The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-13
BowsER Is EXPOSED.
What Was the Matter With the Man
on the Street Car?

When Mr.. Bowser took the street
car home the other evening he sat
down beside a man who seemed to be
ailing. 1t was a case for solicitude, if
not for anxiety, and he was asked If
anything could be done for him.
I'm afraid I'm in for it, he re-
Piled Il stood it up to half an hour
ago, and I then consulted q doctor. He
once
"Feel chilly?"
sfNo-feverish.
'tThink it's malaria? ?"
Hardly"
Hope it isn't pneumonia. That's
something that goes hard with man"
1.-THE doctor said it wasn't pneu-
monia, though I'd sooner it was
tThen he must have given you a
hint of some sort2"
Eyes, he did"
"If you don't think you can get to
your house from the car all right I'll
assist you,' said Mr.. BOwser-
You are very kind. but I think I
can make it. One don't meet man
like you very often. These other peo-
pie in the car can see that I'm under
the weather, but not a word of sym
patty from any of them. Please give
me your card. 1t may be that can
do YOU a favor some day"
Don't mention it. When no long
er have a heart for others I want to
die
you've got the heart all right, and
/ nave a great nina 10 COIlAOS IA U u.
you can safely do So
'4Then lean over this way bit. The
doctor asked me if I had been ex-
posed to smallpox
by thunder exclaimed Mr.. Bow
ser, as he half rose up.
Don't jump that way, man! 1 told
the doctor I thought I had
"And you are coming down with
crush. Yes, It's probably the real
thing but as YOU have been vaccfnat-
ed lately.
put I haven't-not since I was
baby! Ny heavens, man. put you
shouldn't have taken carl
couldn't walk home, and hadn
the dough to hire taxi Besides, the
conductor Of this car beat me out OF
a dime one day last week and want an
to get even with him. See that tat
man over there? He called me hog
one day last summer because had an
end-seat and he had to climb over me:
He'll take It easy and nave a II har NJ
Bowser. -. 80
vou'll have it light. Going? Thanks
for your kind words. Hope TO see you
when we both get over IT,
Mr. Rowser got off two blocks from
rie own street and struck Sallop lot
home. He had thoughts. HIS haiT
crawled Like a fool he had entered
the car and taken a seat beside man
coming down with the smallpox when
he might have stood out on the platform
in the wind and snow. What shouid
he do? He could find no answer 10
the question and he rushed up the steps
and banged the door open
Are Won pursued by mad dog?
asked Mrs. Bowser as she came Tor
ward. 49,, to++o,,,
stair and groa ned.
-ssWhat is it?"
Croans and head shakes.
erWhy don't you tell me2
TT sat beside a man on the car
that had smallpox
ooh. I see. Couldn't have taken the
car ahead or the one behind? Wen. II
Won have smallpox we must make the
best of it, IT.,
but it's an awful disease, The
chances are that I shall die of 1t!
yes. but I've bean expecting every
dav for the last 20 years you'd bring
home something to kill us all off I'd
send for the doctor. only know he's
out of town How do you feel2''
Something terrible
Eyes. they always do I believe. You'd
better go to bed and I will treat you as
well as I know how for a day or two.
It may be that the man only has meas
les"
Smallpox. Mrs. Bowser-smallpox
Smallpox, and I'm a dead man.
ssNonsensel It don't come on as quick
as this"