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

--.. n- I-t-I nave Sone over
there from this country" said Mrs
Bowser All their armies welcome
Americans and give them due credit
for their bravery ard fighting. 1t is
very easy for an American to get over
there if he wants to go"
Mr.. Bowser looked at her in curl
Gus sort of manner, and after walk
across the room and back, he said;
Mrs Bcwser, for the last six
months I have wanted to go so bad
that | dreamed of it No such chance
has ever occurred to me in all the
years before. 1 have been on the
point of speaking of it a hundred
times but the fear that it might set
you to worrying has kept me silent
We have a sword hanging up in the
library. 1t may not be the sworG or
Bunker Hill think l bought 1t of
a iunkman for q dOllar-but the sight
of it sends thrill of glory through
me and makes me think OF welding
1t on the field of battle with that
sword in my han nd l could reap honorS
and have my name go down in history
But you won't WELD it, finished
But I ask how can IT, demanded
the warrior.
from here to the corner You can
buckle on that sword or some other,
take passage on a steamer and IN TWO
weeks be leading your men against
history"
BY thunder. By thunder!" gasped
Mr. Bowser, with hands on his knees
as he bent forward and looked into
her face. Woman. do you mean to
tell me that you are willing 1 should
go and take part in the bloody fray?'
Il have been wondering for the last
six months why you didn't go" replied
Mrs Bowser.
Why I didn't? Why I didn't? I
have not gone because realized that
nv duty lay here at home. If the
thought had come to me that you
would be willing for me to go 1 should
have been off months ago. Do you
mean to tell me now that you are
wiling"
why. I should be proud to know
that my husband was leading his men
against the enemy in storm of shot
and she'll"
Mr.. Bowser waited in establishment
for a full minute before he said:
And l thought you would be right
the other way. Mrs. Bowser. I thought
if I even mentioned war and its glory
YOU would faint away, and fall on the
floor. 1 thought after you came to-
you would cry and beg and plead for
me to remain at home and protect
YOU
Protect me from what % was rath-
er Independently asked.
From the thousand dangers which
Turk about us day and night although
we are not in the theater of war"
I have never lost any sleep over
it"
Mr.. Bowser was nonplussed. Mrs.
Bowser seemed perfectly willing that
he should go to war. He had expect
ed different results when the CONVEX
satiOn began. He had no desire to go
to war. Even if called upon to de-
fend his own country he wouldn't
have been any too quick about it. He
wanted to stand well in Mrs. Bowser's
estimation. however, and he must re-
sort to a bluff. He therefore gath
cred himself together and resorted by
asking.
Mrs. Bowser. I want you to an
swer with truth and sincerity. Are
you willing for me to go to Europe
and take part in the great conflict.
which is raging there? Now don't
try TO dodge a question"
I shall not try to dodge it, Mr..
Bowser. If you want to be a hero
and have your name inscribed on the
pages of history, it is my duty to kiss
you goodbye and pray for your safe
return. If you return with one arm
or leg missing, 1 shall love you just
as much as now and shall honor and
be proud of you"
Mr.. Bowser got UP and walked the