The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-05

enough money in this company to amount
to a row OF pins. You've got barely
enough stock to let you qualify as d.
rector. You arc only here because of
your church connections. You bring US
a lot Of church-member business. On our
board you stand-if I may say so-for
sanctity and all that sort of thing. need
not say. Prellick. that this Druse affair
Is mighty serious matter-for you! You
draw q nice fat salary here, and II your
reputation goes black. out you go! You'll
not be worth ten cents year to us
You've got to win that suit!'
Yes. sir" said Mr.. Prellick meekly.
| And ii there arc any more of these
| ladies'" said the president, you'd better
buy them on before they start airing
their troubles in the newspapers. II there
are any others you've been trying to kiss
by force. buy 'em OF! Shut 'em I'D with
money!"
but" Mr.. Pre11ick interrupted
"Oh! I known said the president i'm
patiently. There aren't any others!
But If there are. you take my advice and
buy 'em OF. Two thousand dollars is
nothing to you. II you can keep one of
| those women from talking to the news
| town-they all read the newspapers. You
let one or two more women begin shout
ing about you to the reporters. and your
jury will say. when they get the case:
"oh. yes' we know Prellick-say old
thypocrite, going around kissing every
dame in town! Soak the old rascal!
Give the lady fdamages!' And. Prel-
| lick
'fYes7' said Mr.. Prellick family. -
1T another of these stories gets Into
+ n Aov,sf nm
| wait for the trial before ask for your
| resignation!''
''There'l DO no more" said Mr.. Prel-
lick:
There had better not BE-" said the
| president "That's ALL"
It was in the state of mind naturally
following such an interview that the
| luckless Mr.. Prellick entered his office
and saw Mr.. Bunker's card on his desk.
With the leapfng of the heart that comes
with the realisation that all the world is
not against one. Mr. Prellick babe the Of
| f1ce-boy to admit Mr.. Bunker. He stood
| with hand extended as the plump little
ex-farr1er from Oroduna entered, and he
ciasked the hand Mr.. Bunker gave him.
Bunker" he exclaimed, this Is kind:
this is really kind.'
Me and Ma felt as how maybe you'd
be glad to see some of us folks" said
Mr.. Bunker. II thought maybe ia sort
Of drop down here and let you know we
that there Is any truth In what Miss
Druse says"
There's not!' exclaimed Mr.. Prell,ck.
Mr.. Bunker. I give you my word there
ls not an iota Of truth in it,"
I know there amt" said Mr.. Bunker.
I don't believe WORD she says about
you-only. Prellick. want to give you
bit of advice
"Yes?" said Mr.. PrelIick nervousIv
IF you've been kfssfn' anybody else
that way. buy 'em orr said Mr.. Bunker
Bunker" said Mr.. PrelIick earnestly.
give you my word I have never kissed
any woman
20 course mott" declared Mr.. Bunke-
You don't need to say SO: I know yo,,
didn't But just the same, IL you han
pen to have been kissin' any females
young or old, you buy 'em OF Paw zen,
to keep their mouths Shut
I tell you. never did"
Il knowi I know," said Mr. Rr,t.x
soothinsly. And to my notion it.s rort,
thousand dollars to keep a thing like
that hushed up Just now. A thousand
amt much. when a mans got a Job like
you've got here. Keep your name ont
Of the paper!s That's the idee! If"
But I never"
"Well you might, mightn't your asked
Mr.. Bunker. beaming on Mr. PreIlick.
II know might well you amt goin' to
60 and kiss anybody whilst this suit is
goin' on. You wouldn't be that foolish.
But look out! Look outi And if-weu,
thousand dollars amt too muchr'
Bunker" said Mr.. Prellick tensely,