The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
THE LOUNGER,

! AAA
Among the live inhabitants of the lusty
young town of Great Falls are two good
FELLOWS who are thoroughly up to stuff. y
One of them is an alderman and the other
is very close friend. Helena is sometimes
visited by these gentlemen. who always
manage to pay expenses by working an in
genlous scheme. It is this: They drop in
10 resort and find few friends. One OF
tnem draws letter from his pocket and
chances curiously at the writing. Then in
soft and catching way he observes: "Tha
Is rather funny. Here / have a letter from
young lady friend who is particularly
bright and very we'll educated. Notice how
well the letter is written. Now the portion
that ! cannot understand is this. 1t seems
she has lately Joined church choir which
is spelled "quire." never heard the word
spelled that way before, and yet l guess
TINS girl knew what she was writing about"
Il know it is not right when used in that
connection" adds the partner.
"Well, will just bank on the Young
lady's reputation and bet that she is right
Then the bystanders rush forward to
find out whether he will really bet He
| SS"AA~o oAA4AAAbAAy dDOut duO dCCcptS Ill
wagers offered. When the pools are closed
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS all consult diction.
airy and learn to their surprise that they
are losers. Quire IS perfectly correct
definition of a band of singers though of
course it is hardly ever used with that mean
ing. The Great Falls gentlemen are very
smooth for they have worked the racket
many times. Not long ago they captured
fifty dollar bet from n Helena man.
ss&s
There are other catch words in the Eng
lish language. For instance the other day
l was standing with few fellows on
corner when friend came along hopping
his brow with handkerchief.
Il have been running down hill and am
transpiring freely" he said.
The crowd quietly smiled. II gaess you
mean perspire," said one of the authorities
on words.
II mean just what ! said and will bet
bottle of wine that I am right" retorted
the first man.
the course Of an hour all were seen drink
ing at the expense of the man who made
the correction.
~
North Dakota is not popular state with
travellers over one of our great trunk line
railroads. They find it pleasant to kill
time along the route by gathering in the
dining car and emptying bottle of wine,
but when the Dakota line is reached mat
ters assume another shape. The system is
changed and those who care to drink are
served with original packages. They can
dispose Of these as they choose but no
drinks are served again until the car is out
of the state. The other day met three
fellows at the depot on their way to St.
Paul. Each had a paper covered package
under his arm.
"What are those?" enquired.
''Our Dakota bottles,'' one of them an
swered.
~
In the course of the recent tribute to the
memory of the late Samuel j. Randall,
Speaker Reed referred to a scene in the
house never to be forgotten by those pres
emit. 1t was in the closing hours of con-
gress, in March, 1885. The hands of the
clock were fast approaching the hour of II
and there was the rush of business and
furore of excitement incident to the close
of the session. Almost at the last minute
Mr.. Randall arose and moved that the rules
be suspended and that the president be
authorized to place Gen. Grant upon the re-
tired list with the highest rank known in our
land. The motion was wholly unexpected.
though the struggle had been long and
seemingly hopeless. 1t was critical time
but the motion was carried almost at the
closing moment.
~
An old Washinetonian, now resident of
Helena. in speaking of the scene, referred
to an incident never before mentioned in
print. He said: II presume few people
know that that motion was carried by q
cold bluff. It happened that just before
Mr.. Randall, arose a representative Of one
of the southern states got the floor. Each
was struggling for recognition.
Il have the floah'' yelled the southerner,
my bill is first sah.''
"Then take your bill out of the way"
roared the great Pennsylvania.
The southerner, paralyzed and dazed, fell
back into his seat forgetting that the privi-
leee really belonged to him. The next
minute Mr.. Randalrs motion was passed.
1t was the last act of the dying congress
which was adjourned minute later. 1t
was bluff as nervy and superb as was ever
attempted and it was magnificent sue
cess.
| Ladies' Watches!
There will no doubt be number of the