The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-01
The Euenir,g Story
EIddleStiCkS.


individual who affected too much
dignity for most occasions. There
fore whenever opportunity presented
itself to play joke on him and
ridicule his dignity, the crowd of
young people always contrived to
do SO.
April 1 was approaching and, I'M
mindful of the date-and, in fact,
not caring that it was All FOOLS day
the Mems League OF the town had
planned for a concert for the benefit
of the public school. 1t was to be
concert in which one or two Well
known musical artists. from the city
were to participate and, thinking that
little home talent might help to
bring out local citizens, the league had
asked George CASTOR Herbert to play
a number on the violin. The fact that
he was asked to play with well known
performers only added to his already
too sufficient self-esteem.
Its our one best chance" said Fred
Watson when he heard OF IT. Wen
him and show him that we see
through his big head"
It'll do him good-maybe,' volun-
teered Eugenias Welles,' who, in spite
of Georges peculiarities, liked him
more than a little
You're not very sanguine of re-
suits, Genie, eh?" asked Fred, point
eddy. But you'd like to be -
For answer Eugenia turned and left
him with a toss of her head She did
not care to be teased about George
since he seemed to be so unpopular.
But, deep in her heart, she knew that
his unpopularity was only skin deep.
She had the utmost confidence in the
belief that he would prove himself all
right as he grew older.
When the evening of the concert
arrived. the young people of the
town were all present and among
them there was suppressed excite
ment over the joke they had perpe-
trated on George. His number was
to follow a vocal solo by a young wom-
an from the city. She was rather ia
nous as a soprano.
Eugenia knew of the joke. and at
the approach of Georges solo her
hands became cold with nervous
ness. She wished that she had not
known it; she wished she were not
wished she had told him of it.
Presently the applause died away
and George CASTOR Herbert stepped
onto the stage, violin and bow in hand.
He carried himself with much dignity
and his evening clothes hung well on
his great frame. He made a stiff, but
not unpleasant little bow and lowered
his eyes and raised his bow to begin
his number as the accompaniment
reached the proper chords.
AS he drew the bow across the
violin strings the bow fell apart and
few boys in the audience cried April
hearted, for more of them than one
had repented, too late, of the practical
joke they had planned on one of their
mum Der.
For a moment George looked stun
ed. then, the full significance of the
episode dawned on him, he smiled
across at his audience and at the boys
who he knew had done it and said
"Fiddlesticks," Then he bowed and
left the stage.
A burst of applause rang out for
him for the good natured manner in
which he had taken this practical
joke. 1t was so unexpected that the
joke was a surprise to the jokers.
Eugenia Welles was trying hard to
keep from crying, and in spite of her
two big tears rolled down her. cheeks
Afterward George met Eugenia and
the boys in the hall. He was smiling
and good natured and he bore them
not the slightest grudge.
1T was all right, fellows de-
served it, I gueSSi"
You took it like a star. George"
said Fred Watson. 'If I could have
appeared I'd have done it. But it's
always such a temptation to give a
tumble to your dignity, old man.
You've done it. this time" he adj
mitted, nodding his head as if he We're
absorbing the full meaning of the
April fool trick his friends had per-
petrated upon him.
us?'' asked Eugenia timidly. Her
hands were beginning to warm up
again and all traces of tears had
do l look it %
You sure don't. George" an
swered Fred, calling him by that I'M
dignified diminutive of his name for
the first time.
And the others echoed the senti-
ments
Are you afraid to let me come
home with you, Eugenia ?" George |
asked, when he had an opportunity to
speak with her.
rs this bona-fide or an April Fool
offer of escort?" the girl asked, |
Try me and see.s laughed George |