The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-26


years ago. 1 stopped in Chicago On ny
way to The northern lakes, putting W
at the Grace MOTEL corner 1T Gal h
and Jackson streets, Il European no.
tel. The hotel office was on the sec
ond floor, with elevator entrance from
Jackson street, a71 stairway running
down from the Office to Clark street
Upon leaving the office. / descended
the stairs and started north or clark
toward the corner oe Jackson sire ct
AS I reached the corner. 1 almost ian
into John T. Williams. then IN the
lumber business in Topeka, and good
friend of mine We were both 1nuch
pleased at the unexpected meeting,
and he decided not to go to the Grand
Pacific hotel. as he intended doing,
but took a room at the Grace. We
had a pleasant little visit, then parted,
each going his way Nothing remark
able about that, was there?
The third year following the above
occurrence, about two months iater
in the summer. however, 1 was again
at the Grace, on my return from Il
northern trip, and had again descend
ed the same stairway to Clark street,
turned northward toward Jackson, and
as approached the corner the
thought of my meeting Williams there
several years before came into my
mind. AS / reached the corner. around
it. with grip in hand as on the other
occasion. came Mr.. John T. Williams
of Topeka! To say that 1 was aston
ished would hardly express it. He APP
peared about as much Jared at meet
ing me as / did at meeting him. and
before I could open my mouth to
speak he exclaimed, well, I'll be
darned, Just as ! came along here
a few feet back l said to myself. The
last time I came along here l met Pick
Smith-wonder where he is now.
then ] looked up. and if you wasn't
right there on the spot / never want
70 fhn If
"Old man." exclaimed 1. as we Wig
orouslv shook hands. you echo the
very thoughts that were chasing about
in my mind as I came up to the cor
ner: the sight of you has sort o un-
nerved me-.
Feel kind o. shaky myself" said
John T.. 'but the sign on this window
would indicate that we can find relief
Within
Rather queer coincident-the meet
ing, I mean
In 1895 I took a trip to Alaska.
taking steamer at Tacoma, Wash. At
ter my first meal at my hotel iii that
city, I stepped out on a nice broad
veranda at the rear of the hotel, over
looking beautiful sheet of water.
which | admired exceedingly. also its
mirror-like reflection of the charming
surroundings. After my next meal, CT
gar in mouth, 1 again sauntered out
on the veranda, when. much to my
surprise. the noble sheet of water had
turned almost entirely into sandbars
and mud-fiats. To a gentleman sit
ting there with his feet on the veranda
rail. I said, Whats the matter with
your old lake,"
Nothing. so far as I know" an
gwered the man. WHY"
''why. the waters all gone / re-
piled.
The man turned on a queer little
smile. then said. I'm the first place,
It isn't a lake, but Puget Sound; and
in the second place. it's low tide
Come along with me for a minute,
please I fastened to suggest. He
came along all right, but would take
nothing but cigar.
I learned something that day.
Next day about noon I saw some
beautiful mountain trout in the. win
dow of a fine restaurant 1 went in
and ordered some for dinner. and when
the waiter was fixing things about the
table he asked me whether I would
have water or wine to drink.
How much is the wine a bottle?" 1
asked.
why. nothin'-same as the water"
said he.
Did I take water? I did not That
may seem queer, but many queer
things happened on that trip.
another tninS tnat seemed bit
queer to a Kansas man was to find
that the steamer on which he was to
sail was named THE City of Topeka"
The first evening on the steamer
after leaving Seattle. while steaming
up Cor DOWN. The Sound / was stand
ing in open-eyed wonder near the bow
taking in the passing sights-a few
of DEMONSTRATING alongside nice
looking gentleman. who appeared to
be enjoying himself gazing about and
pulling at a big black cigar. Presently
he asked. ''Neighbor. where you from %
the question most often asked by
travellers.
I'm from Kansas-from Topeka"
said l.
That So, inquired my new friend.
ST used to have a cousin living there:
if you've lived there for some little
time. you have probably heard of him:
he was the former Episcopal bishop of
KanSas-Bishop Vail
Lived in the next block to him for
years-tin he died. went on. About
all my folks were under his sway for
many years, whereupon he presented
me one of his big black cigars, and
after he contributed light as well,