The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-29
TIE EVENING STORY
His Apprenticeship.

They had been held for Perry's benefit,
but he had not seemed to benefit
thereby.
This was to be sort of farewell in
terview Not that the father expected
to die soon, or expected his son to die,
or intended to turn him outdoors, but
ne mad been saving up some vigorous
opinions for year past which were to
be delivered on this occasion.
1t may be said of Mr.. Perry Degraw
that he had an income-he belonged
to three clubS-he thought he was last
he mad been abroad. and he was no
masher. In spite of all he could do to
be tremendous fellow, he was con-
sldered to have principles and to be
harmless. Perry was not a college
graduate. He had developed no talent
for business or a profession. He was
just taking things easy and getting
ready to shoot tigers in India and ele-
plants in Africa. The father had
fretted and fumed more or less. but
there had been no change.
Enter the son for the interview. The
rather sat with a stern look on his
face.
"Oh. now, governor. 1 say don't
greet fellah this way" said Perry,
who had on his English morning suit
and was speaking to match the checks.
Son." said the father after a long
look at him, you are an asst"
B'jove, GOVERNOR
"a silly ass, Perry!''
You can't mean it,"
Five times; ten times over You
are cipher. You have a cabbage
head on your shoulders. You would
not know enough to come in when it
rained if a policeman didn't give you
a shove"
Am I too fast, GOVERNOR" asked
the astonished Perry.
Too fastl Why, son, you don't
know q n 10
couldn't be fast. You were never
| drunk in your life. You never had
over two cocktails in an evening You
never won or lost over IS on a horse
race. The newspapers never refer to
you as a l4iEh roller"
But, governor. the fellahs all
say
IT know it. They all say that you
are would-be, but you haven't the
brains to blossom out. Sorry for you,
son-mighty sorry. 1 know just how
you must feel
But this isn't fair. doncher know"
protested Perry.
There you go with another of your
sap-headed words! Lord, but what an
empty pate! You spent three months
in London, and you came back with
English clothes and English 'donch-
ers-' Does an Englishman go back
home from the States to ape us and
make a fool of himself?'
That's a new one on me, govern
must get that off at the club. Is the
interview at an end?''
almost. 1 just want to say that
the other day you. quite finished your
career as braying ass. 1t has come
to my earS that you made a wager
with another of your i1k that you
would have the widow Strong in love
with you within a year"
Eyes, Governor bet of ten dol
lars" complacently replied the son.
And you have never even been in
troduced to herl"
''Nevar. Gov"
by thunder, but you are forty
fools rolled into onet What's a father
to do with such an offspring?"
"Oh, I'll win the wager all right
Got me little plan all worked out It's
tremendous. Gov.-posftively tremen-
dous. You will be surprised when it
unfolds. You will discover that your
son Perry has brains after all. B'jove
you'll pat me on the back after it's all |
overi''
The father turned away and looked |
out of the window for a moment. and |
then quietly said:
Perry, We have never had a fool in |
the family that have heard of, and 1 |
don't like the idea. It seems that \
must put up with it, however. Do this |
much for me, please. Don't be just a
things in that line. Gamble wager,
get drunk. Get a flying machine. Elope I
with somebody's wife Kill three or |
four people with your auto. Start for !
the north pole. Go about with a hob
BILE skirt on. If you'll go in to be the !
biggest fool in America I'll furnish you
all the money you can make use Of
sorry, Gov.-sorry-but I cawn't
do it. We know" was the reply. Got I
my little plans to look out for. Would
like to oblige, but must decline. No /
hard feelings, I hope. Thanks for your
kind wishes. By-by."
Mr.. Perry Degraw lived at his clubs
and appeared at his fathers mansion |
only at intervals. Sometimes he was
seen once q month On this occasion
he disappeared after the interview, and
it was weeks before he was heard of
again There was report that he was
investigating the Panama canal. but it
was not considered reliable. No one
worried about him. however.
The widow Strong owned and occu-
pied manor house forty miles from
the city. She was still young won-
her auto was brought to the door that
she might proceed { a village four or
FIVE miles away, she made the dis
covery that her chauffeur was intoxi-
Gated. He was discharged on the spot,
and Just as q young man who looked
TO be walking student came along.
He saw the situation and offered his
services. He claimed to have expert
ence. and after some hesitation was
engaged to run the auto for the trip.
The results were twofold. The widow
had heard of Perry Degraw's wager,
and she believed she recognized the
young man in the stranger who had
arrived at the opportune moment.
He was therefore enRaHed to act as