The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-27
BOwsER HIRES A HALL.


For four consecutive evenings Mr..
Bowser had spent two hours each
evening in the library, and had re-
fused to explain his action to Mrs.
Bowser. She knew that he had been
writing and hunting up statistics, but
could get no further. For four days
and nights he went around with de-
termined and heroic look on his face.
but as he came home on the fifth she
saw that some sort of climax had
been reached.
Had he invented new style of bal
loon?
Had he bought huckleberry farm
Had he found a substitute for but
ter?
Had he found a sure cure for hog
cholera?
Had he solved the potato-bug prob
lem?
These and a hundred other ques-
tions fitted through her mind, but she
was to ascertain that Mr.. Bowser had
done nothing foolish. Having an
nounced at the dinner table that duty
called him out that evening. he added:
Mrs. Bowser. it may be something
of surprise to you, but 1 am going
TO make public speech tonight.
hired Locust hall and gave out notices
three days ago."
rs that why you have been acting
so mysteriously for the last few even
ings?" she asked.
There has been no great mystery
about it. 1 have had to have a lot
of statistics to prove my case, and
know that if I mentioned the object
You would discourage me-"
Il might have encouraged YOU in
stead. although 1 confess that see no
reason for your making a speech
What is it about?''
Am I a respectable. law-abiding
and patriotic citizen of America or
not?" he asked in reply.
why. yes, of course
Am L an honest MANI"
Certainly "
Then your question is answered.
Mrs. Bowser. you read the papers.
You know that we are passing through
an era OF corruption, political and
otherwise. Patriotism and honor are
dead. and graft and dishonor reign.
The people no longer have confidence
In anything. AS a matter of fact, any
child ten years old can tell you that
unless something is done at once this
country is bound to go to the dogs"
And you promise to keep it from
such a calamity"
II do. I have hired a hall. have
invited the honest men of the COM
munity to come out. I am going to
make speech-a speech that will be
the beginning of a new era. 1 shall
snow such an appalling state OF affairs
that men will tremble. I shall put
their duty so plain that none will dare
shrink from it. 1 shall sound the
slogan of a new Bunker Hill. II my
speech takes as we'll as I hope for ]
may organize a new political party
then and there. I believe that a new
party called the Bowserites would
sweep this country from end to end
and restore the lost confidence and
patriotism"
Yes, 1t might" replied Mrs. Bow
ser In tones betraying her doubt 'sDc
you expect large crowd to hear you
speak,"
"All the hall can hold, and hun.
dreds probably turned away. There
is widespread demand for reform
The people are ready for it. 1t mus
come or the country must return tc
barbarism."
And-and have you got confidence
In yourself as a speaker"
All the confidence in the world
1t is the one theme on which car
turn myself loose. The papers to.
morrow morning will tell you all abou
1t. We have arranged to have five
or six reporters present. They will
put large share of the speech In
capitals and italics"
We'll, 1 hope you will come out al
right. but I'm sorry you went into 1t
Hadn't you better run over YOU
speech with me before you deliver
it?"
mo. ma'am. I hadn't 1 know wha
the speech is. and I know it's al