The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-15
HE EVENING STORY
Papa smiths Waterioo.
(By Stacy 2. Bakery

G. nave tolo yous roared Papa
smith. his face fairly purple with rage.
that ! won't stand for You as son.
1n-iaW. The phrase may sound inele-
giant, but it's exactly what I mean.
:. a aac precisely. and just what I
fat fist down on the desk. '4''1 ''''0
Papa Smtth-listed in the annals of
business as John Anderson Smith,
aFcnilect-Was at least hundred
.'ounds heavier than this youth who
Just now. vita the color in his frown-
ing race. he summed up suspiciously
Ike the last mountain of flesh the de-
losed sultan Of Turkey sent over to
wrestie comparatively speaking) dust
weight Americans. Furthermore, the
aespot in the swivel chair stroked a
Stubby, brfstling mustache that the
eVerWrought mind of a seeker of a
;alr damsePs hand knew to be col
lection of lightning rods worn to pro-
tect the man from his own pyrotechnic
vocabulary.
Wh-wfl-why" gasped the pilgrim
at the shrine of paternalism.
Wh-wh-why?" mimicked the fat
man, steei-gray eyes flashing angrily.
because, you fool my daughter must
marry man. A man, dye hear? One
IT."
It must not be inferred from this
remark that Tommy Briggs. the I'M
comfortable reed swaying before the
wrath of the irascible old cyclone,
didn't do things. He did. He led CO.
CIlions, among other achievements,
and, as he had just proved. he could
me hearts OF fussy, opinionated papas.
Mammas, on the other hand-those
mammas. at least, who are always
scouting on the ramparts of society for
possible young bachelors of family and
fortune-would raise their hands in
horror at tho idea of refusing Tommy
The hand of any Of their girls.
Unfortunately for the slim young
and the pale blue eyes. the daughter of
the house of Smith was motherless,
end Smith was contented to have her
remain in the clan of Smith until more
'leady material than the Briggs scion
materialtzed. Miss Eva Smith was a
girl. peach-pretty, and unspoiled by
the very nice society into which she
had been thrown. Tall and slim, with
mass of wavy b1ue-black hair and
dusky. dream-lit eyes, the maid was
men of her set.
Best of all, she liked young Tommy;
in fact. only the night before she had
half-confessed to him her passionate
love, and Tommy. backed
by his million dollars and good pros
poets. had trudged manfully to Pepper
Smith for his blessing before popping
the question.
Inc interview naQ terminated III q
monologue, with Papa Smith doing the
shouting. It was all very painful, not
{ My to Tommy Smith but to the other
occupants of offices in the block, who
found themselves compelled to. sus-
pend business until the megaphonic
voice of the irate architect had
Gained down.
The meek and lowly sutton assimi-
lated a great deal of more or less good
advice, and carefully noted prognosti-
70 h; ahot f11fy a
rever had quite realized, before. his
Personal failings. In the beginning,
it had been rather of a novelty. this
summing up by the old gentleman.
ned the youth. Seeing this, he had
frightened him still more. Then Briggs
rad waxed angry. I'd
you can stop your silly ranting,"
interrupted the sutton, suddenly. at
makes no difference at all. intend to
end of 1t. If you won't give your con-
sent I'll marry her. anyway. Hear
mel"
OLD Smith gasped in surprise. So
the worm had turned9
ooh. you will. will your" he grunted
sppreciatively. 'eWhy, you toad. you
won't get chance to propose to her"
"I'il propose to her. all right"
growied Tommy, his eyes blazing;
Don't you imagine that l won't. She'll
accept me, too"
Papa Smiths fat lips curved to a
oisagreeable sneer.
"I presume''-he spoke slowly and
with scathing emphasis-"that your
tale of an abused love in the girls ears
when ] am not at home. That, inn
agine, will be your way of doing things.
You are not man enough to carry wour
battle into the open. any more than
you are man enough to get out and
earn your bread by the sweat of your
Erow.''
Young Briggs bit his lips With an
effort he kept back the burning words
writing on the tip of his tongue.
1T promise you" the youth answered
1T last, shat anything I have to say
o Miss Eva will be said in your pres
ence. But, repeat, sir, I shall pro-
pose marriage to her."
John Anderson Smith gazed at the
youth before him in gruds:ing admira-
ton.
"You must carry heavy accident in
surance." he laughed contemptuously.
If you do that" He peered critically
n Tommy. ct don't believe you have
the courage to attempt it, he added,
:mpulsively. you don't look as II you
narrowed-"and can get away with it,
I'll reconsider this-er-proposition
you've put to me- Smith, ignoring
his visitor. now turned to his desk
The interview was over.
1t was thoughtful Tommy who
betook himself to the elevator. The
little curve of optimism about his
mouth was gone. Three new wrinkles
marred the placidity of his brow.
Young Briggs. for the nonce had
something to think about. For the
first time in his f1uttering career,
had been denied him.
It needed just this denial to bring
out the latent points In the youth.
His starved brain seized the prob
lem eagerly. So
A week passed.
EVA" growled John Anderson one
evening. his suspicious eyes on the
girl, sis that young whippensr apper
still hanging around ?"
Miss Eva's fair face flushed.
(Which one, father 2" Her voice
was calm enough. You know, at
different times. you have dubbed
them all that-individually and col