The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-19

cobweb out of his hair, and sat down
and quietly said:
Mrs. Bowser, let me explain the
situation, for see that you don't I'M
derstand it A bomb from a Zeppelin
will penetrate the roof of a house, and |
go through to the first floor There
it stops to explode. and to make the |
awfulest racket you ever saw. One in |
the cellar is safe, but nowhere else in
the house. Therefore, 1 propose to |
sleep down cellar
And L DON'T she replied.
Then you can get busted into so |
many fragments that it would take a
police. force a week to pick them all
up! Woman, 1 can't understand you, |
and l won't try to understand you. |
From this time on sleep down cellar.
You can sleep up here, or sit on the
front steps all night long
1t is because have a better plan
than you have, Mr.. Bowser,'' she ex-
planned, after minutes silence. 81
have. thought of this Zeppelin matter
Tor the last fortnight, and planned out
what to door what to have you do in
case Things came to a climax Your
coming home from the store the way
you did, with your hair standing up,
and your eyes bullying out was no sur
prise to me-"
Mrs. Bowser, this is no time for
insults!' he warned her.
And no one is using them" she
| answered. "a Zeppelin has been seen
lowering over the city. No one knows
what she wants, but all suspect that
she Is going to drop bombs. She may
drop one on this house, but if she does
it will be by mistake. Mr.. Bowser, you
are a well-known character. You have
won your way up the ladder Of fame.
you have never said or done anything
that Mrs. Zeppelin could take umbrage
at. don't think he would willingly
harm hair of your head
Woman, what does this talk
meant" was demanded.
Don't be impatient, Mr.. Bowser.
You are to go out on the streets and
watch with the rest of the crowds If
that Zeppelin, every one is talking of,
mas got tired of lowering she will fly
around for a change. You will see her
| fIy1ng this way and that, and dropping
those terrible bombs as she does So
BY and by as you watch with mouth
agap you will see her head in the d.
reetion of our house. She has one
bomb left and that may be for u.s.
When she comes near enough you will
hold up your hand and shout:
Ho, there, Mrs. Zeppelin, star
board your helmi You are headed for
Bowrod's house. Sheer off to the left
! old bombs on the butcher Shop
They will hear you aboard that
craft" continued Mrs. Bowser, 'and it
will swerve from it's course and when
the bomb drops it will strike plumb
on the butcher shop, and the butcher
! Will never send US any more bones.
l will help you on with your over
coat and muffle you up, and you go
| right out and be ready for the crisis
woman, am tempted to say that
you ought to be blown up" said Mr.
Bowser, as he walked to and fro
you would be sarcastic with your
foot on the edge of your grave AS 1
cannot convince you of this great per-
il, 1 shall leave you to suffer for your
obstinacy. 1 did intend to pass the
night in the cellar, but I have changed
my mind. l do not want to be awak-
ened by your screams and shrieks as a
bomb strikes the roof. 1 shall there
fore pass the night in some other
place, and come around early in the
morning to view the awful wreck"
IF 1 am alive your breakfast will
be ready at the usual hour" remarked
Mrs. Bowser as he rose up. "If
have been blown into a thousand frag-
| ments, you will have to get your
breakfast somewhere else. They say
that new place two blocks down is go
ing to be success. Its speciality is
fried pork sausages, and you know
how dearly you love themi'
Mr.. Bowser glared at her-just
glared.
Il wish you would take the cat with
you,' Mrs. Bowser pleaded. you
know he has been one of the family
for eight long years, and he does not
want to be blown to atoms any more
than you do. He loves you dearly, and
he looks to you for protection in this
emergency"
Mr.. Bowser walked three steps to-
ward the hall tree, and then over his
shoulder gave her another glare.
And you have some of your
speeches in manuscript. They should
not be lost to future generations. Hold
on minute and 1 will get them for
you"
But Mr.. Bowser did not hold on. II
put on his hat off and overcoat an
muffler and passed out, and if he ut
tered any swear words as he did 81
Mrs. Bowser did not hear them.
1t was a cold evening and til
streets were deserted. Mr.. Bowsei
walked about until his ears We're re
as paint, and his nose was as cold
chunk of ice and then returned to
the house.
| you will need two quilts and pill
low down there" quietly observed
: Mrs Bowser, and you had better pro
vide yourself with a rope to tie or
: something in place of that missing leg
. You will sleep in peace in spite O
3 the rats and spiders and cockroachcs
} Good night. Mr.. BOwseri'
! But Mr.. Bowser warmed himself
read his evening paper and smoke,
: his usual cigar, anG When the tirat
came he headed for his usual bed, anC
/ though the Zeppelin continued to
hover and hover. he was soon snoring
/ as though one did not exist.-(Copy-
5 right, 1915, by Mcclure Newspaper
] Syndicate.)