The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-02-25
The cANvAssER's RECEPTION.

He was directory man, and he was
canvassing from house to house for names
to swell the population list. He came in
with book Of blank slips in one hand,
pen in the ether, and an ink bottle strap |
ped to his side, and with general air Of
official authority that was very ill-advised
in the abode Of the McGonagles. For
it was very evident from the manner in
which Mrs. McGonagles arose from her
scrubbing to welcome the intruder that
she regarded him with grave suspicion,
and vaguely associated him in hel own
mind with the obnoxious jurv-box, or tax
department or small pox hospital. And
it was plainly for these reasons that when
the stranger coarteously greeted her, she
placed her arms akimbo with the scrub
bing brush in her right hand, said in the
shortest and curtest manner:
"Good mornin', SIR"
s.Is the head of the family in. mad
anne :" said the gentleman. dipping the
pen into the stand and opening his
paper of slips.
CAV we've got the blessin' O soight
We II be able to see that me heads on me
shoulders" said Mrs. McGonagee with
dignity, "barrin' yc'ye the affection O
, lookin crossvise wild regardin' the point
O your pin. an thin mayhap yell be able
to see me av ye'll look at the dur. = :.
, "You misunderstood me, madam,
: said the canvasser, 81 simply wished to
know whether the proprietor is at home. "
. "Shure, un' I'd hav little to do to be
, kapin track O. the landlord, bad luck to
, him, wild his pay the rint-pay the rint.
Mebbe YOU can foind ont about him al
the stone house beyant whore he lies now
; as drunk as fool wild the wine he TUX al
n last nights ball.
4 81 do not want to see the landlord.
y want to see the tenant of this house
Your husband, or son, or yourself.
, "Faix, an I'm in plain soight av' yell
). only open your eyes.
:; .Madam, will you be kind enough t
- give me your husbands name"
> "Arrah," said Mrs. McGonagle, "Mik
=. McGonagle's wife never gives anything
- a stranger entirely"
10 allow do you spell that name ;!
~ sPha.
, 10 'How do you spell it, What letter
.o do you write to
Nc .Och hone! Sorra letter l We VT
- since this day twenty year, seem there
other things has to do besides fooiil
RI away nv wild writin' letters. an If SON
Gu folks l seen wud be less handy with tt
ny pin they might be better paple alt
~ gcther." :,
al The last words were evidently an all
ST. sion to the visitor, who colored sensib
and said With some degree Of warmth
ne don't keep me all day. madam"
IN .Shure, an it's soight o your back
ne be good for the eyes. Don't let me ka
leu you minute, sir.
70 "But must stay here till I get the
st formationI desire. must have
al, name Of every person in the house ov
~ eighteen.
itn "rhcre's only tin Az US, an niv
gin another wud ye foind Az ye hunted fri
now to the end Of the world"
hey ..Wer," said the canvasser, 81 sh
the stay here till get the information. p
the haps che Of the girls will
the sOcb, murthur an turf, he's afther
Itch eurruls," cried Mrs. Gonagle-"get q
o this We haythen spulpane, an do
be- set vour fut inside O. me dour onymo
Key Away wid ye-"
ing Il shall stay here until
like He said no more. For the scrubb
YER brush from the hand OF mrs. Motions
sion came slap against his shirt bosom.
and was beautiful sight. He tried to
monstrate. Then the floor rag follo'
ept. the scrubbing brush and plunged into
kers face, and IS he turned to ny, Mrs
that Gonagie's bucket DISCHARGED its contt
that and Delayed his back With desp
had ing eroan the canvasser fed from
,ers' scene Of his disaster, while Mrs. McG
agile, standing in the door-way, shook
min. Est 1t him and said:
,rrr- aBad cess to the loiks O. ye! III +
him ye to Be comm into nones. lolks Y
n sarch O. the guTruls. Every gih
rot IS By. bat re never shall know
for u Wanderin' viIlain!