The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-03
The Epenins Story
Boossnins ube So =.
(By Donald Allen.)

Aeee~~>~$
The Boston Ideal Theatrical COM
pany was gsttins ready to take the
road for the summsr. It would play
''Haxel Kirke.'' Lady .Audleys Sc
cret." and "A Young Girls Love-aH
tremendous successes. The cast was
large. and every actor star.
Misc Vivian Temple had been Inn
ported fri England. at great expense
a. leading lady and her support
Frothtngham. who had supported
some of the greatest actresses OF the
last decade. New scenery by the best
artists! New costumes by Worth!
Mr.. II. p. J. rockingham sat In q
back room Of q second-class boarding
house in a city. So did his wife. who
was the Vivian Temple Of the stage.
He was figuring with pencil and
rumpling his hair. and she was darn
ing stocking and saying nothing.
BY and by he showed back with a
groan. and she asked: well. how do
you make 1t Pr
II am figr ing on opening at Little
Falls. and that is forty miles from
here"
"Yes?"
I won't have c dollar left"
And II you don't have q big house
there. we are busted?''
You've hit it,"
"And IL we had three good nights
the grand summer tour will be a sue
cess?''
"A grand success. What scheme
II am goi- = to pawn my watch and
go to little Falls week ahead Of the
opening. and think can guarantee
you three good houses
IF you can do that you are the
greatest leading lady on the boards
| v,1o
Three or four days later nand-
some woman descended from the
Once-a-day train at Little Falls and
was driven to the inn. She gave her
name as Vivian Temple. and promptly
stated that she was an actress In q
company soon to open there. She had
not come on professional business.
however. She was widow, and had
been for two years. Some husbands in
dying bound their wives not to marry
their income or to haunt them, and
acted real mean about it. Mr. Temple
had been right the opposite. When
told by the doctor that he had Oily q
minutes to live. he h said:
Vivian. old girl. I am going to take
She understood what he meant and
wept. So s~~
IF asked you not to marry again
I suppose you wouldn't?'
Mot in a thousand years"
But I am not going to ask you.
It's q mean husband that does that.
shall be up there having a good time.
and don't want to look down on the
United States and zee you unhappy
That is good of you. but I shall
respect your memory by refusing all
offers. no matter how gilt-edsed they
are"
"oh. but I can't permit 1t. am
worth 500. 900. and I shall stipulate that
unless you marry again within two
years you lose every dollar Of it. 1t
shall be given to, bow-legsed men,"
She promised to carry. out his wishes.
and he died a.. happy - 2 man can
come tax. The wtdow Eemip1e acknowir
edged that she was rather slow about
some things She had put on the Sec
ond husband matter until now there
were only five days left. Within that
five days she must md husband or
lose that fortune.
Who wante. a wife and 500, 600 in
cash? Who wanted half Of that sum
| simply for going through a ceremony?
Size asked the question. the two papers
IN town asked 1t. and in q day the
| whole population WAS asking 1t.
There were widowers. bachelors and
appealed to them. They could shut
their eyes and sea the yellow-backs.
Some wanted q wife with 1t, but they
were not going to kick II they got moth
s Du' .@e money Iney were TO cali
81 .Il y the mn one couiont stano
~ .ue consentions "nen 30 much was
Aney called HOW many? She had
no adding machine to keep track of
the number. Some lived in the town,
and others drove in on the 1allop.
Inere was a programme about it. Enter
soun poe. ne FOUND smiling good
iooking woman.
5000 morning. Mr.. Doe. Have you
come as contestant!