The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-04
The Eueni1,g Story
The Pink Bomb.
(Bv Clarissa Mackie.)

OA0A Ae@. A<@s@~e@AOsJ
Bob Loring, stretched in the ham,
mock, shifted the smoke-laden air
with pleasantly vivid recollections OF
his boyhood.
The very smell of powder is tanta.
lizing," he muttered. IF / was kid
cannons and-well, I wouldn't be eat
| ing my heart out for any grill"
Across the wide lawn there was a
glimpse of Amy behring's white frock
as she sought the comparative seclu-
sion of the little pine grove. Amy was
tilnid concerning firecrackers and heI
small nephew was recklessly tossing
the suffering red crackers dangerous
ly near her seat under the trees.
Teddy came woefully up to Bob't
bit of glowing punk: in the other he
carried box of firecrackers.
Whats the matter. kid?" asked
Bob kindly.
"I want some one to shoot off with
me-" quavered Teddy. Mowers got
Woodsire. and Aunt Amy's a 'fraid
cat-'fraid of firecrackers!" he added
CONTEMPORARY.
well. you stay here and I'll help
you shoot them off" said Bob cheer
Fourth of July alone" He swung his
feet to the ground and made room for
the delighted child beside him. Lets
fire off these little fellows first he
advised with thought for Mrs. Bank s
aching head.
''She acts mad at me-" grumbled
Teddy as he blew on the punk stick.
Whom do you mean?"
"Aunt Amy. think she's mad at
me. She don't love mo any more"
She don't love me- either" remark
well. you amt her little nephew,
like am
Il don't want to be-"
''Nor her little brother, either" went
on Teddy.
"Glad OF it!" calculated Bob savage
ly. THE last thing I'd want to be is
Aunt Amy's brother. Ye gods!"
II expect it's because she's such a
'fraid cat observed Teddy after he
had listened to the infantile popping
a big girl like Aunt Amy wouldn't be
lis she crying?" demanded Bob
sharply.
Teddy nodded vigorously. "she
showed me away" he said mournfully.
II thought was her dear lamb!
Bob threw q brotherly arm around
the small boys shoulder. You can
be my lamb, Teddy" he consoled him.
Teddy was comforted and began to
cherish resentment toward his beloved
aunt.
''she needn't be SO cross,'' he NUT
tered Just because she's afraid of
crackers. I'd like to know what she'd
think II blew her up with a big
bomb?"
she probably wouldn't be in a posi-
ton to do much thinking" commented
Bob dryly.
i've a great mind to sneak up be-
hind her and set or some cannon
crackers" remarked Teddy, growing
bolder. What do you think. Bob?
Wouldn't she be scared?'
Il know a better way" replied Bob
chr
Whats pink bomb?'
You wait and see-bring me that
bunch of pink tissue paper from the
box over there" While Teddy trotted
of on this errand Bob scrubbed a
and tore out the leaf. This he placed
in the tissue ball he deftly made. The
bomb was tied around the top with
bit of Irvine and a deadly looking fuse
protruded from the end.
careful directions.
Go into the pine grove. Teddy, and
drop this on the ground behind Aunt
Amy. Touch your punk to tho fuse
and then tell her that there's some
thing inside OF II for her-from me
tell her II she don't want to read It,
does want to see 1t. why put the IRE
out-that's an-see?''
NO. said Tedy blanl<ly. There's
not much noise about that bomb. is
there?''
You'd think so II you could hear my
heart!"
I'll do 1t for you Bob. because I
love you" said Teddy going or with
the pink bomb: but think It sounds
rather silly
Bob sank back in the hammock.
"Silly!' he groaned. IT'S the
act Of an asinine careers'
Perhaps Bob Loring was rather Sc
we're on himself; but he was hopelessly
in love with Amy. and lately the girl
had grown 90 cold and distant that only
a persistent lover would have faced her
aloofness and accepted the Banks in
was continually planning for an oppor-
tunity to tell Amy about his love and
invariably she evaded his manifest
declaration.
Today was q fair sample. Here was
he glooming alone in the hammock;
there in the pine grove was Amy
Teddy had said she was in tears! Was
there another lover? Bob's heart jump
ed unpseanntly at the very idea Of q
rival.
He looked over at the pine grove.
Teddy was approaching 1t by devious
routes ana with elaborate caution.
There was just a glimpse OF Amy's
white skirt.
Then Teddy appeared. tracking
throukh the gloom Of the pine trees.
the pink bomb glowing like . great
cabbage rose.
Bob sat up alertly. quite forgetting
to feiEn indifference In case Amy
glanced his way.
: thin spirai ef smoke cur,ed up
sssss