The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-06

I'VE have the Home phone and we
have decided that central will not an
| swer this time of night
Gould you give us some kind of ac-
commodations for the night, even on
| the floor for three ladies?'
mo, 1 could not, but there is a large
| house three-quarter miles ahead and
they have both phones, including the
Bell, and you can talk over that at all
hours of the day or night"
ElkinS was not equal to his better
name. He would not give ear to our
trouble, not lend US the ear of his
phone. He gave up nothing but what
we took away and that was only
bad impression. We were in sight of
his house for five hours and were pleas
ed that his sleep was broken during
i that time for We could see him up re-
peatedly with lantern. looked about
his place, apparently to see If any
thing but his sleep had been disturbed
by his unwilling intruders.
Meanwhile, the accommodating farm
er who had a bad name but a good
disposition, had gone on, thinking he
had left his new found friend in good
hands at the first house.
The StarIit, Dusty. Road.
The Topekan then proceeded toward
the west to the large house with two
telephones 1t was a dark but starry
night for q ramble over an unknown
inches deep. 1t was a long mile when
the house came in view. Here, also,
were lights and numerous barking.
SWAPPING dogs, that were kept at
distance by a pocket electric lamp. The
farmer was sleeping out under the
trees.
Il am in trouble 1 left an automo-
bile and three ladies about a mile back
and would like to use your telephone
to get help from Topeka. Your neigh
Dor on the west told me you had a
Bell phone
the other day. Don't see any use of
having two phones out in the country
We'll. could you give three ladies
some bedding and beds for the night
and let two men sleep in your barn or
out under the trees?''
you, friend, but the fact of it is, we
are all packed UP ready to move to
Lawrence tomorrow and have only
kept out enough bedding for ourselves"
We'll. will You let me try the tele-
phone you have?"
Yes, indeed" said he.
In the house the things were topsy
turvy and proved the remark of the
man. that he was all ready to move
away. After some delay Central" at
the village of Stull, two miles away,
answered, and was asked for Double
number hung assistance and suspense.
rs the message important" said the
operator. who was polite lady. She
did not seem to desire to talk, prob
ably because it was IL p. m.
1T is important, most important.
Three ladies. saying nothing of myself
and a hard worked chauffeur, are in
distress and must have assistance" In
time Topeka was raised but was I'M
able to be heard. The following mes
Sages were relayed-
"Our engine has gone dead. 1t won't
work on the magnetic OF battery. The
electric lights are about gone. We are
on a high prairie about eighteen miles
southeast of Topeka. three miles due
east. of Stull which is about five miles
south by east of Big Springs. Do you
know where Stun is? Come prepared
to fix car and take us in
After a delay of about forty minutes
this message was relayed:
Said They'd Send Charley.
I'VE will send Charley. He knows
where Stull is and will be out there in
an hour and a half
This was encouraging and the man
in trouble said to the farmer:
Now you have been mighty good to.
me and know the ladies out in the car
are about famished for a drink of wa
ter / wish you would give me buck
ct"
Well said he. there is a water
famine here. but there is a good well
down in the field. L will give you a
Jug
Graft was his name. Nothing like
Graft 1 wanted to pay him. 1 told
him had given all my change to the
man with the helpful horses. He said
1 did not owe him anything: that he