The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-20
FROM THE INSIDE
Teachers Association COnven-
ton as Viewed by a Member.
Character and Tone of Saluta-
lions That Are Heard.
THE MAJESTIC HOTEL CLERK
Has Close Second i'm the State
House Official.
POnderOuS PerSOnageS Often
Seen at the Meetings.

''7ow do you 90, Chancellor Va
lide?" Sdlutation given and acknowl-
edged in grave and stately tones be-
fitting rank and station. How are
you President Aquae? All, President
Structor, too; and President Lane.
How are you aIl?" Solicitations in tone
just a shade less classic and more
business like than the first. We'll,
Doctor Dryasdust, how are you en-
joying yourself?" Tones not so formal
as in preceding case for doctors"
are about as numerous as profess
sors'' once were 'Howdy, Professor"
this in a careless offhand way, just IS
though you didn't care whether you
hurt mans feelings or not. Then
fessor, meet my friend Principal
Blank" l can not classify superin-
tendents for they are so varied. The
only classification that 1 can think of
is one that 1 learned for the bones
long. short, flat and irregular" They
receive honors due. All of which
leads me to observe that we Ameri-
cans love titles. The best and last
Hello, Bill you old villain, what in
the future condition of punishment
are you doing here? Say, am glad to
see you"
These are some of the greetings
that one hears in the lobby of the
hotels where the teachers do most
congregate. Tt is worth while to
watch them mill around, group, dis
solve, regroup. They are all good
fellows and most of them are worth
knowing. They are human, they are
real folks. L know that l loved one
university man more after watching
him trying to smoke cigar. At first
he had the air Of one who says, Il
am just plumb devilish." He was d
novice and spit like a geyser erupting.
Pretty soon 1 noticed that whitish ap-
pearance of the flesh just around the
l.
then a hurried exit. Humanum est
errare, itaque cum amavi.
The Hotel Clerk.
The hotel clerk in crowded times
has always challenged my interest and
admiration. So calm, so neutral, so
immutable. Angry waves of teachers
surge and fall upon him only to retire
broken, baffled, beaten. His air is
blase, tired, and superior. His voice
a deadly monotone, having the ex-
act qualities of expression that a
mans voice has when he talks in his
sleep. A teacher may be great on dis
cipline, he may be tyrant in his
household, but before the clerk when
the hotel is full the teacher is soon
reduced to the ranks, he becomes d
pulpy mass, spineless and Quivering.
The clerk with "eyes unimpassioned
and slow, unmOved in the midst of
the throng," standing, expanding his
chest like a pigeon on a wet day.
: May L nave a room 2 P1teOuS tones
on part of suppliant. Full" in
tones of neutral tint, devoid of pity,
interest or human feeling. Avaunt.
Sic volvere Parcas. 1 think the hotel
clerk, though, has his use, for many a
teacher who has been a tyrant in his
home and school, who has made and
executed his own laws and listened
attentively to his own applause, has |
felt how futile was his power when |
compared to that of a hotel clerk |
and has gone home from defeat at the |
first trench, a chastened soul.
State House Officials.
1t is rather interesting to see the |
state house officials attitude toward |
the teachers. 1t is one of amused toll |
erance. 1.-The moping owl doth to the |
moon complain of those who wander |
near her sacred bower, modest her an |
cient solitary reign" The officials |
emerge from their retreats, their faces |
grave with the cares of state, and |
watch the crowd in a speculative way |