The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-04-05
Cheap Fare.

Col. EbeneZer SprOat, VINO was porn
in marlborough, Mass, in 1852,
served through the revolutionary war
with distinction, and, being soldier
himself, naturally thought that sol
diers engaged in their country's de-
tense deserved to be handsomely
treated. His father, it appears, kept
a country tavern. Early in the war,
while Ehenezer was a captain, he was
at home on short furlough and one
day three privates on their way home
from the army called at the house for
a cold luncheon.
Mrs. Sproat set on the table some
bread and cheese with the remains OF
the family dinner. Ebenezer thought
this rather scanty fare for hungry
men, especially as the bones were al
ready pretty bare. However, the men
satisfied their appetites and asked
what was to pay. Capt. Sproat an
swered that he did not know; he would
ask his mother; and going to the
kitchen door he said:
"Mother, how much is it worth to
pick these bonesp"
"About a shilling, I suppose" she
answered.
He went back to the room, took from
the drawer 8 shillings, and with a
smiling face handed them to the men,
at the same time wishing them good
day and pleasant journey.
When the men had been gone few
minutes Mrs. Sproat returned and
asked Ebenezer what he had done
with the money that the men had paid
him.
paid me?" said the captain, with an
air of amazement. Didn't ask you
what it was worth to pick those bones,
and didn't you say shilling?
thought it little enough for such Jot
and handed them the money from the
till and they are gone"
| Ebenezer was his mothers favorite
son and she accepted the matter as 6
good joke to be borne without com
planning g. Youths Companion
He Was Flung at the Widow.
There was queer little old man a
the Central market the other morning
who took huckster into his confidence
after bit and said:
"I'm a-thinkin' of gittin' married
agin. Seems to be lots O. wimen il
Detroit and l didn' know but wha
you might recommend me to som,
one."
"Purty old, amt youP" queried thu
huckster.
"Oh, no. I hain't but four day.
over 72 and that's only middle-aged
Why, fellers 80 years old are stepping
off every day!"
"Want gal or widow?"
"a widder. No gals fer me. Gal
hain't settled in their minds, you
know. Jest kinder fling me some wild
der about 40 years DID,"
"PropertyP"
Might have a little but her low
and society is the main object. Wan
some one to kinder pat me on the bacl
when feel lonesome, you see."
The huckster gave him the address
of widow on Champlain street wht
used to have a stall on the market anC
asked him to come back and repor
how he was received.
"You bet I will" chuckled the OLD
man. "Mebbe I'll have you 90 will
| me to pick out the engagement ring
eh?~~In be back in an hour"
He was back in twenty minutes. H,
was carrying collar and necktie in on,
hand and holding his buttonless YES
together with the other
Hi! How did you come out?" call
ed the huckster as he got sight o
him.
"Sir,- are you talking to meP" de
manded the old man with great dig
nifty.
"Of course I am! Was it goP"
"Sir, l never saw you before in m,
life, and you keep your distance or Ii
have you run in!" hotly exclaimed tn
old man as he walked on and revealed
the. fact that his coat was split up tn
back and one boot-heel was missing.
"How about the ringP" shouted tn
huckster.
But the other never turned. He ha,
been flung at widow and he was 90
ing straight home to repair damage
and think over it.-Detroit Free Press