The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-25
THE EVENING STORY
Health and Hymen
(By Stacy E. Baker

manu. tAe OrlVer OF the great car
chugging' restlessly by the curb
bounced eagerly down from his seat
and relieved that youth Of his lug
gage.
For small town. this Blissville
has them all beat" ruminated the
young cigar salesman, leaning back
on the rear cushions. "Blissville for
mine, hereafter, at every opportunity.
Must be peacherino of a hotel when
1t sends an automobile after its
guests
In all truth the chauffeur was es-
| flashed dizzily by, and the main stem
of the little burg unfolded as a dirty
gray ribbon to the unsophisticated
roadster who was even then making
his initial visit to the trade.
"'Speed on, McDuff,'" misquoted
! the commercial man. and leaned hap
PLY back to dream his omnipresent
dreams.
On and on went the car at an ever
opened to contemplate a picturesque
building just ahead. -Four stories
high. it hared to the very sky several
gaudy gables which a color loving
owner had caused to be smeared with
all the colors Of the rainbow.
"Gee!" murmured the astonished
youth as the car slowed suddenly
down to turn in at green hedged
roadway leading to the spacious
1
| tuition, mine host must suffer from
an acute attack of coloritis. This is
the happiest looking plant I have
| ever stopped at The machine came
| jumped hastily down and opened the
| door for Damon to alight.
A fussy little person came forward
and grasped the youths suit case.
"You are here. I see," he elbowed in
voice that told of no lack OF lung
power.
Just So" acknowledged Damon. He
eyed the man curiously. II suppose
you are the proprietor. This is my
first trip through this section"
The squat monkey-like person star
| ed, at hope it will be your last he
rumbled. mo. I am not the boss.
I'm the general athletic instructor.
Mulqueen is my name" He seized
drummer and squeezed it to beating
pulp.
Arthur Damon had had some ex-
perienee with hotels, big and little. In
fact, the youths income had allowed
him to see something of life on most
expensive plane, and his move in
the capacity Of a cigar salesman had
nothing to do with needing the money.
There were other reasons. But in all
Damon's experience an athletic in
structor for the guests of a hotel was
unheard of. You are a what?" he
gasped.
IAN athletic Instructor" roared the
their dumbs, do" He summed up
the broad frame and the erect shout
ders-back attitude Of the youth be-
fore him. you look as If you could
go some" he volunteered. st have set
your try-out for Q o'clock"
Me-" gasped Damon. mot me, my
friend. L have other business to at
tend to- They were now on the in
side of a large we'll furnished office.
where is your register?' demanded
the cigar salesman.
You don't have to register" loudly
assured the athletic instructor. "Ev-
erything is O. K. We have had your
"Say!" preluded Damon. taking the
stocky one by the arm and leading
him toward cushioned seat at some
little distance away. you and 1 want
to get together. There's some mis-
take here You evidently take me for
some one else. I am Arthur Damon,
a cigar salesman, and I am in your
| old burg on business and not to pull
off boxing bouts with-er-athletic
! instructors"
you think you are" calmly came
from the other, "but as a matter of
fact you are Andrew Dimling, of New
York, suffering from a nervous break
down caused by too much burning or
the candle at both ends, and you are
here. gentle stranger, because papa
| telegraphed for a suite for you, ex-
| planning the many little mental vagar-
/ les of his promising son as he did so.
| Now, my boy, you just leave 1t all to
us. Don't worry. Physical culture
and a little abstinence from grog will
serve to put you properly back on your
feet again, and you will thank the
Blissville Physical Culture sanitarium
"Blissville Physical Culture santa
riuml" reiterated the youth. isn't this
a hotel?"
s'This, my lad, is health resort.
We hand you an ample abundance OF
the vital spark here-at SO much per
spark. Your board is paid in advance,
youngster. Don't worry"
Listen" came from Damon. who
| pretend that you believe me, you
know, and I'll entertain you for few
brief moments.
I'm the first place, really am who
| in nv belfry, and / haven't the least
| idea what made your driver bring me
here-unless it is my initials, A. D.,
| n. Y. c., are on my suit case Any
way to get down to the subject
am here on more explicit business than
the mere selling of cigars. My pros
| pective papa-in-1aw is at the hotel
the real hotel in Blissville-and I am
supposed to meet him and discuss
| er-certain things"
(which you won't" beloved the
other, and with a click of his stern
| laws. "I wouldn't dare let you go
while the boss is away, and, besides,
| / don't believe you.'
| at will be an easy matter for you
to establish my identity. If your thick
head is capable of assimilating rea-
son." snapped Damon. Just call up
/ the hotel and verify my statement
| "Why should your prospective faith
er-in-law be here ?" asked Mulqueen
| suspiciously.
HE is at the head of the cigar COM
| bine," explained Damon, impatiently.
II am here to marry his daughter If I
| can prove, by sticking out on the road
! and selling cigars that have enough