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THE SUICIDE OF BACHELOR JONES
PART I.
Bachelor Jones passed up to his room with a quick, troubled, step. Aunt Jose had hurried to the dining room door when she saw him coming to ask how the election had gone. But she didn't speak to him. His face, which had been an open book to her for many years, said "defeated."
"I feared them rascals would cheat Bache out," muttered Aunt Jose, turning back to her cooking, "and jist think, that soundrily Jim Raid will be County Treasurer. I bet they'll be sorry they didn't put Bache in before the two years is out."
"Jim Raid been elected?" asked Mary, entering just in time to catch the last of Aunt Iose's siliquy.
"Of course he has, Bache wouldn't pass by me without speaking if Jim Raid hadn't been elected."
"I bet they cheated and counted votes for Jim Raid that ought to have been counted for Bache."
"Of course they did. Did anybody ever hear of them Republicans doing anything honest? They've robbed Bache of the office and they'll steal every cent of the county's money before the two years is out." Aunt Jose stirred the fire so viciously that coals went smoking all about the room, and the two women scrambled about for several seconds, collecting them.
Andrew Jones, called Bachelor because he cared little for the girls and because he lived in a secluded corner of the county with only his Aunt Jose, and her daughter Mary, always entered into an undertaking with his whole heart, and he was usually successful.
He had entered into the race for the office "of county Treasurer with his whole heart. He was determined to win. His mind was so full of thoughts of success that there was no room for a thought of failure; and when failure did come it came with a crushing force. Aunt Jose had objected to Bache's nomination, "for," she said, "them rascally republicans is sure to get the office some way, and if Bache's beat he'll take it awfully hard." But the fact that the county had gone heavily Republican at the two preceding elections did not deter Bache from accepting the Democratic nomination, nor did it cause him to doubt that he would be elected.
The campaign progressed the contest increased in excitement and each candidate became more and more confident that he was the man whom the people favored and that he was the only man who could and would serve the people faithfully and honestly.
One of the contestants would be greatly surprised and disappointed on election day, that was evident Bachelor Jones said it would be Jim Raid; Jim Raid said it would be Bachelor Jones.
Bachelor Jones rode into East Lynn, the county seat, on election day and arranged for a "grand victory banquet" to which all the Democrats, great and small, for miles, around should be invited. It was to be given two days after the election. Invitations were printed and many of them were addressed and ready to mail before the voting was done.
The polls all closed at 6 o'clock and soon the returns from the city wards began to come in. The first report was favorable to the Democrats and the Jones braves howled; the next was favorable to the Republicans, and the Raiders howled. But when all the wards had been heard from a tremendous and prolonged whoop went up from the Jones camp—East Lynn had gone Democratic. The Republicans were crest fallen. Nothing of the kind had been expected. The city had always before gone Republican; not by a very large majority, it is true, but the vote had varied but little from year to year. Raid had felt sure of success in the city and had devoted most of his time to electioning in the country; and Jones, conident of the support of the farmers, had done his hardest campaign work in East Lynn.
No reports were received from the distant country districts that night, there being no railroads or telephones, and only one telegraph line in the country. The townships immediately around East Lynn were divided—some had gone republican and some democratic, but neither side had a remarkable majority any where.
The returns came in slowly next morning but they all showed Republican gains. Before neon the vote was a tie and Bachelor Jones, dumbfounded that the Republicans should have carried any country districts at all, sent word to the printer not to mail any more banquet invitations.
Before night the Republican ticket was several hundred in the lead. The Raiders marched up and down the streets blowing horns, beating drums and yelling themselves hoarse. The Jones camp was small and silent.
Bachelor Jones remained in East Lynn another night, hoping that by some miracle the tide would be turned by the few townships yet to be heard from. But when the morning came it brought greater
sorrows. The first report was from Jones' home township, at the farthest corner of the county. It had gone republican. This was too much for Bachelor Jones. He ordered his horse and left the city. As he penetrated the muddy solitude of the country his wounded pride became more painful, and when he reached home he put up his horse and went to his room a dejected and sorrowful man.
Aunt Jude prepared a dinner fit to melt the heart of any man, but Bache could be induced to eat only a bowl of soup. She did not speak of the election to him; she had been his housekeeper for ten years. She took great pride in Bache and she knew every weak and every strong point of his nature. His greatest weakness was grieving over reverses. Aunt Jose argued that he ought to get a wife to console him when fortune frowned. He had money and health and was good looking—he surely ought to marry, but Bache was always too busy to bother about the girls, and, then, he had an idea that girls were more trouble than they were worth any way. Yes, he really did like the girls, he would admit if forced into a corner, but he just simply didn't have time to fool with them.
"I'do wish, Bache wouldn't take things so to heart," said Aunt Jose when Mary came down with notice that Bache didn't want any supper. "Here Mary" continued Aunt Jose from "the recesses of the pantry, 'here's a bottle of old wine that I've been saving a long time, you take it up to Bache and leave it and tell him to drink it."
Mary did an directed and returned to the kitchen.
Next morning Aunt Jose prepared just the kind of breakfast that Bache liked best but when Mary rapped at his door no one answered.
"That's queer," said Aunt Jose. "He always gets up so early, too. But we'll wait awhile. May he be want's to sleep. Poor boy! he must be tired after all his excitement and worry."
An hour later Mary called at his door again, but still received no answer. The door was locked, so he must be in the room. He sometimes went out for an early morning walk about the farm, but he never left his door locked.
The two women were holding a kitchen council as to what to do next, when Dick, the hired man, passing through the yard, remarked that a side window was "wide open." It was a very cool spring morning, too cool to have a window up.
It was Bache's window that was open. But when the three explorers put their heads in, no Bache was to be seen. Bache was gone.
"Thank God," said Aunt Jude who had begun to be nervous, "I know now that Bache ain't dead or sick. He's only out walking. Poor boy."
"What's this, ma," said Mary, who had crawled in through the low window. "Here's a letter addressed to you."
"Oh, hush-up, girl, Bache wouldn t write no letter to me."
"Well, herejit is, ma see? 'Aunt Jose. That's you."
"I bet it's some mistake or joke. But I'll open it and see. Why, it ain't sealed." Uffolding the note she read:
"Dear Aunt·Jose:
ful friend—almost a mother — to me.
shrunk from adding another drop to
your already almost overflowing cup—
for I know that my sorrows pain
your good heart as much as they
do me—but this,world is so cold and
solitary that I have decided! that Bachelor
Jones must cease to be. In this world you
will never again see.
You have been a faith
"What does it mean?" demanded Aunt Jose when Mary and Dick had finished reading the note.
"Lordy, Mary, read this!"
"BACHE."
"Here's his tracks," said, Dick, "may be we can find, him before he does kill himself."
The ground was soft near the house and they easily followed the tracks across the yard to the pasture fence- The pasture grass was short and the ground hard and no more tracks could be found, although the three searchers spent two hours looking for them.
"Suicide," suggested Dick.
"No, Bache wouldn't kill hissef," said Aunt Jose, "But he says I'll never see him again."
"What else can he mean?"
"Oh, if he has killed himself them rascally Republicans ought to suffer for it."
"What else can he mean?"
"Can't be." asserted Mary.
It was 10 o'clock. Mary and Dick went off in another direction. Aunt Jose returned home and searched Bache's room and read his note fifty times and then sat down to read it again. Bache had been in bed, had taken some of the wine, and had gone away wearing his cap and light overcoat—that was all Aunt Jose could discover. She still hoped that it was only a joke or a mistake.
But Bache seldom joked and he always kept his word.
Aunt Jose had sat by the window a long time debating the probable meaning of the note and muttering imprecations against "them rascally Republicans," then when Mary came running across the yard almost out of breath.
"On the river! Oh, he's drowned. Them rascally Republicans has killed Jim."
"Ma—his coat," panted the girl, holding up a light overcoat.
"Where was it?"
Aunt Jose settled back in her chair with a look of despair, but soon roused herself and the two set out for the river. Near the log where the coat had been they found tracks which they traced to the water's edge, but they could find no tracks pointing away from the river. The bank was perpendicular at that point and about three feet above the water. The water was twenty feet deep and the current fast.
Many times the two women went over the ground between the log and the river, praying for some faint ray of hope. But in vain. The evidence was too strong to admit of doubt. Bachelor Jones had kept his word.
(To be continued.) FOWLER SHOP NOTES.
Laboratory work has begun in the dynamo testing room. Mr. Rice is conducting the class which for the present will work only with direct currents.
Prof. Blake has had glass placed in the doors leading into the dynamo testing room so that visitors may get some idea of the laboratory and equipment at such times as it is locked up.
Messrs. Stone and Cluster have finished setting up the new torsion testing machine in Prof. Palmer's laboratory.
The new milling machine which has been set up in the corner of the machine room next the tool room is one of the finest machines of its kind anywhere. It embodies the very best ideas of machine designs, has all the latest improvements, and from an artistic standpoint has all those niceties of proportion and finish that characterize the American machine tool.
Messrs McCloud, Ludlow, McKensie and Weeks all prominent men of Kansas City, Mr. Weeks being the superintendant of the Kansas City Edison Electric Light company were shown through the shops Tuesday by Prof. Blake
The many friends of Mr. John Newhouse will be pleased to learn that he has secured the position of chief engineer at Haskell Institute, Mr. Lindsay having resigned. Mr. Newhouse has been connected with the shops more or less since they were first started years ago, and therefore it is only just that he should have it. The best wishes of all in his new position.
Prof. Blake ever anxious to extend the useful scope of the Engineering School has inaugurated a new department, which may be called a school apprenticeship. In this course the student spends all of his time in the shops without doing any book work.
Mr. Johnson of Topeka is the first student to enroll in this new course; he is a skilled mechanic having spent ten years in the Santa Fe machine shops at the above place, but is desirous of gaining a practical knowledge of the handling of boilers, engines and dynamoes,which work he is now taking under Mr. Griffith, the engineer.
The regular meeting of the Masque was held Thursday evening at North College. The principal feature of the program was a talk by Prof Vickrey, in which he related some of his own experiences in dramatic work and gave some valuable hints to the club.
The Masque.
It has been decided to repeat "As You Like It," for the spring play this year. It is to be made an event and advertised all over the state. The play will be much improved over last year's performance, which was really but an experiment, and will not disappoint the high expectations from the club which are now entertained.
The club at a called meeting last week elected officers who took their places at this week's meeting. They are: President, Mr. Sydney Prentice; vice-president Miss Elma Van Fleet; secretary, Miss Ethel Connellly; chairman program committee, Prof. Chas. Vickrey; chairman committee on Presentation of Plays, Mr. Franklin Baker; Business manager, Mr. E. L. Kenyon.
Der Deutsch Verein.
At the meeting of the German club, March 11, an interesting program was presented. After a song by the Verein and the giving of various items of news by the members present, Rev. Rademacher of the German M. E, church favored the club very kindly with an agreeable account of his journey "to Europe with a handbag." A vocal solo by Miss McCrory accompanied by Miss Wiedemann closed the program.
RICHMOND
STRAIGHT CUT
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are more desirable than ever — the new tin box prevents their breaking and is convenient to carry in any pocket.
IN TIN BOXES
For Sale Everywhere.
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The regular course is four years. Conditions are arranged for advanced standing. We claim an unusual amount of compulsory laboratory work, and unusual excellence in it; a very great variety, and abundance of clinical material, and a su- jected learning it for the benefit of students. For circulars of information address the secretary.
DR. N. S. DAVIS, Jr.,
BOWERSOCK OPERA HOUSE.
2431 Dearborn Street. Chicago, Ill.
Thursday, March 23.
AMERICA'S GRANDEST SPECTACLE
Chas. H. Yale's
FOREVER
DEVIL'S AUCTION.
Prices 25, 50, 75c and $1.00.
Seats on sale at Dick Bros.
store Monday.
ZUTTERMEISTER.
An immense line of Fall Hats at price that defy competition at M. J. Skofstad's 8$4 Massachusetts street.
MANUFACTURER OF
PURE CONFECTIONS and
FINE ICE CREAM.
Oysters served in any style.
Phone 188.          709 Mass. st
CHAS. L. HESS.
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937 Mass. St.
Telephone 14.
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Dealer in
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Fresh and Salt Meats.
Special rates given to clubs.
Boots and Shoes Made.
GEORGE FLINN, *.*
Repairing neatly done at reasonable rates
West Henry Street.
LAWRENCE CANDY KITCHEN.
937 Massachusetts Street.
Candy made fresh every day.
Candy made fresh every day.
Best Creams, 20 and 30 Cents
917 Massachusetts Street.
HUTSON'S BAKERY.
709 Vermont Street.
Bread for sale from wagon, at leading grocers, and delivered to clubs.
MOAK'S BILLIARD HALL and BOWLING ALLEY.
The Only First-Class Resort in the City-
Best Grade of Cigars.
714 Mass. St.
Office hours: 8 a. m. to 6 p. m.
DENTIST.
EDGAR WRIGHT.
Office 743 Massachusetts St.
Lawrence, Kan.
e hours: 8 a. m. to 6 p. m.
Will Give you attention at
CALDWELL'S BARBER SHOP.
812 Mass. St.
Four Good Barbers
We give you the kind of work that you want!
haircuts, braids, hair cut 18c, razors 23c,
Shave lip, hair cut 18c, razors 23c.
Star Bakery.
O
HENRY GERHARD & BRO.,Props.
We solicit the patronage of the people.
Watkins National Bank.
Capital $150,000. Surplus $18,000.
J. B. WATKINS,
President.
C A. HILL,
Vice President.
PAUL R. BROOKS,
Cashier.
W. E. HAZEN,
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DIRECTORS.
J. B. WATKINS, C. A. HILL, A. HERNING
J. B. HAZEN, J. HOUSE, P. BROOKS
Savings Department deposits received
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Rallies on all the principal cities of the world.
A.WHITCOMB & SON.
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FLORISTS
PLANTS, CUT FLOWERS,
GARDEN SUPPLEMENTS
Students trade solicited.
844 Tenn. St.
A. P. HULTZ, Dentist.
No. 735, Mass. St.
Lawrence, Kan.
Home Bakery.
Mrs. Johnson & Renfrow.
Connected with Central Hotel.
Home made bread, cakes and Saratoga chips.
Morris,
The Photo Artist,
giving better rates to classes and clubs than
829 Mass. Street.
}