The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-09

looking man came down the path to
meet him. and when they had shaken
hands Mr. Bowser querieo:
I believe you advertised to take =
few select summer boarders for the
next two or three weeks2"
You are correct" was the answer.
Where are you going to put them -
In the house. sir
1t was a lonesome looking old
house PaueS OF glass had been broken
out, the roof needed repairs. and only
one forlorn apple tree stood within a
hundred feet of the door for shade
Down behind it was a great marsh.
with grass six feet high Mr. BoWser
was letting his eyes roam over this
marsh when the man said
~.That is Lake Paul. sir. In the
spring the grass is entirely covered
with water. and then there is beautiful
boating and fishing"
But this is not spring"
No, sir
Then there is no Lake PauI-no
boating-no hshing-no Sathing2-'
Not to speak Ono, sir; but we
hope that our guests will be willing
to dispense with those frivolities.''
There were two men and one WO-
man sitting under the apple tree The
men were smoking clay pipes and the
woman gnaWing away at a windfalI-
Are those some OF your select
boarders ?" asked Mr.. Bowser, after
looking them over
They are. sir, and they say they
never enjoyed themselves better They
drank a gallon Of buttermiIk between
them this morning I forgot to put
that in the meut-that but
termiIk was free to guests Excuse me,
sir. but you're making so many in
quiries it leads me to ask il you are
very particular person. If you are
not. perhaps your wife is ~
I'VE are not liars and swiudIersi~
replied Mr.. Bowser, who had begun
to get mad as soon as seeing the
house.
by which you would convey the
impreSSiOu-2''
That the owner Of A shackIety old
ranch like this who advertfses as you
do ought to get three months in jail
It's an outrage
Sir replied the other as he drew
himself up with much dignity Il took
notice Of you while you were yet half
a mile away 1 did not like your gait
I did not like your shape. As you
came still nearer L saw your face to
u1istrust it. You will excuse me, sir,
when 1 say that 1 could not take you
in here as select boarder. Indeed.
I could not take you in at all"
And you hold family prayers night
and morning shouted Mr.. Bowser. in
his wrath
The soIemn-Iooking man whistIed
for his big dog. and the three boarders
was told to go. He looked at the
crowd and at the dog and went On
his way back TO the depot he was boil
ing over with indignation, and uncon-
sciously heightened his stride He had
not yet reached the building when 4
constable stepped out from a fence
corner with a watch in his hand and
said:
Il make it thirty-five miles an hour,
and you will come with met"
What in thunder is this all about2"
demanded Mr. Bowser
Running your auto beyond the
legal speed limit"
But I have no auto.''
Same thing You were hum ping
along at thirty-ive miles an hour. mad
as a wet hen. and any collision with
you would have been dangerous to life
and limb. Come along"
Mr. Bowser had to walk a mile with
him to the house Of a Justice of the
Peace. The justice was not prepared
to agree with the constable that =
baId-headed man with duck legs was
the same as an auto. and the victim
might have escaped a fine had he kept
quiet He couldn't do that. but turned
TO and called the constable a fool. and
His Honor an ass. and was fined fifteen
dollars for contempt of court and given
one hour to get out of the county
copyrighted. 1907, by Homer
Sprague.)