The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-25

floor again and Mrs. Bowser could
hear him whispering to himself as he
walked. When he came back to his
chair again, he said in very serious
tones:
ct am off I shall go this very night
to catch steamer which sails early
in the morning"
rs there any great hurry about
1t p" was asked.
He entered the library, took down
the old junk sword and buckled it
around him and came out with the
bare blade in his hand. After giving
it five or six flourishes around his
head. he shouted:
"On men! On to victory or
DEATH"
(which means you will go to-
night" asked Mrs. Bowser.
In five minutes and I may never
return. If I do not you will remem-
Der that my last thought was of you
as cannon ball struck me full in the
chest and made widow of you
ct know you will fight bravely, Mr..
Bowser, and if you will wait a minute
1 will find pencil and pad that you
may write to me how your brave men
followed and cheered you. I shall let
the papers over here know how glori-
ously you died. If you get cold and
have a lame back try and get a mus
tard plaster to draw the pain out. Here
is loving kiss for you"
T.
ing kiss. He merely waved a farewell
with his hand and stalked out still
carrying the unsheathed sword in his
good right hand. He was off for the
Instead of seeking to restrain him
from going, Mrs. Bowser had prompt
ly encouraged it. He had tried to
bluff her but had failed. What course
should he take now? He was walk
ing along the street trying to plan out
nd
sword as a cane, when a policeman
stopped him and asked:
rs there a military parade any
where tonight?"
Then why are you all logged out
with that old toad sticker?"
'I have started for the war"
The war in Europe9" was asked.
Yes
We'll, you had better go back home
again. They have got enough crazy
men over there. Where do you live ?"
"Oh, back there a little ways" was
the Indifferent reply of the hero, as
he clattered his sword against the
trunk of a shade tree.
Then I'll see you to your gate. It
strikes me you are not quite right in
your head. It's against the law. any
how, for a man to walk the streets
with a deadly weapon in his hand and
I am responsible for the lives OF the
people walking on the streets. Does
your wife know you are going to
WARP"
Yes; she said that I could go If
wanted to-
But you didn't want to go7" laugh
ed the officer.
Mr.. Bowser made no reply. The
officer had seen through his bluff as
clearly as Mrs. Bowser had done
Come on old man, and don't hack
any more shade trees"
The officer took aIr. Bowser by the |
arm and led him to his gate and /
opend it and whispered in his ear:
4 am a married man also and know /
how the old thing works. Whenever |
we have row the old woman gener- /
ally comes out first-best. The way for
you to do is to sit on your steps for /
about two hours, although the night is
rather chilly, and then go in and tell |
her that the war has closed and that |
there is no longer a chance for you to |
make a hero of yourseIr. Better throw 1
that old sword at the first dog that |
comes along. Ta-ta, old man.
Mr.. Bowser followed instructions I
and Mrs. Bowser replied.
THE war is over is it2 Well, am
glad of it it. But you can wait and go
10 the next one"