The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-12
TIE EVENING Story
Fiction and Friction.
(By Margaret Muzzev. 5


land
Young DR.. Brandon, Just returned
from Europe, FASTENED to congratu-
late his successful friend. and, to his
amazement he found the writer in
the depths Of despair
John Hastings, what is the mat
TER Are you not satisfied with being
the most admired and discussed man
Of the hOur2 You ought to be costa
tic, elated, delirious with joy, and you
oyster"
Why should rejoice in success
when the only reason I tried for it is
gomez" John groaned
What do you mean ?"
Il was engaged to Ethel Ransom.
you remember. and only waiting for
money to support her
Some people consider that an in
significant detail
Unfortunately, Ethel's father did
not, but now my fortune is assured,
she refuses to marry me altogether"
May ask Why?''
''She declares that have drawn the
character of Aunt Mary Moffat from
her grandmother, and held her up to
ridicule before everybody.
She is crazy!" Brand exclaimed.
There are plenty of Others" point
ing to a pile Of letters sAl1 those are
from people who recognize themselves
or one of their relatives among the
characters of my book. Listen to this:
Dear Mr.. Hastings was so
pleased to find you made me the hero
inc of your book. I told the editor of
our village paper and he put a piece
in the HuckIeberry Junction Post
about it. Please send me your auto
graph.
There are. more heroines, a number
of heroes, and you remember the man
I called the 'patriarchal parson' ?@the
woods are full of grandfathers exactly
like him, it appears. As for the Aunt
Marys. their name is legion-there are
at least three in every village in the
States
Brandon helped himself from the
pile and read aloud:
Dear Hastings as I
cannot fail to do so, the depletion OF
my late lamentable aunt in the title
character of your book I suggest that
it would be a thankful act for you to
put a monument on her grace. Her
folks can't afford it. 1t would be
good ad. for the book, too
Brandon laughed heartily
What fun It would be to get these
people together. suppose we go TO
my house at Knowlbridge and give
party for them9 Perhaps if Ethel sees
the numerous other claimants she will
give up her idea about grandma
John demurred, but was finally per-
Suad6Q DN bIaHQOHy WIZ dSSuit4CQ tnC
entire responsibility, and sent the fol-
lowing letter to each of the originals
Mr.. John Hastings requests the
honor of your presence October the
sixteenth, at z o'clock, to meet the Ia
dies and gentlemen from whom char
acters in his Aunt Mary Moffat were
drawn"
''I have seen your capricious charm
er and prevailed upon her to come to
our party said Brandon. a few days
later. 'She hesitated. but she will be
there#the unmistakable glitter of GU
riosity was in her azure orbs.
First among the authors guests to
arrive on the suspicious sixteenth was
an alleged "patriarchal parson, per-
sonally conducted by nephew named
Samuel Bangs. The heroine was rep
resented by married woman (whOse
husband came also), a young widow
and a sentimental maiden. Two clerks,
a bank cashier, and commercial trav-
eler appeared for the hero, ana TOUR
Aunt Marys in various stages of senfl-
ity came attended by enterprising rel
atives.
II wish we had never invited them, .
said John nervously. I'VE Will have
row as sure as sparks fly upward. .
Leave it to your uncle" said Bran
don. It wouldn't miss it for a golden
- Suppose they find one another out
before supper"
sThey can't break loose and wax
confidential between now and seven
o'clock.
Brandon announced the guests as
they entered the drawing room. Sam
Bangs came last, his face radiant with
smiles and soap; placing one hand on
his spine, the other on his heart, ne
made a real dancing school bow, and
said:
This is the proudest moment of my
life
John thanked him and Brandon said
he was lucky to keep his heart where
he could lay his hand on it so readily
Ethel arrived and insisted on going
with the housekeeper to the buffers
pantry. where she stayed, looking
through the door.
Brandon, opposite John, at table,
forced the conversation to be general,
steering it off the book, until the des-
sert appeared. then John rose
Ladies and gentlemen he said. II
have been fortunate enough to bring
together a number Of people represent
ed in my book. We have the hero,
Thomas Presley; the heroine, Jennie
jenkins; the patriarchal parson, and
Aunt Mary Moffat herself. VIII those
have named rise while I drink their
good health
Here is to Aunt Mary Moffat and
all her friends, relatives and acquaint-
ances." said John. and glasses were
drained amid great applause
Then. in order to identify each char
after. he suggested that II should be
seated except the hero and heroine and
four Thomas Presleys and three Jennie
Jenkinses were left staring. first in per-
pIexity, then in rage, at one another
There must be a nlsunderstan,d-
ing, said John Surely. there can be
but one hero or heroine Of single
book"
The three women talked at once
the heroes nuttered bitterly-the per-
sonaI conductors exchanged nasty con-
s5arces-Iohn cast q glance toward
fhe door. but Brandon laid detailing
hand on his shoulder
my friends" he said. 1T IS plain
that Mr.. Hastings has drawn composite
characters, taking from each the quail
ttv for which YOU are best known Is
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