The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-26

her feet and led her to a bench just
outside the door of the little telegraph
office. All the while he was thinking
deeply. He was the candidate of the
outs for governor; the ms had a
natural majority of $4,000 votes; Gov.
John Randall. with good official rec
ord to back him, was up for reelection,
and Col. Joe Layson had as much
chance of becoming governor as he had
of gaining the throne of Turkey. He
had revoIved the situation in his mind,
and as he found his inspiration Mrs.
Higgs started to rise, but he waved her
back saying: Just wait there, madam,
until send a message and get an an
sWeg. I'm going to investigate this mat
ter at once"
Finley whistled, but the colonel only
froWned and stalked into the telegraph
office. For perhaps two minutes ne
wrote steadily. When he had finished
he hurriedly gathered up the satisfac-
tory sheets and slammed them down on
the operators table
Here, my man. he commanded,
"send this in a big hurry.
The operator looked up sleepily, rub
bed his eyes and read:
ITO Hon. John Randall, Executive
Mansion. Eagleton:
MY Dear GOWN running against
you and you knew it's only for exer-
else, and l want you to help me out OF
a. hole that has nothing to do with pol
1IiCS. We SOL dill OlQ WOiAldA ACA Z W AO
takes me for you and wants me to par
don her son. It would be a shame to
undeceive her, and, anyway, I'm better
looking than you are. The boys name
is Dan Higgs. He was sent up for f1ye
years for cattle stealing. His father is
sick, and both father and mother are
starving. Pardon the boy for me, John
never -envied you your job until this
minute, and even now I want 1t. only
long enough to pardon a cow stealer.
A at This
from yo ,ls- '- SEPT TAYsoN'
It was the siongsst and by far the
oldest telegram Known in Xerxes
Junction. ssFhe operator looked dubious
and timidly suggested, You might
slzeletonize this and save money"
mo, sir" said the colonel, decidedly.
'Send every blamed word of it. This
is a matter Of state.''
The opera tor labored with the mes
sage while the colonel went out on the
platform to tell Mrs. Higgs to wait pa
tiently. Soon after the message had
gone over the wires the Ardenia train
came putting in.
I'VE can't wait any longer.
II can't leave now" answered the col
onel. leaning 1anguidly against the sta
"B9t you must. We speak in Ardenia
tonight"
'.Ardenia. counts on hearing you, Coy
ernor" urged Finley. "A willrul disap-
pointment ike this might ruin your
'fYou know never had any, Finley.
What's the use of saying that? ANYHOW,
L m not going" With that he took a seat
on the bench beside Mrs. Higgs. You'd
better be moving, Finley" he added. TN
join you at Beedsburg in the morning.
Just then the operator came rushing
out with a message The colonel o. mel sedzea
ness then held the pieces in shaking
hands while he read:
Dear Colonel: Have telephoned to
warden at Osborn. No objection there
Higgs' pardon signed this minute. Glad
to be of service. JOHN RANDALL"
: The colonel turned to Mrs. Higgs- 1t s
all right he said thickly. Your boy
will be home tomorrow"
best gunner God ever made" At this
IAN aboardi. shouted the conductor.
The colonel took a step toward the
done only my duty, but If you feel crate
ful tell the boy to vote for me, John Ran
dali for governor.'-John Taylor Wal
dorf. in San Francisco Call.