The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-14


her. and she had felt 1t was her duty to
leave 1t untouched. If she could consider
the two thousand dollars her own, she
would feel twice the Joy in giving a
thousand of it to Reverend Griffin for the
Tasmanian Doodags that she would feei
in having Jabez give for her. She eased
herself out of her rocker and walked
across to Jabez and kissed the top OF
his bald. pink head.
THAT'S all right, Ma he said. cling
ing to her hand for a loving moment.
only don't tell that preacher Teller l
said you could do 1t. A man sort OF
feels foolish If it's known he's lettin' his
folks give away SO much money.
1t was not until the next afternoon that
Reverend Gideon 9th, alias Solemn
Henry, has an opportunity to see Mrs.
Bunker again. He went to the Bunkers'
room and tapped on the door. and Mrs.
Bunker opened the door and asked him
to step inside. The interview was a most
satisfactory ono for Mr.. Griffin. Deep in
Mr.. Bunker's easy rocker. his finger-tips
pressed together, he allowed his talent
full swing and told Mrs. Bunker OF
scenes Of horror among the Doodags OF
Tasmania that made her blood run cold
and the warm tears fall from her kind
old eyes. She longed to take one of the
starving Doodag babes in her arms and
comfort It.
And now" said the Reverend Gildad
Griffin in conclusion. -'can you-will you
help?"
"rn be right glad to-" said Mrs.
Bunker.
THANK you Sister," cried Mr.. Grimm.
taking her hand and pressing it gently.
THE Doodags of Tasmania will bless
you. And I may tell them you will give
how much?"
Mrs. Bunker drew a deep breath, she
was almost frightened to mention the
vast sum she had decided to devote to
| the starving Doodags.
"I-I-rd like to give thousand dol
lars" she gasped-
ed hero frightened in quick Involuntary
CONFUSION. The Fake Cleric had not
hoped for anything like this. He hae
hoped Mrs. Bunker might be good 70
perhaps twenty-five dollars. whic
would pay his board at Mrs WINNER
for a couple of weeks, but-a thousand
dollars! He wet his lips three times
before he could utter the blessing that
was part of his stock-in-trade and that
he always uttered when one of his vic
tins fell into his trap He uttered +
now with unusual JUNCTION. One thou
sand dollarsi 1t was great luck. I'm
| mediateiy, however. he felt fear tina
| the news was too good to be true. Mrs
Bunker was a dear old lady. and sh,
was Just the kind of dear old lady to
| fail into such a trap as the Reverend
Mr.. Griffin had set, but only too often
had Solemn" Henry worked some OLD
dame co the point of giving literally
and then been checkmated by a closer
listed husband
IT presume. Sister," he said. "your
husband approves or this "
| Dear old Grandma Bunker turned red
\ She was such an honest old soul that
| she could not tell q fib. and yet she
| had promised Jolrez not to let Mr.. Griffin
\ know he had said she could give the
money. She smoothed the front Of hel
dress over her knees.
IT ruther you didn't say nothin' te
Jabez about IT, she said In what struck
Mr.. Griffin as q somewhat shanefaced
manner ct got my own money to give
away as like. It's in the savings bank
and I guess Jabez don't care how spend
1t. So far as you and me Is concerned
Mr.. Grimm, it's enough that I want tc
! help them poor Doodads and that I car
AFFORD to do 1t the way want to-
| 'Doodass. not Doodads, Sister Bunker