The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-27
BOWSER'S BRIGHT IDEA.
But Mrs. Bowser Rubs 1t Away With |
a Big Damp Sponge.

When Mr.. Bowser came home the
other evening he had a parcel in his
coat pocket and with the natural cur
iosity of a woman, Mrs. Bowser
reached for 1t, but he stepped back
and said:
You let it alone and after dinner
I will show it to you"
1T must be something precious
TT is. There may be millions of
dollars in it,
Then I hope I may get a couple
of dollars out of it to buy me a new
corset
After dinner, as Mr. Bowser walked
to and fro in the sitting room, he
looked like a man who had something
very important to communicate, but it
was five minutes before he got around
to say:
Mrs. Bowser, you are aware that I
have had number of bright ideas
since we were married 1 candidly
admit that some of them turned out
failures, but I have got one now that
cannot fail 1 have gone over and
over 1t. but cannot find one loophole
of success in my whole life
I'VE have no place to keep a COW
If you are thinking of buying one,''
she quietly replied.
Cow? Cow? Who is talking
well, whatever it is 1 shall be
glad to hear it,
Mr.. Bowser took three or four more
turns around the room and then
reached in his pocket for the parcel
He was very deliberate untying the
string around it, and Mrs. Bowser
began tc think there might be dia-
monds in it, when he cast the wrapper
aside and placed sponge on the
stand before her. 1t was rather
cost of it might be guessed at about
10 cents.
"a sponge?" queried Mrs. Bowser,
as she tested her finger to it.
Just a SPONGE" chuckled Mr.. Bow
SER
IT'S too coarse for a bath SPONGE"
Mr.. Bowser's face fairly beamed as
he chuckled and sat down, and he
kept her in suspense for thirty Sec
onds. before he said:
You do not connect that sponge
with my bright idea, and yet it is the
foundation of it. 1 do not blame you
for not catching on at once, for the
charpest' men would be puzzled over
it. That sponge, Mrs. Bowser, is like
ly to be the foundation of a great for
tune"
well, don't dodge around, but tell
me plainly about your bright idea
"I will do so, and l think you will
say that I have struck the right thing
at last Mrs. Bowser, you have read
and heard of the submarines used in
this war;"
"Of course"
you know then that they appear
close to a ship and PUNK a torpedo
into her side. A yawning hole is the
result, and in from five to fifteen min
utes that unfortunate ship is at the
bottom of the sea. You have also read
of ships striking floating mines and
being damaged so that they sunk al
most Immediately. You have also
read of collisions between ships and
one or both going down as the result"
yes, I have heard of these unfor-
tunate things" replied Mrs Bowser.
'Supposing had a scheme to save
every crippled ship in future?" was
asked, with a proper gesture to make
the words dramatic.
You can't have, Mr.. Bowser.''
There it lies before you" :.
This is only sponge. 1 hope you
are not losing your good sense
Mrs. Bowser, my scheme is as sim
pie as a stick of gum and will prove
SO effective that 1 will wager my life
on it. The ships sink because the
water PUSHES in, don't they?
Of course. Well, in my scheme the
water rushing in makes no difference.
The ship may be crippled somewhat,
but she won't sink and no lives will be
lost. How much water will this sponge
absorb ?"
Now, then, to keep you in suspense
no longer, here is the idea. I put in
the hold fifty tons Of dry sponges and
her cargo can be slowed on top of
that AS the water rusheS in, at the
hole that has been made, the sponges
absorb it and the danger of founder
ing is thus avoided. 1t is one of the
simplest schemes in the world and it
Is a wonder that it was not in use 100
years ago. Now, then, find fault with
it if you CANT
1t was like all others of Mr.. Bow
ser's schemes-all moonshine, and af-
ter a Tcsture of despair. Mrs. Bowser
said:
Let US figure a little"
''Of what use to figure?" replied Mr..
Bowser, as a frown came to his face.
.-''All schemes have to be figured on.
Dur druggist once told me that the
eoarest of sponges cost about dollar
L pound at wholesale. You propose to
put in fifty tons into the hold of a
ship. What will be the cost of such
L cargo? It will be 100000, accord
No to my figures
Mr.. Bowser's face turned red and
ais jaw fell but he let her go on.
How much water will fifty tors Of
- @nnrees absorb? can not give