The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-07
ALL GREAT men
Bruno Leasing Learns Much of
Hughes, Root and L. r.
All Are Heroic, Modest and
Free-Hearted Fellows.
FIRE STORIES OF THREE
Hughes Once Saved Old Woman
From Burning Building.
Roosevelt Rescued Dog; Root
Saved Big Money Safe.
(BY BRUNO LEsSING.)

Chicago, ILL.,, June Tt rained all
day Tuesday-one of those steady
down-pours that fills the soul of man
with gloom and sadness. Most of the
delegates to the convention wished
they were home. With the exception
or the ultimatums, statements, final
decisions and rumors that kept COM
ing from Oyster Bay where the sun al
ways shines, nothing important hap
pened. Nobody cared much about
anything. If the convention had con-
vened and Teddy had dropped in he
could have had the nomination for
the asking. Everyone felt drowsy and
listless. 1t was grand day for
game of poker.
I took peep into the convention
hall. Carpenters were hammering
away at the seats, and decorators were
covering every available spot with
bunting. l haven't got a ticket yet
and probably won't get one but. know
ing how the interior looks / guess I'll
be able to describe the fervid scenes
and the hot air without leaving the
stuffy room in which I'm living
woke up an elderly man in charge
of the Hughes headquarters.
Tell me- said 1, something about
your candidate"
About Hughes.
"Sir,'' said he, "our favorite candi-
date is truly a remarkable man. If
you know him 1 know him you
would stick to him to the bitter end"
He told me many anecdotes that
throw light upon the candidates ma
ture. 1t seems that he is an impul-
sive, warm-hearted, happy-go-lucky
SOUL something like D'Artagnan of the
Three MusketeIrs.'' only more reck-
less. One night recently he was play
ing pinochle with some German
friends Luck was with him and he
won about 1900 marks or $4,000.
The players suddenly smelled smoke
and upon going to the window discov-
cred there was a fire on the floor be-
low. Without moments hesitation
the candidate pocketed his winnings,
climbed down the fire escape and
burst into the apartment below. He
found a helpless frightened old lady
crying for assistance He seized her
IN his arms and carried her down the
fire escape. And, when he had de-
posted her in place of safety, ne
gave her all his winnings
At t. r. Headquarters.
The man told the story splendidly
and L was greatly impressed. cnar-
acter such as he had described was
certainly a man to be trusted. l next
went to the Roosevelt headquarters.
These were quite deserted as most of
the people supposed to be headquar-
tering there were busy at telephones
young man, however, 1 found-an
honest looking, pink-faced chap with
manly bearing and fine, frank eyes.
"Our candidate?" said he, "has been
who have been close to him who know
the sturdy spirit that is hidden under
his modest, ascetic exterior. Why.
sir, let me tell you something he did
once. He was taking violin lessons
from a German teacher who lived on
the top floor of an apartment house.
Suddenly he smelled smoke and, upon
looking out of the window, he OBJ
served flames bursting from the win
dow below. Without an instant's
hesitation. he dropped his $4,000
Stradivarius, leaped to the fire escape
below and burst into the apartment.
And what do you think he beheld?"
"A helpless old 1ady?'' 1 ventured.
mo, sir. A little dog And, with
out moments hesitation, he carried
the dog down into the street, took it
home. fed it and brought it up and
today you couldn't get him to part
: with that dog for a million dollars
To Roots Hangout.
1 admit that 1 was considerably inn
pressed with this story. I'm very fond
of dogs myself and I'd rather vote for
than L would for any statesman.
next went to the Root headquarters
Ere 1 opened the door I heard the
sound of boistrous laughter within
Upon entering l was surprise to find a
very old man sitting looking at the
ceiling and laughing.
Pardon me, but do 1 disturb you p"
I asked.
Not in the least" he replied cour-
teously. Come in and sit down
Things are a little slow today and L
was just laughing to kill time
I asked him about his favorite can
didate and he Immediately became
grave.
Our man" said he. lis the great