The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-02
MIR. BOWSER'S COOK.


/ have been the cook in the Bowser
family for the last year, and have read
what the papers said about him and
know it to be true. On several occas-
ions Mr.. Rowsers experiments with
gas-saving and coal-saving appliances
has put my life in peril and for six
weeks he was mad at me because 1
would not ride down from a second
story window on a fire-escape. Being
in the family I should keep family
secrets, but something happened the
other night that the public ought GER
girl at SIS per comes across a wolf in
Sleeps clothing she feels 1t her duty to
expose him.
Mrs. Bowser's mother was taken sud-
denly i'll and telegraphed for her to
come. l expected to hear Mr.. Bowser
raise a dozen objections and call his
mother-in-law an old cat and all Of
that but to my great surprise he said:
Yes, of course, you'll have to go.
Poor old mother, I hope she isn't going
to leave us. Just pack up a few things
and I'll see you off in the morning.
"And about the house?" she asked.
II may be gone week"
That's all right. Annie and I can
keep house while you are gone. You
know what g trusty girl she is. I shall
be in every evening"
But you'll be lonesome
"Oh, I'll get three or four new books
and do a lot of reading. Don't worry
that won't get along all right
I was dead sure that he had a trick
up his sleeve, but, of course, I could
say nothing. Mrs. Bowser left the next
morning, and after seeing her off he
went to the office and I did not see
him again until night. When he had
eaten his dinner he said to me:
"Annie, the Gay Old Boys club has
meeting tonight"
Yes, sir"
at am member and have got to be
there"
"As 1 long ago explained to Mrs.
Bowser, the Gay Old Boys are not gay
at all. On the contrary, they are a
very solemn set. The club is named
after Judge Gay, who was an Old Boy"
ct see, sir
at shall probably be home by 10
o'clock but if I am little later than
that you needn't worry. We some
times hang on a little to discuss the
best means of saving the country. Go
hear any noises down here to waken
you pay no attention to them I may
fall over a chair, you know"
Yes, sir, I have know you to when
you came in late at night" I said.
"Oh, have you? Mrs Bowser is
dreadfully careless about leaving chairs
In the middle of the floor. Did you
ever hear me talking to myself after
getting homer"
MANY a time, sir"
"Um! 1 didn't suppose you had. If
Tn out to club and make a speech
the words keep occurring to me after
/ get home. 1 may make a speech to-
night, and you may hear me after ]
get home, but don't let it bother you u
mo, sir. Shall I leave a white rag
sticking in the keyhole outside so that
you'll have no trouble with your key?''
''Um! I'm! You had better simply
remember what I have said" he re-
piled as he went up stairs to get dress
ed.
: Mr.. Bowser left the house about s
o'clock, and. after Thomas had arriv-
ed and courted me for a couple OF
hours, 1 went off to my room and bed
i didn't undress, however, and 1 left
my door open. had fallen into a doze
half a dozen times. and it had gone
midnight when I heard a fall down
stairs. AT the same time there was
a sort of screech from the family cat
and the poor creature came boundine
UP stairs with a look of terror in her
eyes. I am no hired girl at SIG per
to be scared of ghosts, and at once
went down stairs. The front door STOOD
wide open, with stray dog lookine
in, and on the floor of the sitting room
lay Mr.. Bowser. He was badly rum
pied up. l should think that a mar
that had been blown up in a sawmil
would look as he did. 1 was lookine
at him and wondering what 1 Should
do when he sat up and blinked at me
and asked: