Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1905-07-13
I,aa and I have been to all kinds OF

Lad and I have been TO all kinds OF
churches. everywhere. and never turned
a hair, but since We got to this town. and
got some OF the prevailing religion into
our systems, We feel guilty. and II seems
rs though everybody could see right into
us, and that they knew We were heath
en-. that never knew there was God.
Sure thing. never supposed there were
so many people In the world that wor-
SHIPPED their Maker. rs there are here.
and don't wonder that oil over the
world good PEOPLE look to Rome for the
light. Dad keeps telling me that when
we get home We Will set an example that
will make people pay attention. but he
says he does not want TO join the church
until be has seen all the sights. and
then he will swear eff for good.
He said TO me yesterday: Now. Hen
merry, have been to all the pious places
with you. the pope's residence. the cata-
combs ana ST. Peters. where they
preach from 40 different places, and
make you feel like giving up your sins.
and have looked at carvings, and
decorations. end marble and jewels, and
seen the folly OF my ways OF life, and
am ripe for change. but before give
up the world and all OF its wickedness.
I want blood, want to go to the other
extreme. and see the wild beasts at the
Coliseum tear human beings limb from
limb. and drink their blood, and see
gladiators gladiate, and chop down their
antagonists. and put one foot on their
PROSTATE necss, like they do in the
theaters. ard then am ready to leave
this town. and be good"
Well. sir, | have been in lots Of tight
places before, but this or a beat the band.
Here was my dad. who did not know that
the Roman gladiator business had been
of the boards for over 1000 years.
that TIE eating OF human prisoners by
wild beasts in the presence OF the
Roman populace was played out. and
that the Coliseum was ruin and Gid not
exist as place OF amusement. He
thought everything that he had read
about tie horrors OF Roman holiday
was running to-day. as side show. ant
he wanted to see It, and had encourages
him in his ideas. because he was nervous,
and | didn't want 10 undeceive him.
He had come to Rome to see things he
couldn't find at home, and 1t was up to
me to deliver the goods.
Gee. but 1t made ne sweat, cause
knew if dad cid net get show for his
money, he would lay it up against me.
so | told him We would so to tho
Coliseum that night and see the hungry
lions and tigers eat some CT the leading
citizens, just as they did when Caesar
run the show. Then found an Ameri-
can from Chicago at the hotel. who
sells soap in Rome, and told him what
dad expected Of me in the way ofamuse-
ment, and he said the only way was to
take dad out to the Coliseum. and in
the dark roll barrel of broken glass
down the tiers Of seats and make him
believe there was an earthquake that
had destroyed the Coliseum, and that the
lions and tigers were all loose. looking
for people to eat, ard scare dad and
make a run back to town.
didn't want to play such scandalous
trick on dad. but the Chicago man said
that was the only way out of 1t. and he
could get barrel Of broken glass for
dollar. and hire four ruffians that could
roar like liors for few dollars. and 1t
would give dad good exercise. and may
be save him from run Of Roman fever.
cause there was nothing like good
sweat to knock the fever out Of fell
lows system. The thing struck me as
not only a good experience for dad, but
a life saver. so whacked up the money,
and the Chicago soap man did the rest.
After dark We went out to the ruin OF
the Coliseum, where great many tour