The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-25

The following is taken from the ad-
vance sheets OF John Van Buren,, poll
tician,s an anonymous political novel
to be published by the Harpers:
Van Buren, returned from New York
on the legislative express, which car
Tied few passengers who had not pass
BY chance an Albany merchant, Van
Buren's old friend, Colonel G. Humph-
rey Ring. took seat No. II In the sena-
torial parlor car, and settled himself to
enjoy the river view when the train
should reach the Hudson. State Senator
Brown had been watching the man who
goes around to hammer the car wheels
and see that they are sound. and heard
him reI1rak to his assistant depot mas
ter that one Of the wheels on this par
tlcuiar car was cracked and that an
other car would have to be substituted.
Going on into the car, Senator Brown
walked up and down the aisle examin
ing the numbers on the seats Stopping
at seat No. II, he turned to Colonel
Ring and said:
Pardon me, sir, but I am Senator
Brown, and that is my accustomed seat.
I should be glad to furnish you with
another seat Porter, show the gentle
man another seat"
Colonel Ring fumed-
Why should I give you my seat?
What presumption might say, what
what impudencei"
Senator Brown calmly turned to the
porter.
johnson. tell the gentleman who I
am"
That's Senatah Brown. sab. The
senatah always comes up on this train"
Find him another seat then. Here is
a. Wagner ticket for my chair, and III
give it up to nobody"
Il regret exceedingly, sir" placidly
continued Senator Brown, the manner
ia which you choose to take my polite
request. I made it not on my personal
behalf. but in the interest Of the people
of the Empire state. 1 am accustomed
TO occupy seat No. II. and, basking in
the afternoon sunshine. t. view the
Palisades. the Catskills, and the noble
Hudson. A few hours 50 spent fill me
with q serene tranquility, and enable
me to approach my legislative duties in
q proper spirit. which rebounds solely
TO the benefit of the people Of the state,
whose servant and representative am.
regret the necessity to take other
measures. Conductor. this gentleman
has a ticket for seat No. II, car Poca-
hontas, and insists on 1T. Kindly have
this car taken off and some other car
substituted on which this gentleman's
ticket to seat No. II viii not be good.
Provide him. however, with equally
good accommodations"
Turning to the other passengers, al
most all of whom knew him PERSONAL
~, Senator Brown went on: 1T is with
Fegret. gentlemen, that see you put to
this inconvenience, but the good of the
people is the supreme law. You can say
IL in Latin, if you prefer / am going /
upstairs to see my friend Chauncey /
and have the change made
Senator Brown went out on the plat |
form to watch the fun. Colonel Ring |
was storming. and passengers who
knew Senator Brown were wondering /
what would happen next, when the as
eistant depo&-master came in, and /
shouted: All out. This car is not 60 |
ing"
:'why isn't 1t going?" screeched Col
Dnel Ring. DO you allow this gang |
OF impudent politicians to run this !
road? I am a stockholder, and my firm |
and my father before me. I'll bring this !
TO the attention Of the directors and
the president and the stockholders This
Is an outrage
The innocent assistant depot-Tnaster'
who knew Colonel Ring, was astonish-
ed why, colonel, you don't want to
ride in a car with a cracked wheel, it's
dangerous. Our car-tester just found
q crack Another parlor-car will be put
on at once, and this one will be sent to
Mott Haven for q new wheel"
That's your way of letting yourself
out of it. You don't appease me.
don't blame you. I suppose you do
this road is run by this gang of pass
riding politicians OF by the stockholders
and the public"
The crowd filed out of the car and
onto the platform, all but two assemb-
aymen who knew what a practical joker
Senator Brown was and kept their
seats thinking it was all a bluff. They
yards by a switching engine. Another
parlor car was put on Senator Brown
solemniy staIked in while all the other