The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-05
ZEE EVENING sToRY.

The Sun Image.
OllVer Adams and were sitting one
AFTERNOON IN room facing the west.
shutter was closed, and the sunlight
Shone through the spaces at the ends Of
the STATS Now. though the spaces were
not round. we noticed that a round
spot OF light from each crack fell
on the wall opposite the window. 1 had
often seen the phenomenon before and
called Adams attention to it. A singu-
lar expression came over his face as
he looked at them.
Can you explain the circular form o.
/ asked.
tOnly that the spots of light are mi
mute images of the sum-" he replied.
But 1t isn't this that interests me. I
can never look at one of those little sun
images without being profoundly
moved
"Out with it, said. for knew there
was story behind his emotion.
When 1 was married. he said, Ito
the best woman in the world drew
a matrimonial prize among hundreds of
blanks-I was doing well in business
and was able to provide for the three
little kids that came along during the
first five years of my married life Ny
wife was not eXtraVagant; indeed, she
looked out for the nickels very care
fully Nevertheless, no matter how
careful a woman may be in this re-
spect she is a natural plunger, and I
ACoAAA GG< NY 4DeAAo3 WeAG JIG "a NAA~1s
kind.
.One evening in midsummer when
my family was out of town I was per-
suaded to go into a gambling house. I
never dreamed of betting when [ enter
ed, but I soon caught the fever, and
when I left the place had won some
thing like $50. 1 was so well pleased
with my venture that I tried it again
the next night. I Won steadily for
week; then l began to lose. To make
a short fHa wife
came home was ruined. 1 sold out
my business to pay my debts and had
$3.50 over with which to begin the world
again. My wife was plucky about it all
and refrained from what nineteen in
twenty women would have done under
the circumstances. She never spoke
word of blame.
It received my $3.50 one morning and
in the afternoon went with it to try TO
recover my losses, telling Daisy l was
going to take walk. won over 81, 200,
but lost it the same night, winning and
losing alternately. My wife knew as
well as I what I was doing, but never
said a word, pretending ignorance.
When I had lost all my winnings and
5000 besides she began to look anxious
Not that I said word. L didn't need to-
She could tell by my face how stood,
and when she wanted to know exactly
she would examine my pocketbook after
I was asleep.
"One afternoon I went to the den
with but $50 in my pocket, and l must
have looked pretty miserable, for my
wife kissed me before 1 left the house
and said, BE sure to be home for DIN
ner,' Just as if she didn't know that
if I got absorbed I wouldn't pay any
attention to dinner or any other meal.
I played very close, seldom riskIng
much at one time, for my capital was
bagatelle. Despite my caution my pile
grew lower and lower. and at last I
had but one white chip left. The deal
er wasn't paying much attention TO me
and was yawning necessarily, having
been at his work all the night before.
I was so absorbed that I din't notice
a young fellow who came and leaned
over me, watching my game. put my
last chip on the ten and lost. l was
broke
ing to bet with, went on with the game.
And now I'm getting to the point OF my
story Through a crack in the window
one of these little suns came IN ana
lighted on the jack. The dealer blink
it was a white chip or silver dollar.
The young man behind me said, Deal,
This decided the sleepy man, and he
dealt. The jack won, and he tossed me
a white chip. The young man pehlnd
me without asking permission, pushed
the chip over between the king and
queen. and it won. I sat stupidity look
ing on, the young man making my Dets
for me and winning every time
tsThe dealer began to wake up and
take an interest My bet placer was
taking awful chances, and wanted to
stop him, but remembered that all
nv winnings had been on an image OF
the sun and didn't dare say word for
fear he'd fare up and give 1t away.
The piles before me grew ana grew
and suddenly was startled by hearing
the dealer cry, Busted me nrst
thing I did after that was to turn to
look at the man behind me to see if
the devil had done it all to get my soul
with the winnings. Great heavens,
whom do you suppose 1 saw? Under
sonbrero drawn down over the face
elittered pair of eyes, and those eyes
belonged to Dasiy. She turned IKE q
flash and left the place, leaving me TO
nick UP my winnings. stuffed all my
pockets full and went home When L
went upstairs Daisy was in bed. she
asked me the usual question-had l
put out the lights. I replied, as usual
that I had and turned in.
"That's why I say woman is
natural plunger. Daisy would have
gone back with me the next day to
break the bank again, but had had
enough of it, and we agreed that l
should return to my business. L did
so and have done well, as you know,
ever since. Now, fancy, after what
I've told YOU, you don't wonder that l
never see one of those little sun
images without a profound stirring Of
my emotions"
The DISCOURAGED Rats