The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-29
Cast of Characters.

J. T. Botkin, secretary of state
commander-in-chief keeps the money
and issues orders.
Frank Organ, assistant state audi
TORN charge of navy, fishes, SHORES
and plays politics.
Col. r. Neill Rain, assistant adJu-
tant general-in charge land forces,
teaches military precision.
The Newspaper Man-common Cit
izen on foot, general roust-a-bout,
hunts wood tick and moraliZeS.
Felix North, state house janitor-
the royal chef and the friend of
starving man.
Natives, with their wives, children
and mules
Perhaps it is only human that ev-
cry man lays away an old suit of
clothes and thinks of the time he will
wear it on that fishing trip For
years the newspaper man had done
that very thing. Every year, though,
a suit from the fourth or fifth year
back went to the rag man. Then one
day his dream came true. He was ac-
tually on a train bound for the Ozarks
in Arkansaw and the boss had told
him he might stay two whole weeks
and draw real money for it.
A hundred thoughtful friends had
told the newspaper man of the won
derful fishing in the OZarks. 1t was
Tom Botkin, secretary CT state, how
ever, who sang the real siren song. 1t
was a dreamy spring day and the
newspaper mans soul was filled with
sentiment and romance and love of
nature. He fell. Botkin sang the
same song to Frank Organ, assistant
state auditor, and to r. Neill Rain,
assistant adjutant general. Both con-
scented to leave their happy homes.
the paved streets, the white way and
friends who are dear that they might
help Botkin commune with nature.
Felix North, veteran state house jan
itor, was consulted about the cooking.
Satisfactory arrangements were made
and the party was off.
AS confidential adviser and best
friend, Botkin told his associates to
dollar bills. Among them the nature
lovers had enough currency to stuff
young sofa pillow. Then Botkin told
them that he was an established insti-
tuition in the Ozark country and would
transact the business for the party.
1t was at this stage of the game and
while the party was waiting for tick
cts at the depot that BOtkin shook
down his victims for their visible as
sets. Just at that time it all seemed
like safe, sane, sensible business. La
ter opinions were altered. Organ, as
assistant auditor, once asked for an
accounting All he got was wither-
ing look of Scorn and an invitation to
climb a tall pine.
The sun was still shining when the
party reached Kansas City. Surely the
heavens smiled on such an outing. The
crowd was going nearly 100 miles be-
low Eureka Springs and was to drive
20 miles from the little town of Gill
bert, Ark.
Botkin Is Treasurer.
Botkin became a popular treasurer
that night when he bought Pullman
tickets to Neosho. Mo. But a half hour
later, he was in bad standing when he
told Col. Rain and the newspaper man
that there would be no breakfast.
Everyone went to bed happy. Tomor-
row, they dreamed, they would sleep
in the Ozarks. Grand, wondrous
OZarks! 1t was a sweet dream, but
the Pullman porter wakened the
crowd at o'clock and showed them
off the train at town that was no.
yet awake. 1t was Neosho. Something
about the dream tended to give the
newspaper man buck ague and he
wondered if the Savages had lost a
ball game.
But Neosho was yet to become a
garden spot of the gods, IL mecca and
wandering fishing party. For eight
long, tedious hours the little party was
to ride in day coaches, breathe Gin
ders instead of mountain air and drink
CrumDine's Jurisdiction. Botkin bab-
bled like a happy child concerning
the wonders of nature and Felix, the
chef, told the nature nuts that the
thing" piles of forhidding
rocks in the jack oak section of the
Ozarks.
Still Nothing to Eat.
Once Col. Rain and the newspaper
man, this time aided and abetted by
Organ, asked about something to eat.
But Botl1in waved it aside with his
hand.
They will bring us basket lunch
at noon,. quoth the man with the par
tvs cash. 1T isn't well to eat too
much while travelling. Besides L want
to reduce some on this trip.
1t was all right for Botkin to reduce
Everyone was in favor of it. But the
even during the grazing period. Ele
saw chicken and pie printed on the
menu of n Topeka cafe.
At noon the porter brought little
cartons that looked like cracker boxes.
Those eat-them-in-your-lap lunches
cost rs cents each. But Organ and |
Rain and Felix and the reporter ate !
as though they had free transporta
ton at the Harvey house. Botkin ate |
sparingly. He was reducing
Money for Maps? No.
All the time the train was making |
strange noises and putting and squeak |
ing and whining in its effort ID get to I
Gilbert Suddenly it occurred to all !
exactly where Gilbert was located. |
The news butcher had a map. His /
price was n quarter. Did Botkin buy !
a map for the aid of his party? He /
did not His advice was to the effect !
that any information desired might he !
had by consulting him. That was Suf- !
ficient
Mutiny was brewing. Felix, and |
Felix alone had a kind word for the !
car of the expedition. Most anything !
might have happened, only the porter |
came in TO tell the customers that the |
next stop was Gilbert
DOf. DiIIardt