The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-22
The Euenine Story



social game. When 1t WIS known that
a change was coming there was much
curiosity to know what the new man
was like.
Il hope he sings bass sid a MEM
Der of tie church choir.
IT hope he isn't a young man and in
clined to flirt.'' simpered an old maid.
III he plays a good game of checkers
III board him for half price" said Uncle
Riley.
Meanwhile the head Of the weather
bureau was talking to Burt Hudson.
who was to fill the place.
Young man, you have done well at
your other stations. and I'm hoping for
the same or better at Point Hope.''
II certainly shall do the best cam"
was the reply.
Il don't doubt that your official duties
will be performed in a most satisfactory
way. but wish to inform you that 1
am seeking t. raise the dignity of the
position. There are complaints that
some of our men at small stations play
pool. They pitch quoits with ;-iy one.
They go to candy pulls and barn dances.
A government is dignified position.
Mr.. Hudson
Yes. SIR"
And a government official should
never lie. himself down. He may mingle
with the Insiders in a social way. but
should ever consider his Lignity.''
Il understand, SIR" replied Mr.. Hud
son.
Burt Hudson had a social disposition
Some folks. particularly young folks.
had called him jolly. He had heard that
there were nice people in p Cope.
and had been pleased with his appoint
ment. He was not so well pleased after
ascertaining that h. must stand on his
dignity and be looked upon as prig.
His living did not depend on the salary
paid. but he liked the work, and was
pleasing his mother and a rich uncle by
his interest in it. ...-
In due time Mr.. Hudson arrived at
Point Hope: The population turned
out to meet him. He was himself
until within ten miles OF the town.
| and then he became somebody else.
He put on the mantle Of dignity as
advised by his chief. How it worked
was told in the comments of the peo-
pie when they came to compare notes.
| Il told him I'd lille to play check
efs with him." said Uncle Riley, land
he glared ike J. -uary blizzard
when he came in was for shak-
his family" said the landlord Of the
| inn, but he sorter drawed away as
| il was second class. don't believe
he'll eat prune sass once q week.
II shall never dare ask him out to
the farm to eat a boiled dinner" said
farmer.
Two of the most interesting people
in Point Hope were the Widow We'll
come and her daughter L-arian. 1t
i was said of them that they had the
incest home and the most money. and
no one disputed that the daughter
was the handsomest and best educat-
ed young lady among them. Marian
had never been told that she must
! stand on the other side Of a six-rail
fence. She had dignity enough, but
! that did not prevent her from being
jolly.
Two weeks after Mr.. Hudson's ar
rival he was being discussed by moth
er and daughter. A young nan had
escorted Marian and another girl to
the signal station and introduced
them. They were received with alto
! gether too much courtesy and dignity
/ to please them.
HE is a gentleman. mother" said
the daughter, but he freezes one. l
don't believe the governor puts on the
dignity that Mr.. Hudson does.
Perhaps 1t comes natural to him, -
observed the mother.
/ 1T strikes me right the other way.
There were times yesterday when he
/, seemed about to come down on his
! high horse for a moment and then
edly polite. He was courtesy itself.
but one felt that he was q mile away
! and the door locked against the
world"
"what have you girls learned about
him.
We'll. he sings"
"Yes?''
The boys think he can play base
ball."
'sYes?''
And they say he must know about
pool and billiards."
HE likely does"
But what we girls want il some one
that will pitch in with US and make
things lively. looked at Mr.. Hudson
and tried to imagine him at q candy
pull. but 1t sent the shivers over me-
well, dear, he may be quiet and un-
Idemonstrative among strangers, but let
US hope he will thaw out as he gets ac-
Quainted. 1 met him on the street the
other day. End rather liked him. We
will have few people in some eve
ming and invite Mr.. Hudson to meet
them"
Il .sTn tell you one thing. mater. Mr..
Hudson needn't flatter himself that he
/ owns all the dignity for forty miles
4 around. If he doesn't drop 1t I'll freeze
him.
/ A gathering took place and Mr. Hud-
son was there. He thawed out consid-
erably. but not enough to escape CEN
lsure. The majority said that his atti-
ttude belonged in q New York drawing
ROOM Miss Marian met him with a
smile, but at the look of dignity on his
face she froze up and was like an icicle
1.-The rest OF the evening The mother
was the only one of the party who read
Il the young man truly After the guests
/ had gone she said to her daughter:
II think can read Mr.. Hudson
x0IIKnE