The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-20
a theater that doomed up on Chanute's
main street and attracted the atten-


theater that doomed up on Chanute's
main street and attracted the atten-
ton of Magnate Crawford.
One day a farmer living near Cha
mute who had become suddenly rich
in oil went to town to attend a show
in the old opera house. There was
a miXup in the seating and the farm
err couldn't find a comfortable place
to view the show.
by crackey, I'll see who keeps me
from seeing these here shows" he
growled to the manager.
In a few weeks excavation had
started for a magnificent theater on
a prominent corner in Chanute. With
his oil money the farmer built and
dedicated to himself this play house.
He always had a seat just where he
wanted it.
But the farmer spent his money
with as much magic as he fell heir to
it. He is back at work on the farm
now, doing his daily chores.
The theater is still the pride of the
town.
All youth. forever dear, forever
kind, said Homer.
In his Had. Homer should have
added, forever truthful
You can't fool the boy-especlaiiy
ir regard to his favorite sport-fish-
ing.
The first evening after we reached
Erie If was decided that two hours OF
daylight and dusk could be utlilzeo III
capturing a preliminary string or
saw. twenty or thirty bass NOW, Win
all his enthusiasm. II IS auilli'ssu &c. -,
friend, Harry Martin, preferred to go
70 country dance. But they own
died before the majority and an eight
mile trip was taken to an erstwnlle
famous Neosho county nShlhs resoi''
piloted by Don Wells
TTnon reaching the pool wherein the
bass were supposed to be lying in wait
with yawning jaws. the party was
taken in tow by a farmer and his small
SON The farmer, an affable ana cour-
teous gentleman of means ana alIalIa-
set down his two big buckets of milk
and led the crowd to the creek, half
mile away His small boy tagged US.
Roy Crawford and l decided to MAKE
a friend of this silent but evidently
wise youth of the soil.
Two sticks of gum made him talk
ative-and confidential.
what about fishing down here 2"
asked him as I tucked my thumb
under his overall suspenders.
He shook his head and grinned
i'They amt no fish down there" he
said
felt at the time he was right-a
bow is always right. But blinded by
the appearance of the clear, high,
banked creek joined the party in I'M
wrapping poles, adjusting reels and
fastening f1oaters, sinkers and hooks.
Until a gentle rain dampened US and
darkness settled down upon our hope
full party, we cast and reeled and bait
ed along the bank of that creek.
The boy was right!
The mayor. in all his theatrical wis
dom, clings to the legitimate stage.
His clearly defined idea of a low-brow
is a person who is afflicted with the
movies.
Saturday night at about midnight,
just after one of the village BARRIERS
p1 oudly prepared Jays face for the
coming days slaughter. the crowd
dropped in at little restaurant near
the hotel.
We straddled the tall stools sur
rounding the board counter and gave
our switch-shanty pie and coffee or
ders Our theatrical critic ordered
cream pie. 1t reminded Bill Wikidal
of a recent Fatty Arbuckle comedy
he had seen in Topeka
pie make an ideal missile to place in
Fatty Arbuckle's fist"
The waiter. one of the town lads
who undoubtedly allows his rascal
ways to get the better of him occa-
sionally and seeks diversion in Kay
See, grasped the point. He had the
plate Of cream pie in his right hand
and a cup of coffee in the other. Bal
arcing them in true Charlie Chaplin
style he leaned over to the mayor
movie-maligner and shook in an ex-
plosion o. glee.
"Oh, boy he shouted. ct never
will forget Fatty Arbuckle in a pic
ture 1 seen him in in K. c. Wowiei
Say, Mr.. House, did you ever see it :?
Fatty, you know, was a barber in a
hotel. He took some hot towels that
he got in the hotel kitchen and slap
ped them on the face of a guy there
in the chair. BY gosh, it was great
And then he went out to scrub the
hotel floor and
His cap yanked over ore ear, his
| sweater cooked out from under his
| coat and with disgust in every move,
| the mayor of Topeka slid from his