The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-07

upon her with a look meant to squeeze
the life out of her body under
pressure Of 40 pounds to the. square
inch He fully intended to annihilate
her then and there, but he suddenly re-
membered that he wanted her assist
ance, and SO he contented himself with
saying:
Perhaps you are not to blame for
your ignorance. but please don't be
malicious We are to put on a play.
The title is, why MI. Dobbins Didn't
Get Married It may please you or dis
cast for the part of Dobbins.'
rs it really so?" Queried Mrs. Bow
ser. with a puzzled look on her face.
1T is really so. Here is my part.
just got it this afternoon. I also have
the part of the Widow Wrinkle, and
want you to read it and give me the
cues We shall have q rehearsal in
four or five days. 1 haven't the slight
est egotism about me. as you well
know, but am ready to declare that
expect to make a great hit as Dobbins.
have been told over and over again
that should have chosen the stage for
a profession
But you never said anything to me
about it,
NO? Well, several things have hap
pened which never said anything to you
about. and this is one of them Will you
why. Mr.. Bowserr' she exclaimed.
after glancing over his part. How can
you ever play this character of Dobbins?
Dobbins is down as a little. sawed-on man
Weighing about ninety pounds That is
to onset the widow. who is a large woman
and weighs about go"
But I'm going to make up for the part.
| amt IT, he queried with a note Of alarm
| In his voice.
Can you saw your legs OF to play this
| part? And You see Mr.. Dobbins makes his
: orrfr nh.u lust
| imagine you trying to squeeze yourself
into a dumb-wafter. And after he makes
his entrance the widow picks him up and
| handles him on her knee. You'd look
! nice being dandledr'
\ Mr.. Bowser grew as white as q bleached
snowdrift. and there was CLINT OF pound
ed glass in his eyes, but he held on ia
himself and simply said
60 ON. wonan-go on
We'll, in the first act the widow de-
| mands that you sing song. She stands
| you up on a table and you sing. Mr..
Bowser. even if you could turn yourself
| into a bandy-iegged little man. what about
ccnvulsed with laughter or rise up and
lombard you on the stage.
I understand Anything else?''
l Let me see. In the second act you are
| brought onto the stage in a bandbox. You
I might possibly get one foot into a band
| box, but what about the rest OF your
! are put into a cradle and rocked to sleep
| to the tune Of 'Mary's Little Lamb
! want to be there. want to see you in
the cradle.''
Have you finished with your insults?
i hoarsely inquired Mr.. Bowser. as every
individual hair above his ears stood on
end
| Let me look. There seems to be an
1 other woman in the play. and she wants
| to marry you. While you are seated al
the table in a high chair, ana the Widow
Wrinkle has gone out to get you some
bread and butter, with sugar on it. the
| villainess comes in through the woodshed
, and steals you and carries you OF under
her arms. Oh. MIR. Bowser, it would be toe
funny-too-
For three minutes Mrs. Bowser laughed
| and cried by turns, but Mr.. Bowser never
made q gesture or opened his lips He
| simply stared at her with large and
| varied assortment of cold-blooded muir
der in each eye. When she could control
herself she took up the parts again and
| said:
| Haven't you noticed that after you
have been stolen away the woman dresses
you up as q girl to escape detectionz You
are supposed to be a dear, sweet little