The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-27
EVENING CHAT
70 you Ike surprises2
BY RUTH CAMERON.

1 am so fond of them myself that I feel
sure you do. Remember sometimes when
you were little how father, mother or
big brother would put a stick of candy, a
many colored pencil, or some other child
ish treasure under your plate: and re-
member how delighted you were when
you came to the table, saw that inverted
plate and how the treasure beneath it
became twice as delightful by reason of
being a ''s'prise?"
Remember. too. that time when big
brother came home and said right out of
a clear sky, "How would you like to go to
the circus this afternoon ~ or course,
YOU do and you can remember as well as
If 1t We're yesterday how you jumped up
according to your sex. Surely the reason
that whole excursion stands out so vivid
in your mind is that it lifted out of
the ordinary by being a ''s'prise."
Well, then, since we've decided that you
like surprises, as well as I do, I'm sure
you'll want to hear of d new kind of sur
prise that Molly, the little stenographer
lady, told us of the other afternoon.
The author man was glum. No, it
wasn't because the magazine market was
as bad as the stock market No, it WASH t
anything else We could suggest. Very
well, then, if we must know, it was simply
because he was sick to death of himself
and his vile temper. Just the other day
he had made up his mind more firmly
than ever before, that he would control
it and just this morning he had failed
egregiously-
That's the way, it always is" he con-
cluded, lover and over again I make up
my mind that I will do better next time
and even while I'm making that promise
] know that the very next time I get
angry, I'll say every bitter, unreasonable
thing that comes into my head I'm al
most ready to chuck the whole thing"
We were all silent for a minute. We
knew that the author man had consider
able provocation for temper, but we
couldn't very well say that.
Molly spoke finally. did you ever try
giving yourself surprises, David?" said
she.
Don't know what you mean. Molly"
said the author man with the Hfelessness
of complete discouragement-
well, you know" explained Molly,
It's this way. I used to have just the
same feeling about getting up in the
morning-that is, I'd promise myself
every night that 7 would get up when
called in the morning, and even while 1
was promising I'd know 1 wouldn't. Well
one morning when was lying there
thinking I ought to get up, but wouldn't,
it popped into my head, Why not give
yourself a surprise by getting up this
minute?' And so I did. I jumped right
surprise to myself And nice one, too
for I had time enough to dress in COM
fort, go out in the garden and pick a
bunch of pansies for my desk And I've
done it lot since-given myself surprises
about different things, 1 mean You don't
know how much putting it that way
helms When come home tired throw
myself on the couch, and don't feel a bit
like helping mother get supper, I'll think,
(
surprise by hopping up quick and setting
the table ] do it and when I sit down
to supper, 1 can feel better than If
hadn't"
BY the time Molly had reached this
point in her peroration, the author man
Guinness had vanished. He was looking
down at her with the beautiful smile Of
amused tenderness that we usually keep
for children.
Molly looked up and caught the smile.
you are laughing at me- she accused.
Indeed, I'm not" said the author man.
ION the contrary I'm going to surprise
myself the very next time I get chance"
Truly" cried Molly rapturously. She
thinks the author man very wonderful
and regrets his approval as a sort of ac-
colade.
Molly" broke in the wants-to-be-
cvnic, who had been listening with I'M
wonted attention. Il say, Molly, five
times you've promised me you'd take that
tramp to Bears Hill and then put 1t off
Now I want to go this afternoon and I
hope you are going to surprise yourself |
by putting on your buds and coming.
II guess he's got you this time" said |
the author man. But why don't you |
Molly? I feel just like a tramp and I'll |
come, too, If I may"
.sOh will you, David - cried Molly with |
delight. TN go this minute"
But whisper while I tell you a queer |
secret. I don't think the wants-to-be- |
cynic was the least bit pleased.
,t-nr. lxouldno1 aes' s:-B? shrdlu shrdlum |