Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-02-27

The cheers that went up as Col.
Thomphins took his seat were loud
enough to be heard over i'll Oregon
County, and the constable got out Of
bed to run over and see if there wasn't
some kind OF trouble.
"Thet's ther speerit," said the presi-
dent. II like ter see an eddikated man
like you, Colonel. talk thater way
The subscription list crawled up
slowly. Finally the little offerings,
some as small as fifty cents, began TIC
come in. Every few minutes some one
would loosen up his purse strings and
add So or $40, but those subscriptions
were becoming few and far between. AT
lenght $500, exclusive Of Col. Thomp-
kins' subscriptions, had been recorded
by the Secretary. IT seemed that not
another cent could be added to the list.
After ten minutes Of silence, in which
Col. Thompkins smoothed his hat, while
the members OF the meeting looked
about ut each other to see who would
contribute another dollar, the President
arose.
"Feller citizens" he said, I'VE air hyar
ter git er noospaper started, an not ter
fool erlong like er this We have gcs
$500 on the books all but ten. I hev
waited ten minits for some Teller ter put
tibet down, but he amt done it.
Col. Thomplsins slipped nervously
from his seat and started to speak.
eyes," continued the President, not
noticing the journalist, "an' now ter set
tie Their thing I'll give $40 more te
make up ther rest
"Mr President" he said there seems
70 be mistake. -
"Er mistake?" questioned old man
/! Fruitly, raising from his seat. "Weve
done raised ther $500"
"But, Mr.. President, that includes
my subscription, said the journalist.
| "Whut er that?" chorused dozen.
"Aint it good?"
But, gentlemen" continued Col.
Thompkins, my subscription was in
services and it will take money to start
this newspaper"
| "Aint yer services with money?s
asked the President. "Kaint yer trade
'em off fer Ell press?"
WELL" slowly continued Col
| Thomkins, not caring to depreciate his
| own worth, "cash is better for immedi
| ate USE
| Il move" said old man Hardy. sthet
ther cunnel takes back his otfer.'
As the old mans word was about the
law Of Howell County, then, many
grunts of approval were heard.
AN I'll make up ther rest Ell thel
money. an be edditer m'self."
The cheers broke out anew. Wher
they had ceased, the voice of the
wealthy old land owner was still trying
to make itself heard.
But we need er man with learnin
ter write erhout Their law an SIGH. I'll
gin ther job terther cunnel ct SIS Ell
month. Thet's so cents er day fer jest
sittin' eroun' an writin'."
| Col. Thompkins bowed low, and as
the applause that followed old mar
hardy's remarks died away, the veteran
journalist said:
Il thank our esteemed townsman fo1
! the trust he has reposed in me. Ishal
throw my whole soul into the work be-
fore us, and the entire world shall be
reflected from my trenchant pen.
shall be for the right, cost what it may
My energies will be directed to the up
building and betterment of this com
munity and my vast experience will
serve me as breastworks in battling
! against State and National evils
Again, gentlemen. let me offer my
services in starting this paper to the ex
tent of $780,"
The offer was accepted aud the meet
ing broke up. Col. Thompkins and his
silk hat were long after that familia,
! figures in the county, and when the ole
man at last died, he was laid away or
the side of an Ozark knoll, encased il
his faded suit and with his aged hat il
the coffin with him. The whole town
ship was out at the funeral and the
HomeU County Ho,Ditzer turned it.
column rules and suspended publication
for two weeks.-Homer Bassford, in
Detroit Free Press.