The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-10
BOWSER. HE BLUFFS.
But for Once in His Life He Finds It
Doesn't Go.

It had been Mr.. Bowser's bad day
at the Office. Lots of little things had
turned up to perturb and annoy, and
as he made ready to start for home
he gave a sigh of relief as he realized
that he could pitch into Mrs. Bowser
and make her suffer for all. He adj
mitted that she had been three miles
away all day, and was not directly
responsible. but who but her had let
him leave the house that morning with
a frayed collar on?
Mrs. Bowser had passed a pleasant
day and had no premonition of what
was to come until she saw Mr.. Bow
ser drop off the street car. His walk
betrayed his feelings. There were GER
tain things about which she could not
be mistaken. One of them was the
way he kicked the gate open instead
of treating it with respect. The front
door was open, and she was in the hall
to meet him and remark:
Dinner is all ready, and as soon
as soon as we. have eaten 1 want to
have a talk with you"
with me?" he growled.
Eyes. sir. Things can't go on this
way much longer"
81 suppose the cook has quit or a
water pipe burst %
Never mind what you suppose. You
will learn all about it in due time
Mr.. Bowser was taken by surprise,
but after getting seated at the table
he remembered his plans and looked
the dinner over and turned up his
nose. He was about to ask if it came
from a penny restaurant when Mrs
Bowser pointed finger and said:
mot a word, sir. It's the best ]
could do. and plenty good enough for
anybody
fBy thunder, woman, is this my
house or some one else's?" he ex-
claimed as the red came to his face.
That's a question, sir. to be settled
later on. Meanwhile I want no more
profanity at my table. You are alto
gether too free with your words"
She spoke so quietly and earnestly
that he was awed, and though he lost
something of his appetite he never
theless found no fault in words He
had never seen Mrs. Bowser exactly
like this before, and he was puzzled
to make her out. During the last five
minutes of dinner he decided that the
case called for heroic treatment, and
when they had reached the sitting
room he began.
Nov, woman, are you ready to
apologize to me for your language ?"
mo, man. 1 am noti' she replied as
she turned on him. eff there are any
apologies coming you will make
theml"
s.You are in your right senses, are
you?''
And you know who you are talk
ing TOP
1T do. Your name is Bowser.''
Eyes, my name is Bowser, and I'm
not used to be talked to like hired
man. Both our lawyers can be reached
by telephone, and"
"Oh, I know all about our lawyers
-divorce-alimony, and all that, an6
we can settle the thing in an hour
1 am anxious to have it settled
by the great horn spoon, Mrs. Bow
ser
Never mind about any horn spoons
Here is the gas bill for last month. I
! is so. cents more than for the month
! before. Of course you'll say that
gave it away or sold it or burned i
| in the daytime to spite you. That
an old trick of yours, and 1 have go
tired of it. Only two nights ago yol
! left two burners in this room goins
at full blast all night
Holy smoke. womani" he began, blu
his throat choked uD and she cut il
| on him with: