The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-18

door, it began te dawn on him through
his daze. that wooing Maggie Walton
and promoting prize fights did not har-
monizea
with a ring in his pocket he had
called that afternoon with an cratic
ally humping heart. He had been
greeted coolly, however. and Maggie
had seated herself on the davenport
and glared at him reproachfuly ana
said accusingly
Jim. this is the end of things. 1
can't stand it any longer"
He took the newspaper which she
held up and his eyes met the head
line:
KALOOZO'S CONCERT
IS CALLED OFF
Advance Sale of Tickets So Light Man.
ayers Couldn't Make Expenses.
yes. it's the end of things" Maggie
continued, while tears weHed in her
ewes. Since you came to town year
ago and started the fighting business
Cattolane hasn't stood for respectable
entertainment. We used to have
real musical artist once in while,
but your fights have cultivated the
city's brutal tastes. This is the second
attempt 10 get a grand opera celebrity
here, and it's the second failure, since
Cattolane developed a thirst for blood.
Jim, I've tried to put up with 1t,
because 1 cared lot for you, but L
love music and loathe fighting. So
there's no use of our continuing--
Jim made the fatal mistake of at
tempting reconciliation with his bank
book
But look. Maggie" he implored.
displaying the evidence of his pros
perity. "See the big wad I've laid
away as a result of the fights. Why,
we could get married tomorrow. Let's
do it. See, I've brought the ring"
Flame flared in Maggie's black eyes
With majesty and grandeur she rose
to her feet.
trim hats the rest of my life than
marry the richest man in the world,
unless he gained his wealth by some
decent method"
But. Maggie he protested, hold
ing the handbook before her.
Don't Maggie mel" she cried, push
ing him into the hall and out on the
steps. DO something worth while be-
fore you ask me to weaE a ring
Having surveyed the panels of the
green door to his satisfaction, Jim
shrugged his shoulders and made his
way slowly to the home of the Daily
Banner" He had practically conf
pleted negotiations for an eXhibitionlby
the worlds champion heavyweight,
and it was the correct thing to con-
suit the Banner, sporting editor.
Jim walked dejectedly up the stairs
to the editorial room. The sporting
editor was busy, so Jim waited, and
looked abStractedly out a window. He
saw a young couple pass, arm-in- arm.
chatting blithesomely, and in a vacant
lot two newsboys were battering each
other while an admiring throng urged
them on. Jim felt sick,
The sporting editor finished his
work, approached him. rubbing his
Nhands and grinning. and asked for a
cigarette.
We'll, do we get the big bout?" he
inquired affably, obtaining a match
from the same source.
Jim turned from the window with a
vacant stare.
Say. BILL" he asked thoughtfully,
who is the worlds champion singer ?"
1t was about three months later that
a debonair young man, who appeared
to have dressed with a fashion plate
for a mirror. assembled the brown
stone steps and pressed the button b..
side the green door with white panels
Maggie ushered him in. She looked
exquisite, in an evening dress she had
made herself for this particular even
ing, and which on the morrow would
be ripped ruthlessly in the process of
transformation into a more seryiceable
everyday garment.
BE seated, Mr.. Langford." she told
the young man, who deigned to deposit
himself on the davenport You can't
realize how 1 appreciate your invita-
ton. L could conceive of no create
treat than to be present at a concert
by Tezenatta. To think she should ap-
pear in Cattolane: Why, she's one of
the worlds greatest vocal artists. If not
the greatest. Music lovers should ex-
tend a vote of thanks to Professor
Labello. who is backing the enterprise.
The brute population had its oppor-
tunity two months ago, when the
heavyweight champion was here; and
now We have a chance"
Mr.. Langford shifted his position on
the davenport. He had been one of
the brutes who witnessed the. cham
pion's exhibition and had been one of
the loudest to applaud. Mr.. Lang
ford's soul devoted only a small, re-
mote corner to the ethereal, and he
looked forward to TezeEatta's concert
with little enthusiasm. His only OBJ
ject in inviting Maggie to the concert
was desire to be with her: for she
had long been the object of his adj
miration.
The music lovers were appreciative,
especially the first five rows of the
orchestra section, where tickets were
Sc each. The armory was filled, and
this was a source of qualification to
Maggie. who remarked:
NOW Odttolane can be proud OF
herself. The audience that saw the
pugilist couldn't have been larger.
Professor Labello has resurrected
Catolane's soul. Art has triumphed
over brute"
Mr.. Langford swallowed a yawn in
the blooming stage
After the concert Jim Hennessey sat
in his bare room and smoked a pipe
while he figured the pages of a pocket
notebook that served as ledger.
Yes, the heavyweight champ netted
a nee sum- he unused; nearly three
thousand net profit"
shrill female voice at the foot of
the stairs interrupted his calculations.
Mr.. Hennessey, there's a loidy on
the phone"
He went downstairs. but returned
presently and adjusted his tie and
wiped his shoes and creased his hat
carefully. He left the house and
walked several blocks before turning