The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-07-14
Sustaining the Cause.

care the springs of life eternally flow
ing around this section Of the vineyard
asked hard faced woman with reti-
cule, glaring hard at the managing editor.
81 reckon so" replied the editor, try
ing to get the corkscrew into his boot.
"Are they flowing freelyP" demanded
the hard faced woman, surveying the
managing editor distrustfully.
II don't think l have detected any
Abatement" sighed the editor, aban-
doning the corkscrew and endeavoring
to draw his hat over the flask on his
desk. Tho springs appear to be doing
a land office business in these quarters.
How do you find it in other quarters OF
the vineyard?" and the editor success led
in kicking an empty bottle into tho city
editors room.
ais the cause Of temperance taking a
strong hold on the sinners in this estab-
lishment?" she inquired with frown.
That's the only thing that may be
said to have death grip on the news
paper business returned the managing
editor with pleasant smile. al should
say that the profession of journalism is
the only one that now practically sup
ports the temperance cause on princl-
ple," and the managing editor Ostenta-
tiously called the office boy and demand
ed glass of water.
Then understand that rum has been
entirely abolished from this Officer" de-
manded the woman, making afew mem
pranda in her pocketbook. The evil
of intemperance has been completely
rooted out of this institution"
Never got in here, ma Jam, averred
the editor, solemnly. IL wouldn't per-
NIT it," and the editor worked around
so that the beer bottles behind his chair
would not show.
"Are you worker in the causeP' and
the hard faced woman looked at him
suspiciously.
That's the way spend most of my
time" returned the editor. Every
spare moment and a great deal Of my
business time is pat in in that way. I'm
right on the temperance racket from the
first rattle of the box to the last card in
the layout"
The woman regarded him intently for
a moment and then made another mem
orandum.
"Haveyou collected any moneys for the
great cause?' she asked aftera pause.
"Not as yet, ma'am. But have q
great deal promised and the editor
threw his overcoat over demijohn in
the corner.
IL find your assessment TO be ", y
observed the woman, after n careful
scrutiny of her tablets. If you can
collect it well and good, but you will
have to pay me now or will strike you
from the rolls"
"How much is mine?' asked the re-
ligious editor stepping upon the scene
and greeting the woman with apleasant
smile and a hearty shake OF the hand.
Lump his and mine and the city edit
or's all together and the religious ed
itor pulled out so bill and held it
temptingly in sight.
That Just makes it, said the hard
faced woman, grabbing at the bill.
THAT is just right Thanks. Good
day. Keep up the cause, no matter
what it cOsts!'
II don't know how you could have
made bigger ass of yourself with your
money remarked the managing edit
or, as they tipped over the demijohn
and proceeded to keep up the cause.
That's all right smiled the relig-
ious editor. Don't you bother about
me. I'm all right That $40 was coun-
terfeit. and I've been working it off for
several months but never fetched it!
This is very nice; where'd you get it?'
--Br0oklyn Eagle.