The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-20

stained with the bloody gore Of the
pirates and nnrderers and all that sort
Of thing. It win be the greatest orna-
ment in the armory. Don't let the
guides fool you with any cheap and
bogus imitation"
This was the farewell charge Of Mr.
Hawthorne Chester Of Worcester. Mass
10 his wife. whom he was leaving be-
hind in China for an extra months tour
IN the East, while he was hurryine
home in answer to an urgent business
cableeram.
why, what a terribly bloodthirsty
individual your better half must bel"
remarked her dear friend and compan-
lon. Miss Pinkerton TO Mrs. Chester as
they took their seats on the couipany's
launch that had carried the goodbye
party" out to the departing Pacific
Mailer Just to think OF any man ask
ing his wife to bring him home a
CHASTITY thing like that! 1t reminds me
Of an Englishman that saw bidding
good bye to his wife in Egypt. and what
DO YOU suppose his last message 10 her
was7 Why, Just this; With all the
rest OF that antiquity trash, dear, don't
forget the baby mummy 1t was bad
enough to speak of all those beautiful
jewels and relics as antiquity trash
wasn't it7---men are such unapprecia-
tive creatures, anyway, you know. my
dear-but TO calmly ask her to bring
home that horrid. cadaverous bundle Of
6ried-up human flesh and bones under
the name Of the baby mummy, was
Just one TOO many for me. You'll
pardon my saying it, but Just for the
moment It made me reconciled to-
might hav. truly said thankful for--a
condition OF single blessedness. No hus-
band of mine would ever ask me twice
TO act as n freight carrier for that old
dead and disgusting stuff"
"oh. my child" replied Mrs. Chester,
with a good natured smile (she called
her friend, Miss Pinkerton. child" out
OF sort Of patronizing affection for her
and sympathy with her in her loneh-
ness), you're entirely mistaken. He's
the tenderest and gentlest creature In
the world. He wouldn't hurt a mouse
His own mother used TO say that when
he was a little boy he wouldn't pull the
wings on a ny. This is Just a little
innocent hobby of his. this collecting
terrible weapons OF all kinds to hang or
the walls Of his den in the attic which
he calls his 'armory'. He's been buy
ing them up ever since before we wer,
married He's got it Just covered with
guns and pistols and swords and knive:
and daggers, to say nothing OF Gambia
Island war-clubs and frightful thing
they beat out each others brains with
He loves to tell you that everyone o
them Is genuine"
Just what does he mean by that re
marlS?"
Wig, that every weapon there ha
killed somebody-or tried to. suppose.
How perfectly dtotul!7
And nothing disappolnts him NOR
than to have some visitor ask hin
about something that isn't In the col
lection. He just worries about 1t unit
he gets It. That's the reason he's 5
crazy about a Chinese executioI1er'
sword. You see some old tsa-mefchan
from Boston, who had lived many year
IN China, told him that would be tn
greatest thing in all the 'arInory' an(
in fact. was the only really importan
thing he lacked. You see. IL only "
could have gone up to Canton ana see
an execution and bought the actus
sword there and then; but that Iniser
able cablegram spoiled It ALL"
And so, man-lilSe, he has left IN
unpleasant duty for his wift, has he7
tut, tut, my child, you don't under
stand II isn't an unpleasant duty
all; it's Just a Joy to me to crafty tina
little hobby Of his and add little some
thing to his den. Why, I don't fe,
any different about buying him swor
than do about buying him a new pip
or a tobacco-box. My only anxiety
about its being absolutely genuine &
he says. OF course. 1 can't so up
Canton and actually see their head
chopped of myself"
"Merciful Heavensi I should hoT
not" interrupted the astonished CON
panion.
$50 I'm obliged to rely on the Cor
sul's finding me some thoroughly n
liable party who can do this for m
He thinks the Bennington will
going South next week and, IL so. Liet
tenant Ward. who is a most charnir
man and an old personal friend, Of OF
family, Z know will take day or tv
off and do this little favor for me"
We'll, we certainly do ask our FRIEND
to do strange things for US, sometime
don't we7"
Yes, especially in this part Of Il
world. Such is life in the Far East,
the saying goes. my child"
In perfect fulnllment Of Mrs. Che
ter's expectations the o. s. s. Be-
ningtton'' did sail for the South the 70
lowing week; Lieutenant Ward did g
a few days leave. he did 90 up TO Cal
ton and he arrived there Just in time
Join a party being formed at the Coz