The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-06-25
AM SLANG.

How a Mild Specimen Of the Genuine
Article Affected sedate English
People.
1t was the privilege OF a certain
Detroiter to be invited to the country
seat of q delightful English family in
Devonshire. He is rather shy, and.
although accomplished and q good
story-teller, did not make great
effort to foist his talents upon the
congregation of guests who were
assembled there and who comprised
many bright people. One OF the
daughters finally said to him:
"Mr. G., do you know one thing
which has surprised me awfully?'
"No; what was it?"
"YOu have been here a week now
and haven't used any slang" y
"Well, really, l don't think that
"Oh, please use some just to oblige
me. | have heard so much about
American slang!"
81 can't think OF any just now, but
I'll tell you what I'll do. The first
time l think OF something I'll say it,"
every well, but mind, it must he aw-
fully American, you know"
The next Sunday everyone went to
church, for the family homestead was
located near q village which was said
to be II O fthe most orthodox places
i that part OF England. No one would
even ride to church, except those who
weretoO 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 a pleasing manner.
Before beginning the ermon 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 q
small sum-for the benefit of our
choir-who, as you know-have 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.
II know that you have already
given generously for various causes
and l dislike to taX-you all-but our
young friends-whose voices have Just
now-blended so harmoniously-and
pleasingly to the ear-are perhaps en-
titled-to some slight. recomtense--
for their great services in the past
and their earnest endeaYors."
AS the minister proceeded, getting
more and more monotonous until it
seemed as though he could never
reach the conclusion of his request,
the American shifted uneasily and
then, leaning over whispered to the
girl who had asked for a little
"Oh, tell him to cut it short and
PASS the PLATED"
The girl was nearly convulsed with
laughter but, managing to control
herself, leaned I'VE and said to the
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 five sisters had absorbed it
they were fairly shaking with suppress
ed laughter. Then 1T was passed on
to the guests and before the minister
had concluded his dissertation every
ono in the church was striving to sup
press outward Indication of merriment
by means of handkerchiefs. But when
the plate was really circulated che eld-
est sister Uttered loudly and the five
followed, the youngest whisper
ing lightly:
"Cut him short and pass the PLATED"
The American was q lionfor the rest
OF the day, and the half q dozen girls
all We'd with each other in showering
attentions upon him, while the old
gentleman, their father, declared that
slang was awfully funny,
you know, almost as funny as
punch.-Free Press.
The Dress-Maker's Subterfuee.
81 discovered the other day." said
a New York woman. GLOW far-reach.
are class ramifcations in this So
called democratic country. A woman
formerly in the employ OF a firm who
made dresse. for me came to me ar
nouncing her start for herself and
imploring almost, that 1
would give her some OF my custom. I
gave her an order and in due time she
brought the garment completed to fit