The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-22

| Made a wreck out OF me.
And there never was a wreck
1 Like the wreck she made of
meee-e-e"
The voice that gave utterance to
this thrilling sentiment was deep
| the voice came looked about as
much like a wreck as a dreadnought
just off the ways. He was somewhat
over feet in height, had a Jack
| Dempsey chest. a tanned face, blue
| eyes and engaging smile.
His name was Howard FolwelI.
He was singing as he strobe back
| and forth in the basement of the
Riverside Country club waiting for
his companions to array themselves
in golf attire and sally forth with him
I to whang the ball around the course
| for an hour or two.
| But tho he sang and tho he seemed
carefres and happy, there really was
a cloud on Folwell's life.
The cloud was the fact that Bea-
trice Jackson, holder of the women's
championship at the Riverside club,
scorned his advances and smiled
sweetly upon Lem Wheeling, rival of
Folwen in love, in business and in
golf.
Just the evening before Beatrice
had told Folwell in no uncertain
terms that she never never, never
could care for man who sliced his
drives and was a dub with putter.
Which was pretty hard on Folwell,
since he was all that and little bit
more.
So it wasn't surprising that Fol-
well, in singing about the girl who
had made a wreck of his career, put
, a depth of feeling into the ditty that
called for groans and yelps from the
assembled listeners.
Say old top" exclaimed one of
Folwelrs friends, eff you put as much
time and effort into trying to cut out
your slice on your drive you'd be a
whirlwind."
LAS a singer you're a wonderful
golf player and as golfist you're
q knockout as a singer!' exclaimed
another of the men.
Whereupon Folwell turned toward
the lockers with the intention of
full maulings of his two-ton paw, when
thru a window in the basement he
saw Beatrice pass by with hated Lem
Wheeling close beside her.
At this sight wrath rose in Folwell's
heart. He saw red. He had an in
tense desire to seize Lem by the neck
of his fancy silk shirt and rend him
asunder. And with this feeling gov
erning his actions, Folwell hurried
from the basement out into the hot
sun.
By this time Beatrice and Lem were
at the first tee prepared to drive off
Beatrice, turning back toward the
clubhouse, saw Folwell scowling at
her.
Hello, Hod," she cried. watch
this!'
Gracefully, efficiently, Beatrice ad-
dressed the ball and then socked it
down the course for a good 200 yards.
Folweu watched her sulIen1y. 1t
had been many a long day since he
had made a 2O0-yard drive.
Now if I could OnlV do as well g
that, or better" sighed .Folwell to
himself, ''thered be nothing to it
she'd be mine before the weeks over.
But It can't be done-a dub like me
thing would happen, dawgone it!''
Perhaps FolwelPs wish was re-
sponsible for it-who knows but at
any rate something did happen just
moment or so later, something
which had a deep and lasting effect
AS FolwelI stood gazing discon-
solately after Beatrice and Lem, he
became conscious of tho fact that his
favorite caddy was standing close to
him, watching him with keep eyes
Contrary to the usual situation this
caddy idoIized Folwell in spite Of the
latter's poor playing. Always the
caddy prophesied brilliant future for
Folweli at the ancient game of golf,
provided only he could get the proper
amount of confidence in his own
ability.
Now the caddy came close and
whispered to Folwell mysteriously.
Say, you can beat out that guy
got the dope. My brothers an in
ventor, see? He's invented a vac
as air. It'll go mile If you hit it an
easy swat. You use this ball. Show
up this Wheeling guy. Win the dame.
HUH" gasped Folwell, in great
establishment.
claimed the caddy. ''f'll tee it up for
you. Then you hit it-just nice an
easy. Don't strain. Just watch it go.
Nothing can stop it,
The caddy's excitement and enthusi-
asm communicated themselves to Fol-
well. In intense hopefulness he watch
ed the caddy tee the ball. Then he
gripped his club loosely as the caddy
Strengthened up. He heard the caddy
yell Fore and saw Beatrice and Lem
about ESQ yards ahead of him turn and
look and then laugh, as tho amused at
the mere thought that he might drive
that far.
The caddy's confidence, the Ecorn of
Beatrice and Lem, nerYed Folwell to
a great effort.
While Beatrice and Lem were still
watching him, Folwel1 drew back and
swung at the ball-nice and easy with
out any real effort.
Up into the sky the ball rose grace
fully, unerringly. Straight down the
course 1t flew, over the heads of the
astonished couple watching him, and
landed plump in the fairway a mere
trifle of fifteen or twenty yards from
the hole. A fair drive-325 yards at
least.
You see?" cried the eaddy. "My
brother was right-he said you could
sion III
show 'em up today!"
Folwell's heart swelled with pride,
enthusiasm and confidence. He was
quite masterful as he walked by
Beatrice and Lem, who viewed him
with something like awe.
THAT was some drive!" exclaimed
Beatrice as he passed.
watch my next one!" exclaimed
Folwell, in return.
The first hole Folwel made in three
! q I. l.. L.-- l. -.