The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-27
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY E. HOUSE
tFrom Philadelphia Public Ledger.)
Gems From McGuffy's Fifth Reader


Two gentlemen, brothers, called at
the office to take seats for the follow
ing morning in the Kilkenny coach;
there were fortunately two inside
places vacant. The elder brother was,
from his appearance, obviously sui
fering under some oppressive ailment,
and the other, in a rather delicate
state of health. Between the two there
happened to be not more cash than
was sufficient to pay for one passen-
ger; the second brother said he WouIG
bring the fare with him in the morn
ing and went away. In a short tinsc
after another person came into the
office. asked for a seat in the coach
rendered his money. insisted on the
strict rules being observed and was
booked accordingly.
The next morning, an hour before
day, the two brothers arrived. The
Invalid got in, and the other, putting
down his fare, was told that the place
was filled by one who had paid his
money, and who threatened, if refused
the place, he would hire a chaise for
the whole journey to Dublin, at the
expense of the coach proprietors The
young man looked into the coach and.
finding all seats occupied, begged, and
was strenuously supported by his
brother, to be admitted, even for
stage or two. as he was not in good
health, and the rain poured down in
The rest of the coach company
seemed to yield, but the stiff gentle
man was contrary, as will sometimes
happen, and with his former menace
silenced the agent (who4was leaning
on the side of mercy and insisted
with increased Vehemence that the
rules of the office should be observed.
The strict person was the owner of
a great flour mill; he was anything
but a jolly miller, but adhered literally
and morosely to the principle of ''car
ing for nobody" not because nobody
cared for him." but because it was
the habit of his life to make every lib
eraI thought and kind intention which
accidentally arose in his mind like
worldly charity, to begin at home and
center in himself.
He was wrapped up in his milling
operations and eyed his bags of flour
with the same avidity as a miser
would those of his gold. He was that
sort of selfish and self Sufficient per-
son that would not take any moderate
boot between the prime minister and
himself and thought the machinery of
state of little Importance compared to
that of his own mill He ordered the
coachman to get forward, with some
further menace if he did not.
The young man, after a little alter
cation, took his seat beside the guard
and the coachman drove off 1t was
voices ceased and the invalid, if gen
tile snore wR any indication, had
fallen asleep.
AS the coach was passing thru Fox
and-Geese Common a barking cur as
sailed the horses and, apparently, was
responded to by a low growl from the
interior of the vehicle. us there u
dog in the coach?'' asked the miller,
for it was yet pitch dark. Those who
were awake said they could not tell;
the INVALID breathed hard and snored.
in a few minutes the growl was heard
again, advancing to a sharper snarl.
Have you got a dog in the coach?"
asked the miller: 1T is contrary to ali
rule; the agent is at fault and shall
be fined; it shall be looked to wher
the coach stops"
A renewal snarI and few choppinG
banks from the opposite seat where
the invaAd was placed made the miller
certain that the dog belonged to him
and lay behind his legs. Not wishing.
however, to put out his hand. or even
his foot, to make the trial he waited
for daylight impatiently, and one OF
two succeeding growls from the same
quarter confirmed him in his surmisc
At length a tedious dawn gave way
to the slowly increasing light of a
gloomy morning. The miller had his
eye fixed upon the spot. and as the OBJ
he chucllled at having ocular proof OF
the nuisance which he was determined
to complain of and get rid of at the
next stage.
There lay the dog, as he conceived,
behind his masters legs. But what
was his disappointment and chagrin
when, breaking thru the clouds, a
strong CLEAN of light fell not upon
the dog of his imagination. but on
small portmanteau belonging to the
invalid, who at the sudden burst of
light which had surprised and disap-
pointed the miller opened his eyes,
keen, sharp and penetrating. but sunk
deep in a pale and ernaciated counte-
nance.
miller Have II" was the reply.
Have you dog in the coach % mo"
did you not hear any growing or
snarling in the coach?" ST did at set
ting off" From what quarter did
about strict rules" you are satiri-
cal. but we have heard a dog in the
coach and it shall not remain; you
were asleep" $50 you say" You
snored in your sleep" MAYBE So"
DO you ever grow1 or snarl or bark
in your sleep ?" 1T is not improba-
BILE; have not been very well; but
DR.. Middleton tells me I am cured"
DO you say Middleton? That's the
mad edoctor." Hes a very good doc
tor and I'll thank him the longest day
I live" The miller in some little
alarm asked in milder tone, Were
you in the house?' 81 was for three
months, and he performed a great
cure for me" May I ask" said the
now subdued miller, what was the
nature of your malady?" "Why, if
you must know" replied the invalid,
lit was neither more nor less than the
bite of a mad dog.Ss
Save u.s." said the miller, land did
the doctor effect a perfect cure?"
He did and sent me out yesterday to
return to my native air, saying that
the trifling symptom of snarling like