Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1869-10-30
now SMITH ASKED HE OLD MAN.

OF bacheIordom. and she ssid Yes
II therefore became absolutely neces-
sary to get the old gentlenian's permits
sion, 80, 80 Smith said, the arrangements
might be made to hop the conjngal twig
Smith said he'd rather pop the inter
rogatory to all of old Thompson's danab
tiers. and his sisters, and his lady cous-
ms, and his aunt Hannah in the country,
and the whole of bis iamiiy relations,
than ask old Thompson But it had 10
be done, and 60 he sat down aud studied
out 4 speech which he was 20 disgorge At
old Thompson the very first time he got
a ally at him. So Smith dropped in on
him one Sunday evening, when all tho
family had E.sandered around to meeting.
and found hiA doing q sum in beer meas
ure.
"How are you, Smith z" said old
Thompson, as the former walked in, white
as q piece OF chalk, and trembling as If
be had swallowed a condensed earth
quake. Smith was afraid To answer, be-
cause be wssn't quite sure about that
speech. He knew he had to keep bis
grip on il while he had it there, or il
would slip from him quicker than an oiled
eel through an augur hole. So be
blurted oui
Mr.. Thompson-Sir Perhaps it may
not have been unknown to you, that dur
ing aO extended period of some five years,
/ have been busiiy engaged 10 the pros
ecution of o commercial enterprise"
els that so. aBd keepin' it a secret all
this time, while | thought you were ten
din store ? Well, by George, you're one
Of them now, amt you y
Smith had begun TO think it all over
again to get the ran OF it
Mr.. Thompso1, sir, perhaps it may
not he unknown To- you that. during the
extended period of five years, | have bern
busily engaged in the prosecution Of a
commercial enterprise with the determin-
alton 10 secure a sufficient maintenance
sit down, Smith, and help yourself to
beer. Don't stand there holdin' your bat
like a blind beggar with paralysis. |
have never saen you behave so queer in
all my porn days.
Smith had peer knocked ont again. and
SO he had TO wander back again and take
a fresh start.
"Mr. Thompson, sir, it may not be un-
known 10 you. that during an ex
tended period Of FIVE years ! have been
engaged IN the prosecution Of a CONNER
cial enterprise, with the determination 10
procure u Sufficient maintenance,
f." A which snce n asked old Thompson.
but Smith held on to the last word as II
it was his only chance and went on
In the hope that sums day might
enter wedlock, and bestow my earthly
posses.;.no .p.,n one whom | could call
my own. | have been a lonely man, sir,
and have felt that it is not good far a
man to be alone therefore | would
Neither is it, Smith !; I'm glad You
dropped 10. How's the old man :"
Mr.. Thompson, sir,p said Smith, in
despairing confusion, raising his voice to
a sytI;. n NAV mi be unknown that,
during an extended period Of lonely
man., ! have been engaged to enter we'd
lock, aud bestowed all my enterprise on
one whom | could determine to be good
for certain possessions - 90, Imean-that
is-that-Mr. Thompson, sir, it may not
be Known
And then, then, it may. Look here,
Smith, you'd better lay down and take
something warm, you amt well'
Smith, sweating like a four year colt.
went 10 again.
"Mr. Thompson, sir, it may not be lone
~ to You to prosecute whom you u friend
for q commercial msinteuance, bnt-bnt
e%b-dsng it-Mr. Thompson, sir. it.
"Oh, Smith, you talk like a fool. ]
never seen a more 6rst-class idiot in the
course of my whole life. What's the
matter with you, anyhow y
"Mr. Thompson, sir" said Smith 10 an
sgony of bswilderment, :" it may not be
known that you prosecuted a lonely man
who is not good for a commercial period
for some five years. but"
"See here, Mr.. Smith. you're drunk.
and IL you can't behave better than that,
you'd better leave If you don't Ill chuck
you out. or I'm a Dutchman.n
Mr.. Thompson. sir" said Smith, fran
tic with despair, lit may not be unknown
to You that my earthly possessions are
engaged to enter wedIock FIVE years with
q sufficiently lonely man. who is not
good for q commercial maintenance
THE very deuce ha isn't. Now, you
jist get up and git, or I'll knock what