The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-07-26
Rise, Sing and Sign"

A fishing party for the Bigbee was organ
lied in this city last week. They were al
good Democrats except one misguided, bu
clever fellow, whom we shall call Tom. Il
the crowd was rolllcking, jolly, good
natured Democrat, known as Tobe, wht
had striven long and earnestly to conver
Tom, ond induce him to turn from tht
error of his way, but without success. Ar
irving at the river, Tobe induced Tom t,
| get i'll the same boat with him to fish, ant
they showed off from the bank and strucl
out for deep water lobe padded the
craft around for while, and failing t.
catch any fish, he concluded the "bad luck
they were experiencing was attributable tt
Toms political apostasy. SO he threw
down his fishing tackle and paddles, ant
addressed his companion as follows
'Look here Tom, I've argued with you
to convince you OF your political heresy
I've plead with you to come back to the
fold of the great and good Democratic
party I've entreated you to leave off suct
evil associates as Davis, Vassar, Under.
wood & Co. I've besought you not to cast
your lot with corrupt place hunters and
mean white men, and to every appeal you
have turned deaf ear. Now don't you
see you are going to the bad as fast as time
can carry your Don't you realize that
your friends are concerned on your account?
Don't you understand that the fish fail to
bite, not only for you, but for me when 1
am in company with your Can't you COM
prehend the fact that the day is not far
distant if you are permitted to continue to
keep company with sore-heads, disorgan-
izers and Radicals, you will be thought no
better than they. Now, personally, like
you, and failing in everything else, am
determined to try heroic remedy in your
case. AS mild hammered as appear to be,
I'm the worst bulldozer you ever saw; SO
old boy, you must rise, sing and sign, or
you go overheard"
Suiting the action to the word, Tobe be-
gan to rock the ''dug- g-out," to the mortal
terror of the greenbacker, who cried out
so, don't do that Tobe, I can't swim q
lick"
ToBE. 81 know that-never saw one of
your party that could swim or run either,
but if you don't repent of your political
sins, and promise to do better in future,
I'll drown you here and now."
The old boat began to rock to and fro, |
and dip water from both sides. Tom, hold |
ing to his seat, his teeth chattering and his |
face deathly pale, managed to articulate
you-will- l-drown-one
of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
saw"
ToBE. 80, no! so you are converted are
your Will you renounce Rube Davis, quit
Issociating with disorganizers, and attend
10 more Radical meetings2"
Tom ''Yes, yes Ill do anything if you
will only let me get back on dry land once
nore."
ToDE. evil you read the Bible and fol-
ow its precepts, and will you be true and
aithful TO the Democratic party and its
eachings?"
Tom. 81 will, and l swear to you l
ever was Radical, and am not now a
ore-head, and never intend, hereafter to
ffiliate with that office seeking combina-
ion, known as the "Greenback party"
ToBE. Extending his hand. Come,
ard, rise, sing and sign'-you look better.
'ou'll never be be very handsome, but its
ny opinion, you will have too much sense
} quit the Democratic party again" l
Adjusting his fishing line, Tobe threw ]
is hook into the water with the remark,
1 think the fish will bite now," and in ,
linute he caught four pound trout
Messenger.