has not yet
reached Esopus.
There's a good many folks comm
here now" sums uD the situation for
them Confidence to the point of
credulity and unstinted generosity, the
inhabitants of 'Sopus have SO far been
extended to the stranger. Fortunate
are those who have been able to test
it before the taint of commercialism,
which this summer is sure to bring,
has spoiled the situation.
Perhaps the only person who really
has profited financially by the influx
of strangers is Captain Patrick Quinn,
and he deserves all the silver that is
pouring into his money drawer. The
captains place is at the crossroads.
1t is the only place of entertainment
in 'Sopus, the Valley house, near the
station, taking no boarders on account
of the bad health of the proprietor.
spacious, but newspaper men have
slowed themselves in every corner
partly because they have to be in
Esopus and partly because they cannot
bear to part from Captain Quinn, once
they have met him. His title is an
honorary one, but to the man who ask
ed him if he had ever been at sea he
replied:
from Ireland if 1 hadn't been on the
Sea?'
Between trains Uncle" George Bed
ford, a veteran of the civil war, sits in
the doorway of his little house sur
rounded by hollyhocks. golden coreopsis,
zinnias and other old-fashioned flowers,
and invites conversation. He takes life
seriously, and will discourse for hours
on the doings of 'Sopus generally, and
of the Parker family in particular. To
him they are the embodiment of great
ness and grandeur. and it seems not at
all strange that it should have been
recognized by the world outside.
The light cynicism of the newspaper
folk rolls haFmlessly off his compre-
hension- All his life of almost three
score and ten years he has been ac-
customed to hear and to state only
facts, and the most extrava CANT tales
told to him are accepted in all serious
ness.
The men who work on the Parker
place are of the country.
We're all friendly here" one of them
remarked, as Sammy, yellow dog,
came up wagging his tail, "and we're
all fer the jedge. even the dog. I don't
know anybody as is against him, d.
you, George?''
The ideal private secretary, Arthur
McCausland. is to be found at Rose
mont He has many of the characters
tics of his chief: is amiable, direct and
sincere in manner.
Mr.. McCausland has been with the
Parkers so long that he knows their
characteristics and wishes thoroughly.
Best OF all is it that ME-. McCausland
has a sense of humor that will be of
inestimable benefit to the country.
He needed it the other day when his
place in the carriage was taken by a
young woman who wanted to see Judge
Parker. There are no public carriages
in Esopus, so when she stepped off the
train she got into the Parker carriage
and the private secretary walked home.