The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-25
THE EVENING STORY
What He Did with Himself,
(By Elliot Walkerl

orlng a 1ellow. Oh, 1t was great in the :
| beginning TO be taken up, petted, show
cred with invitations, made much of |
| by the society crowd! There's Carl |
FORREST. His uncle left him big pile
| Ring him in. I declare I'd like to |
| play poor for a while-oId clothes and,
a stick-a wanderer among simple
folk, just to find someone who would |
care for me for myself alone why |
| not? 2"
! He laughed thoughtfully. repeating |
why not?" as his steps took him near |
a closet.
81 guess few of my ancient duds
were packed in that old trunk" he |
| said and opened the door to fall on his |
| knees and eagerly to claw over a heap |
OF worn garments, not thought of for |
five years.
His fingers dwelt affectionately on a |
wrinkled suit; on shabby cap 81 had !
| good times in these he muttered. |
mo harm to see how used to look. |
Put 'em on. Carl, and feel easy"
His handsome eyes lighted as he at
tired his tall, graceful figure in the |
CASTOR apparel "Reminiscences was in |
him. Inspiration seized him. CLOTHES!
I feel like kid going.a fishing"
An hour later Carl was merrily
tramping along a rural highway. The
sun shone for him, the birds warbled,
the rills sparkled. the leaves rustled,
! the breezes fanned-all for him in his
masquerading. He whistled, he sang,
prodded the dust with a stick cut in
a thicket.
In the old clothes the mans limbs
| swung easily. Little cared he for the
stains of grass and earth when he
/ drank from the wayside springs. and
i rolled, aboy-like, among the ferns.
Time slipped by as he strolled.
exploring attractive spots. The sun
grew hot. 1t must be after noon. Sud-
denly he became aware of sharp de-
sire to eat. Now for a house. Would
they set a dog on him?
The girl answering his knock on the
back door of the farm house stared at
the young man with the amused, hap
py face. Her gaze wandered over his
poor attire and dwelt upon his hands
Then he looked full in the twinkiing
eyes admiring her fresh. youthful
beauty with no trace of irnpertinence.
A deep blush further crimsoned her
round cheeks. He, also. began to show
traces of embarrassment. Carl saw
that woman's instinct was penetrating
his disguise.
I'm not exactly a tramp" he said,
biting his lips, but I'm hungry. 1 can
1--WE don't feed tramps.'' came her
reply my father doesn't allow it.
And we don't take money from a poor
man who is out of luck and asks for
bite There are many such who are
not tramps. I'll get you something. 1
Forrest smiled, interrupting the low,
musical voice.
That's it, young lady. I'm away out
of luck. Lately haven't known what
The girl eyed him sympathetically.
at know" she returned. Times are
hard. At what do you work, when
busy?"
Forrest glanced at his worn shoes.
/ Surely this little country maiden used
, good language He racked his brain
for an answer. Somehow. he wanted
her good opinion.
1--WE been companion" he re-
| Travelled
: other people. 1t hasn't been much Of
| a success. I don't seem to strike the
right ones"
"Oh. YES. Such an occupation must
| be full of exactions, particularly for
, "a gentleman. But I'm forgetting
: your lunch. / saw you weren't in the
, manual labor class. VIII you come in,
or sit here?"
eff you don't mind, I'll eat under
j, that apple tree. It's shady there and
the air is fine. I can't get enough of
it."
"All right" She disappeared. and
stretching Comfortably. IT need air.
My little hostess in calico beats the
! whole bunch Of frills and gossip. So
, a due-kissed rosebud. Thinks I'm a
gentleman. Ell? Well, I'm glad I
washed my face and hands at that
brook. I'll try to see more of her."
1
: hurried.
Father is working just behind the
barn, and I'm not bit afraid to sit by
my gentleman while he eats" she re-
f1ected. Perhaps he will like COM
pany, and If he has Travelled I'd like to
, hear about things and places have
so longed to see and visit. I don't care.
, I'll ask questions and learn. What
. harm can it do? 1 know he's a gentle
man, poor fellow. There! 1 guess this
! tray will keep him busy
|; Going out to Forrest, she made a
. picture The man closed his eyes for
! | a moment. 1t would deepen the i'm
: preston. A thrill stirred his pulses
when she seated herself, her eyes
: bright with quiet excitement and an
Yes. Carl could talk and eat at the
same time. oh, yes, Rome, Paris, Lon
don, the Yellowstone-he was familiar
with them. Was Miss-ehi-Brent-
acknowledgements His name
was Forrest. Well, now at Naples two
The girl sat entranced, clasping her
hands, drinking in every word he
talked The man lost himself in the
telling, almost forgetting to eat. This
was worth while. When he enjoyed
such a listener?
once, absently he touched her fin
| gers 1t was Ike an electric shock to
both They started, a glance shot be-
| tween them, and blood ran in their
II cheeks, the man coughed pardon
f me- and for moment could not go
on.
Finally he rose. Hilda's eyes held
him. They were dreamy and sweet
Her lips parted like child's.
"My!" she uttered, II should love
/ to be a companion.
Carl steadied his voice, laughing
slightly.
"You have done me a world of
good" he said. 81 thank you for
Everything. Money I can't offer. 1t
, would seem an insult. But 1 have
some trifies, picked up abroad. These