The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-24

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what he is thinking about. From the
mere glance l got at that woman's
face / would wager my shoes against
toothpick that she is chronic beg
gar and wretched fraud.
I can't believe it, replied Mrs.
Bowser.
Indeed. What you can or cannot
I believe is of very little Importance to
nation of 100000 people, Mrs.
BoWSer. L say she was unworthy, and
that settles it. However, L do not blame
you so very much, as she pro badly told
a very plausible story; but let this be
the last time. 1 am just as charitable
as the next man, and perhaps more so.
but want to know who I'm giving to-
Il can't help but believe she was
just what she represented herself,
protested Mrs. Bowser.
That matter was definitely settled,
Mrs. Bowser-definitely settled, under
stand-when 1 declared her unworthy.
will some day give you instructions
as to reading human nature. but until
IL do, give to no more mendicants. You
simply encourage fraud, vice, ignO-
rance. and crime. There is no telling
but what your action in this case will
land that woman behind prison bars
tomorrow
Il don't see how it could,' she re-
Piled
Probably not. There's a great
many things you haven't seen, can't
see, and never will see, Mrs. Bowser.
When l am away give all such people
the cold shoulder; when l am home re-
fer them to me. In that way no mis-
takes can possibly arise
About O'Clock that evening the
gate bell rang, and pretty soon the
cook came in and reported that there
was man outside who wanted money
for a nights lodging.
All! Got the house located down
fine, haven't they." SarcaStically eX-
claimed MT. BOWSer who reading
his newspaper.
Tell him we have nothing to give,'
said Mrs. Bowser to the cook.
Tell him nothing of the kind add
ed Mr.. Bowser. .On the contrary,
send him right in here. Here's
chance for you, Mrs. Bowser, to take
a first lesson in reading human nature.
See how quickly 1 will turn him wrong
side out. Move that chair for him
to sit down on"
moment later the man was shown
in. He was a tough-looking specimen
of mankind and looked as if he had
tramped twice around the globe. There
was rum in his breath and shavings in
his hair, and had he even appeared
by daylight, Mrs. Bowser would have
shut the door on his toes.
We'll, sir?" sharply queried Mr..
Bowser
Its case of heart disease. sir, and
L can't work." whined the man.
Run out your tongue!"
1t appeared and vanished.
Let me feel your pulse
He extended a hand.
MY man. said Mr.. Bowser, you
have told me the truth. Your heart is
face that you are an honest truthful
man. Here's a dollar for you! Good
night
3Andy you call him deserving ?" gasped
Mrs. BowSer. after the tramp had slid
out with an expression of the greatest
amazement on his face.
Certainly 1 do. Saw it the instant
he entered the room It's just as he
have given him twice what I did"
IF he isn't tramp and a fraud,
then I don't know one!" firmly re-
piled Mrs. BowSer.
I've been trying to tell you. I'd trust
that man to carry my wallet all day.
A little down at the heel, but thor
ough1y honest and conscientious. Hell
10! What's that?'
Please sir, but here's a policeman,
who wants to speak with you at the
gate,' said the cook from the hall
door.
policeman? That's funny. Where's
my hat?'
Mrs Bowser followed him out.
There stood officer and there stood
the man to whom Mr.. Bowscr had just
given 81.
Caught him carrying these things
off, SIR said the officer, as he pointed
to pail, an umbrella, the cooks
shawl, several knives and a platter
which the scamp had picked up in the
kitchen as the cooks back was turned. |
tYou-you did" gasped Mr.. Bow
ser.
Yes, sir. He's a bad man. sir, a
regular thief. I've sent him over the
road three times myself"
rs it possible! What have you got
to say to all this, my MANI"
THAT you're the ripest old pumpkin
1 ever shook for seeds," answered the
man in hilarious voice.
When the officer had taken him
away and they had returned to the
Mrs. Bowser looked at
her Hege lord and queried:
'"Well.'
well what?" he snapped.
1T seems you were mistaken"
TT doesn't seem anything of the |
sort! In his great mental excitement |
over receiving such a large sum OF |
the man absently picked up |
those things, and if not seized by the |
officer would have brought them |
back and apologized. I'll see to it to-
morrow that the officers over-zeal- |
BUSINESS gets a setback. I've got the |
earache standing out there, and 1 |
think I'll go to bed. Copyright, |
1915, by the Mcclure Newspaper Syn |
dicate.)