The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-28
SChWartzy Shows Talent.


Chuffey Cwho had been discoursing
privately with Schwartzy about the
night when Tony had to have the po-
liceman escort him home) turned to
take up his glass of toddy, cycling
meanwhile with great satisfaction the
look Of shocked virtue on Schwartzy' s
voluminous features. Chuffey was just
about to take a sip (still keeping q
satisfied eye on SchWartzy's face) when
he paused, and docking into his CLASSY
he placed it back on the table with a
look of concentrated wrath
What dye think said Chuffey, ad-
dressing us all in general and frowning
fearfully as he alternately looked at
his toddy and at Tony's innocent face:
What dye think of a man who will
drink another mans toddy behind his
back2''
How can anybody drink toddy ne
hind his back?' demanded Tony.
Stands to reason that a man has 10
put his face in it,
Such a man would steal the pennies
from the blind mans little tin cup, =
replied Hawkins, answering Chufrey. 9
question and refusing to be thrown OF
by Tony's remark.
He would, indeed, . rcOncurred Chuf-
fey, heartily, breathing hard and look
ing at Tony to see how he took it.
Such a man would steal the glasses
from Boston baby's nose" we added,
yes, and he would be tolerably sure
to steal the blanket from a poor sick
pet dog
He would, indeed" concurred Chuf-
fey again, and looking at Tony as
though Tony were the dirt beneath his
feet.
"Tolerablyr' sneered Tony. wriggiing
Intellectually.
Yes, tolerably," we stoutIy claimed.
Such a man. said Sehwartzy Gan
we all turned to listen intently, being
wishful of taking Schwartzy's measure,
as he had not been with US lOngE
"such a man stands between his fell
lows and the great glorious sun of
Truth, silhouetted against the sky Ike
a monstrous thing and Tapping his
horrid, black wings against the golden
sunset"
we all took a silent drink and gazed
at Tony thoughtfulIy. He had assuln-
ed a, new significance. He was now
a Symbol. A moment before he had
been Tony, but now he was a Tapping,
black, black thing against the golden
sunset.
Schwartzy latter settling his chin in
his collar and vainly trying to cross
Ciceronian look that we all began to
conceive a real admiration for the man.
II may drink somebody else's toddy
in mistake remarked Tony bitterly,
.'but I don't pose as a widoWer when
my wife goes on her summer vaca-
tion.'
WHO does?" snarIed Chuffey
That's all right responded Tony.
Il may make an innocent mistake in
picking up the wrong gIass-the best
of men make inadvertent. mistakes;
but I don't tell girls that they put me
in mind of my poor dear wife, who S
gone, so that they will try to comfort
me. No, sir!"
''who does. I say?' demanded chuf-
fey again.
That's all right" replied Tony,
=. &c
take somebody else's glass for mine,
especially if somebody else,s glass was
showed right in front of me. That's an
innocent mistake. But what q yee thlnk
of a man who tells girls that his VIE
died over a year go from consumption
when all the time she's on her summer
Such a man would get his dearest
friend to sign a contract Tor Srayon
portrait" replied Hawkins promptly
HE would. indeed" cried Tony,
sternIy, with the frame extra and
tinted in flesh colors for an extra dol
ooh. shut UNI" grunted Chuffey.
"Such a man would turn his chill
dren out to work and buy rum with
their hard earned pennies we added.
He would. indeed" cried Tony
again, looking at Chuffey. as though
Chuffey we're very low company.
"Run!' sneered Chuffey.
yes rum we repeated. Rum.
the demon. and the destroyer of
hearths and homes.
ssSuch a man" said Schwartzy Cand
we all turned again to listen intently,
Schwartzy's oratorical style being new
to us), such a man. rearing his de-
ceitfuI head beneath the arching
heavens, would weary man on earth
and What's his-name below. He
should be an outcast of his fellows
and despised of the beasts of the field.
He should subsist on nuts and roots.
I'LL
ment. And when evening comes, he
would be seen skulking to his lair.
with a stolen raw turniD clutched in
his hand and a look of furtive fear