The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-26
EVENING STORY
The Shrimp.
BY R. RAY BAKER

Has that shrimp been here again
today"
Jack Williams. with a height of 6
feet 2, a circumference of SO and a
countenance usually genial but just
now decidedly the reverse, stood at the
door of the living room and glared at
his sister.
Josephine. the sister, looked up with
book in one hand and a chocolate in
the other, and gave expression to a
smile SO sweet it would have melted
an iceberg. But the brother was not
an iceberg. and he refused to dissi-
pate the frown that marred his other
wise attractive face.
IF you mean Mr.. Angell-yes, he
has been here" was Josephine's rather
pert reply as she offered her brother
a chocolate But please to remember
that Mr.. Angel is my fianee and as
such he should be treated with re-
spect''
Jack thrust the candy into his
mouth in much the same manner as
old-time gunners ramming charges
into old-style cannon.
He won't be your fiance if I ever
get crack at him. he growled
There's no use talking. Josephine, you
1 repeat it! The fellow who gets my
sister must be strong man, not a
lounge lizard who can't do any more
than sip sodas and chew candy. My
brother-in-law must be able to protect
his wife against the blows of the
heartless world This fiance business
has got to stop. that's ALL
With which Mr.. Jack Williams left
his sister and mounted the stairs to
his own room.
AS the self-appointed guardian of
Josephine, Jack felt he was suffering
personal affront in the attentions be-
ing showered on her by the diminu-
tive Mr.. Angel. Ever since the affair
began, about six months ago, Jack had
tried TO meet up with 1.-The shrimp"
but so far he had not succeeded.
This situation was due to the fact
that the two young men lived in diff
ferent cities. The Williams home was
in Thompsonville, while Jack held a
position in Steel City. fifteen miles
south, and Mr.. Angel was in business
in Seymour, about the same distance
north of Thompsonville.
Every Sunday Jack came home to
visit his father and sister, and the
same day always saw the shrimp" a
visitor at the Williams residence; but
Josephine's guardian" could never
make connections to be there at the
same time as his sisters wooer, be-
cause the only Sunday train from Steel
City arrived just fifteen minutes after
the only Sunday train for Seymour
had left -r
Mr.. williams, ST., declined to take
a hand when his son approached him
with the matter of Mr.. Angeles court
ship. Leave it to Josephine" he adj
vised. She can take care of herself.
It's up to her to be her own judge of
whom she wants to marry. Anyhow,
the more you try to lower this young
man in her estimation the stronger
she'll be for him.
- but Jack was resourceful, and he
managed to bride the neighbor- boy to
keep him posted on the coraings and
Miss Josephine's affections, and who,
if appearances went for anything, had
been successful in his efforts.
A full-length camera picture IN an
album gave Jack an idea of his pros
pective brother-in-law's appearance,
but Josephine refused to enlighten
him as to the business in which her
fiance was engaged. He could have
obtained the information by some
means, no doubt, but he hesitated to
appear in the light of a neddler out
si6e his, own home.
But before l let my sister marry a
weazel-faced, puny pigmy, I'll go over
there and slay him in cold blood" was
Jacks oft-repeated threat. He really
did not intend being meddlesome, but
he had his sisters interests at heart
and felt bound to look out for her
Now it's time to act," young Mr..
williams told himself, as he washed
up from the train trip. following the
dialogue that opened this tale. I'm
going after the shrimp this week sure,
if 1 can possibly get away from the
job long enough"
In the meantime, the shrimp was
draped between two seats in a parlor
car. watching passing scenery with
ono eye and n page of a magazine with
the other. Certainly he was not very
preposse-sing to look at. if one were
in search of muscular splendor.
His face was handsome in way,
but he looked too small and frail to
withstand the battering blows dealt
out in the world.
Arriving at Seymour he had din
ner and then escorted his mother to
church From the wav he evinced
interest in the words from the pulpit
it could be seen that this visit to the
house of worship was not merely a
matter Of duty. He was enjoying
himself in the way a person is sUp-
posed to enjoy himself in such an edi-
fee.
Monday morning the shrimp shaved,
consumed a rather meager breakfast
and went down to his office about 8
o'clock After opening the mail he
went into a back room, where he par
took of some physical exercise, using
various gymnasium appliar Ces. The
shrimp certainly was not neglecting
his physical wsil-being.
During the day Mr.. Angel had fire.
quent callers, most of whom he es-
corted to the back room, instructing
the office girl to permit no one to dis
turb him. This was his daily routine,
Observation-Disclosures