The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-14
THE EVENING STORY
Her Suffering Sutton.
(By Lawrence Alfred Clay.)

youth in the land. Then the shadow
fell. He found himself in love with a
medical journals say that such cases
are rare. but are to be met with oc-
casionaIly.
Young Chester not only suffered to
the girl but to his teacher, his par
ents and brothers and sisters and 9TH
ers: 1t was looked upon as a novelty
at first: then it became serious. He
could not say dog without hanging
on to the "a A doctor was called in.
He examined throat, tongue, larynx
and palate. and said 1t was a case
where the nerves of bashfulness had
overcome the nerves of cheek. or
something to that effect, and he doubt
ed If it ever could be cured. The only
thing that would work a cure would
be some great peril coming on the
stun him for a moment. This would
give a sort Of back-action twist to
certain nerves and muscles. and the
stutter would take its departure.
The youth suffered as the years
went on and he grew to manhood.
That stutter kept him out of society.
1t kept him from making new ac-
QuantanceS. 1t made recluse of him.
| Many of his friends predicted that he
would commit suicide before he
reached mans estate. but this did not
occur. The victim lived in hope. In
great peril and sudden shock that was
to effect cure. Whether it would
come in the shape of a policeman
bearing down on him with his club, a
reckless auto or a street car collision
no one could say.
Roy Chester was % years old when
he was induced to become a pupil in
suffering school in New England
town. In that same town there was
young ladies' school, and in that
C-1.
only daughter of the retired Colonel
Schoolcraft of Beech Haven. Fate sent
her to ask him IL the noon mail had
gone out. Off came his hat, the blood
rushed to his cheeks and he suffered
out that he d-d-d-d-id-n't k-k-know.
1t was the first time Miss Minnie
had ever heard a man stutter. There
was something captivating about it to
her: It was original. It was unique.
1t was a hundred times better than
mere don't know" She returned
thanks and smiled.
When there are a great many good
looking girls going to postoffice
more or less frequently, there will be
a good reason why more or less young
men will drop into the same place.
Thus it was in the New England town.
Somehow they get introduced and be-
come acquainted, and the world seems
brighter all around.
In time Miss Schoolcraft and Mr..
Chester became acquainted. He was
bashfulness itself, and he had little
to say. The school wasn't doing for
him what he hoped. Even when he
fell in love he realized that 1t was
hopeless case. 1t was not until after
he had been assured over and over
again that he had a delightful verna-
cular that he took courage. If that
peril would only come and give him
the longed-for sudden shock! He hop
H. OF f<rt1&
and he hoped for it when he got up
in the morning.
And then vacation came and he and
Miss Minnie were separated. He could
write without suffering, and ne d1d
write. 1t was one Of his letters that
the girls mother found ana carried
to the father. The colonel read every
last word of it, and then called the
daughter up to ask:
who is this fellow who writes love
papa, he's just the incest young
man You ever heard Of; was the re-
never! You can't be. My consent
has not been asked"
But it will be some day. Roy wants
to wait until his suffering is better.
"Stutter! Do you mean to tell me ne
stutters?" Numbered the colonel.
"Yes, papa, and it's just the incest
stutter you ever heard. I only wish
Won could hear him say: 'L-l-look at
i.t-the s-s-s-s Substituting s-s-sun,
ll-l-love' You would be positively
charmed"
Holy srnokei He shutters! He wants
to he my son-in-law and he shutters!
Drop it! Drop it or I'll lock you up!
'.Fut. papa, the doctors told him long
ago that if he met with a sudden
1T saw drop it! want my son-in-
law to enter the army. How can a suit
terer give the words of command? You
write to. him that you are done with
this Irritation.
obeyed. That is, some daughters would
have obeyed It. Miss Minnie kept on
writing whenever she had a chance, and
never even limited that her father was
a. terrible man. Mr.. Chester was in
Ff,rn,ed by letter just what MOTEL in the
CatskilIs the family was going to for
Sly weeks, and he was invited to make
his appearance, and love did what
money couldn't have hired him to do.
He iourneyed down there. Miss Minnie
was on the watch for him, while the
doughty colonel wasn't. The latter was
passing his days and evenings on the
yeranda telling war stories to interest
ed listeners Miss Minnie was truth
full and ingenious. AS she and young
Mr.. Chester sat on a pencn IN the tWl-
light she asked:
Roy, do you love me?"
He nodded his head and frightened his
hold on her hand.
You will have to ask papa if we can
be married. Papa's an awful man.
Have you the courage?"
She felt him shudder.
sOh, but you must have. After break
fast in the morning you must meet hini
as he walks out"
But I stut-tut-ter-"
II don't care for that. That was why
I first fell in love with you. Just talk
right up to papa You must, or we can
never be married. Come on and I will
show him to YOU
After breakfast next morning Col.
Schoolcraft walked out. So did Roy