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, a
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 courteously 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.
"Is the head of the family in, mad
anne :" said the gentleman. dipping the
pen into the ink-stand and opening his
paper of slips.
!. CAV we've got the blessin' o soight
We IL be able to see that me heads on me
t shon .ders." said Mrs. McGonagee with
, dignity. 'barrin' yc'ye the affection O
5 lookin crosswise wild regardin' the point
S O. your pin. an thin mayhap yell be able
S to see me av yen look at the DUR.
S .You misunderstood me, madam,
r said the canvasser, 81 simply wished to
know whether the proprietor is at home.
}. .sShure, un' I'd hav little to do to be
n kapin track O. the landlord, bad luck to
9 him, wild his pay the rint-pay the rint.
j Mebbe YOU can foind out about him al
the stone house beyant whore he lies now
~ as drunk as fool wild the wire he TUX al
n last nights ball.
"A 81 do not want to see the landlord.
- want to see the tenant Of this house
Your husband. or son, or yourself.
!, "Faix, an I'm in plain soight av' vel
= only open your eyes.
- MADAM. will you be kind enough t
- give me your husband S name"
= "Arrah," said Mrs. McGonagle, "Mik
.. McGonagle's wife never gives anything
- a stranger entirely.
=. .'IIow do you spell that name
~ ..Pha. -
h "a .How do you spell it 4, What letter
ho do you write to
is "Och hone! Sorra letter I've VIZ
~ since this day twenty year, seem there
other things has to do besides foolil
lrt away my wild writin' letters. an if son
en- folks seen wud be less handy with Il
hS pin they might be better paple alt
ny gcther.' :,
raj The last words were evidently an all
81. sion to the visitor, who colored sensib
II and said With some degree of warmth !:
the Don keep me all day, madam.
J., IN sShure, an it S a soight o your back
he be good for the eyes. Don't let me ka
Ae" YOU a minute. sir.
TO but must stay here till get the
est formation desire l must have I
la,- name of every person in the house ov
O.n eighteen
nth .rhere's only tin Az US, an niv
gun another wud We foind av We hunted FRI
now to the end Of the world
hey "Weu," said the canvasser, 81 sh
the STAY here till get the information. P
the haps che Of the girls will
the :Och. murthur an turf, he's afther
itch gurruls," cried Mrs. Gonagle-'get
o this We haythen spulpane, an do
be- set your fut inside o me dour onymo
Key Away wild We.
tng Il shall stay here until
like He said no more. For the scrubb
YER brush from the hand of Mrs. McGons
sion came slap against his shirt bosom.
and was a beautiful sight. He tried to
monstrate. Then the floor rag folio
7ept. the scruob'ng brush ana piungeu in'o
.kers face. and as he turned 70 ny, MRS.
that Consoles bucket DISCHARGED its cont'
that and delpged his back. With desE
had ing groan the cansasser neu iro.n :
yers' scene of his disaster. while Mrs Met
agile, standing in the doorway, shook
min fist at him and said:
over aBad cess to the loiks o ye! I'll t
him We to be comm into honest folks no
in sarch O the gurruls. Every girl
got is by, but ye never shall know
for We wsnderin' villain!'