The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-14
EVENING STORY
Jerry Truesdale's Valentine.
RX RARRAR LyEE p

Plump Mrs. Augustus Truesdale
was on her knees digging industriously
into the contents of the old relic trunk
which she had drawn from the closet.
What are you doing, mother? Let
me get it," begged her daughter Con-
stance, coming into the room, you'll
hurt your lame knee"
Never mind, Connie, you just wait
a minute and give me hand when
go to get up. The least romantic thing
in the world is this rheumatic twinge
that gets my knee. There, I've found
it." And she slipped something
hastily into the folds of a newspaper
and close the trunk.
1t was q good old trunk, covered
with horse hide, the hairy side out,
and studded with brass nails. She
patted it affectionately in memory of
the children who had ridden it astride
to market so many times.
boy yet, isn't it, mother?' And she
loaned a hand to help her mother to
her feet.
YES but leave it where it is. Father
hasn't seen go-boy for long time"
And Connie knew that her mother
other for her fathers benefit.
why, there's go-boy! 1 thought
the old trunk had gone to the ashcart
years ago. What a clatter the kids
made riding it to the races" unused
Judge Truesdale later in the day as
he gazed reminiscently at it. 1T
shows the mark of Busters heels,
doesn't it? But what is the idea,
mother; going on a journey?'
Yes, just travelling bit back into
yesteryear," smiled his wife. And she
put the object of her quest into his
hands
well. we'll! And you kept that
all these years! You know that old
rI-r-t
wages when I bought it-let's see
thirty-five years ago"
TT was the prettiest and most ex-
pensive that Job Wright had in his
store beamed Mrs. Truesdale
proudly.
Yes, L thought it just the thing to
send you my heart on this blue satin
pillow-looks a bit frayed, doesn't
it? But then you haven't frayed my
heart very much-so out with it. What
are you going to strike your husband
for, this time 2"
1t is annoying to have ones deepest
dyed spots read like an open book
Now. Gus, you never let me spring
the jack-in-the-box at you, you give
one look at the outside and demand
Buster is some boy-but why
doesn't he come? What does he
WANT"
mo, not so fast; dear; he doesn't
know about this. 1 wanted to tell you
a little story and then draw a moral
for you" And she propped the blue
pillow up by her desk calendar and
pushed her husband into her easy
chair. Last week, when you were
gone and those cases were called in
the supreme court, and had to be han
died by your son, one of the justices
in speaking of his success paid him a
mighty fine compliment
Eyes, 1 know interrupted the
judge proudly. "he said that Jerry
hopelessly cramped by being in with
his father, and that he was going to
be a better lawyer even than the old
judge-was a better pleader right
now" Her husband laughed in
diligently. Now you go ahead and
that pretty tale"
Mrs. Truesdale tried to make a wry
face at him. but it would overflow
with maternal pride in spite of her
self. well, you know that you have
often remarked that it is a pity that
young men have to be overshadowed
by their fathers, and that if father
is not mighty careful he can blight
the sons prospects,
You don't think, do you, mother,
ftAat Jerome feels blighted? Do you 2"
asked the judge, solicitously.
well, no." hesitated his wife; che
has never said word. He has al
ways given you all credit for the help
you've been and for starting him
ahead in his profession. Just the
other day he was comparing his bust
| ness with that of one of the other
boys who had had no one to boost
| him.
Then what's the trouble?" urged
the judge, impatiently.
mo trouble, father, at all. But you
see, Buster is now past the place where
he needs boosting. What he needs is a
free rein and the entire responsibility
of the office"
"Oh, going to ask your husband to
mo, no. Never, No retirement for
you; just a change of occupation-a
| little rest She whirled the calen-
dar around SO he could see the date
February IA. "Give Buster valen-
| tine; make over to him the active
| practice and you get out of doors and
! look after your investments. Put him
on his mettle. Why, he'll want to be
! getting married some of these days.
We're needing grandchildren right
now, SOS We'll not be SO silly over the
dog. Please, Gus-it will add ten
years to your life, You need a little
| play-spell. You've earned it,
well, now argued the judge in
| his best judicial manner, 'ff the court
grants plaintiffs plea there will have
to be some considerations which will
have to be agreed upon, towit: Will
the imploring, pleading plaintiff agree
to get rid of her rheumatism and take
| care of herself. so that she will be
/ able to play with me? If 1 add those
ten years to my life I must stipulate
that they be the best yet
/ Connie, who couldn't resist 1istenins
to the conversation. heard a gurgle
| and her fathers voice DIeaflinp for
mercy-"You've broken up dollars
worth of cigars. mother, with that
bear hug of yours-Shall 1 write the
valentine to Buster?-
Then they both smiled They heard
him coming up the stairs two steps at
d time, whistling. He pushed the door
open. Hello. what's the fam con-
claYe? WHY. there's go-hox Come