Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-06-16
AM r SLAM G,

How a Mild Specimen of the Genuine
Article Affected Sedate English
People.
1t vas the privilege OF a certain
Detroiter to be invited to the country
seat OF a delightful English family in
Devonshire. He is .rathar shy, and
although accomplished and a svr5s
~story-teller, did not make ereat
effort to foist his talents upon the
congregation OF guests who were
assembled there aud who comprised
many bright people. One OF the
daughters finally said to him:
"Mr. C., DO you know one thing
which has surprised me awfully?'
"No; what was it,"
"You have been here Il week now
and haven't used any slang"
"Well, really, l don't think that
/"
"Oh, please use some just to oblise
me. | have heard so much about
American slang"
II can't think of any lust now but
I'll tell you what I'll do. The first
time | think OF something I'll say it,
Every well, but mind, it must be aw-
fully American, you know"
The next Sunday everyone went to
church, for the family homestead was
located near a village which was said
to be one of the most orthodox places
inthat part OF England. No one would
even ride to church, except those who
were too old to walk or were disabled.
The American walked with the eldest
daughter, and her five sisters came on
behind, for like most English families.
the girls were in the majority.
When they were all seated and the
guests managed to crowd into the lit.
tie church, the choir, composed of vii.
lage girls, sang in q pleasing manner.
Before beginning the sermon the min
lister, a small man who spoke slowly,
said:
at is with extreme reluctance-that
| would call your attention-to the
fact that it is necessary-to realize a
small sum-for the benefit OF our
choir-who, as yon know-haye kind
ly volunteered-their services"
All the guests looked at one anoth-
er, for extra contributions for some
pretext had been the rule, and not
the exception for the last three
months.
al know that you have already
given generously for various causes
and | dislike to taX-yOu all-but our
young friends-whose voices have mst
now-blended so ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
pleasingly to the ear-are perhaps en-
titled-to some slight recomT ense--
for their great services in the past
and their earnest endeayors."
AS the minister proceeded, getting
more and more monotonous until it
! seemed Is though he could never
reach the conclusion OF his request,
J the American shifted uneasily and
| then, leaning over whispered to the
girl who had asked for o little
slang:
ooh, tell him to cut it short and
pass the plate"
The girl was nearly convulsed with
laughter but, managing to control
herself, leaned over and said TO the
sister sitting next to her:
"Mr. says to tell him to cut it
short and pass the plate"
The remark went along the line and
when the hve sisters had absorbed it
they were fairly shaking ithsuppress-
ed laughter. Then it was passed on
to the guests and before the minister
had concluded his dissertation every
one in the church was striving to sup
press outward indication Of merriment
nv means pf han1EarrhiafS R,t vhan
the plate was really circulated theeld-
est sister Uttered loudly and the five
sisters followed, the youngest whisper
ing lightly:
Cut him short and pass the platefF
The American was a lionfor the rest
OF the day, and the hall a dozen girls
all We'd with each other in showering
attentions upon him, while the old
gentleman, their father, declared that
American slang was awfully funny,
don't you know, almost rs funny as
punch.-Free Press,