The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-17
SPEAKING OF MOSQUITOES
By ''PICK" Smith.

A recent newspaper story about
clouds of mosquitoes causing two fire
alarms in Chicago, reminds me:
Toward evening, one day in late
train stopped at Market Lake, Idaho.
five Topekans, w. o. Anderson, Jesse
Elliott, Charley Patrick, Doc" Good
win and myself, luggage in hand.
were all ready to hop off
AS the train stopped, Billy" An
derson looking out of a window and
for trouble, as usual-rOared: "They'r
holding this train up, fellerS! See EN-
with masks on Hide your money!"
When we started out, we found it
was a "hold-up," all RIGHTLY mos
quitoes. not men: and "Billy.s'
masks were nets over most of the
natives heads. And when the hungry
millions of the little winged devils
got onto the fact that there was lot
of new "meat'-and blood ill town,
up into five separate and distinct
armies and, without orders from any
body, got down to business 1 never
have been quite able to recall Just
how we got across the street to the
building with a Hotel sign, nor how
fast we went nor what we said on the
way The last man in slammed the
door. but if any mosquitoes were kept
out they weren't missed.
When we mentioned the MOSQUITO
crop. Mine Host, a big. good natured
Swede, chuckled: " 'Skeeters'? TIL
bane mos gone now. Auto bane here
two week gol Wow! Thick then 9.
dam thick!" And as he smashed
about half a dozen on the back of his
right hand, 1 asked whore they sold
dry-goods near the hotel Then fol-
lowed: "Whatja want" Sketter-
net no good go right thru ::
How many nets y'want?" My gal
make v'five for dollar" We all had
CHI "
a roonay cheesecloth net pulled on
over it and buttoned loosely under his
coat Then. with heavy buck gaunt-
lets on our hands, we exultingly told
the skeeters to go hang.
While figuratively. patttng ourselves
on our backs for putting one over on
the mosquitoes. the door suddenly
opened PARKWAY admitting man,
then closed with a bang! We all
turned to look and the rest of US
thot Jesse had had about one or two
too many when he exclaimed: Hello,
kid! How'n thunder did y get here r.
"Oh," grinned the young chap, Il
hired out L work on a railroad up In
Oregon, an left Topeka that night to
go there; and when the train stopped
here yesterday 1 got off to view the
scenery, an when m back was turned
tn dod- gasted train went off and left
mel d. get tn job? ?" Yep" said
Jess. "Feuers, this guy is Guy our
cook"
Jess said that a couple of days be-
fore we started Guy. who admitted he
was an "all-fired good camp-cook,
hit him for the job, and to get rid OF
him he told him that if he showed up
at Market Lake, way out in Idaho"
at the proper time he could have the
Job; and that nobody could be as
much surprised as he was to see him.
He then ordered net for Guy. who
was profanely grateful
Ever eat-or drink-with your head
tied up in a sack ?" Some stunt!
After supper. advised by the land
lord, we started to round up one 'Bill'
williams for our guide. in some
saloon" At the second place we
asked the barkeep asked back what
we wanted him for, and when we told
him, another chap volunteered. Bill
bane by Yim's place. roun' mex cor
ner,' pointing.
We found Bill at ''Yim's place." in
an atmosphere so larded with to-
bacco smoke as to numb and make
seasick and (and various and sundry
Eft Ceteras) weary any mosquito I'M
wise enough TO trespass upon the fes-
tivities. We soon removed and pock-
eted our armor. replacing it only when
starting for the hotel at torbly late
bedtime.
Before we left Bill that night, he
had agreed to be at the hotel with
his outfit.-then scattered as he ex-
pressed it, from hell to breakfast