The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-05-29


to tell me bout some bad conduct
OF Sammys. Well, if you've got any
fault to find with my grandson, out
with it. I'll back We every time" Mr..
Blodgett, who was blowing. while Sam
my helped him by guiding the horse,
turned round to his grandson as he
spoke.
ooh, 1 assure you, Mr.. Blodgett, Sam
MY behaves beautifully. l called on an
entirely different errand. Probably
Sammy has told you about the flag we
want to buy"
"No. he hain't."
"Well," said little Miss Stanton quick
ly, 1--WE want to provide flag for our
schoolhouse. Nearly every schoolhouse
IL the country has one. And we want
you to help u.s."
"A flag! What for?" demanded Mr..
Blodgett.
"Why, don't You think" she spoke
with surprise, that the daily sight of
their country's flag will make the
pupils better children now, and better
Elen and women by and by?'
Il do know about that" responded
Mr.. Blodgett. "There's lots of foolish
notions running round loose nowadays
and this strikes me as one Of 'em. Hoist
ing n flag and making a Fourth O. July
out of all the three hundred and sixty
odd days in the year. Stick to writing,
reading and 'rithmetic, and let the
,Gummeries be-"
Miss Stanton, too shrewd either to
show dismay or to wrangle with the
farmer, simply looked as if she. were
amazed at and pitied his sentiments.
How much do you calculate to put
out for the flag" he asked, forced by
ner demeanor to doubt whether he had
not put himself in the wrong.
'Oh, something like $4O.'
''Whew-ew!" Mr.. Blodgett whistled
his establishment. And how much do
you lay out for me to give?'
Miss Stanton had an instructive
owledge that it is often judicious to
ask for more than one expects. "WeIl,
1 should like it if you and Mr. Simpson
would give me ten dollars each to start
the ball rolling. The minister tells me
you are one of the richest men in Plum
kett, and Mr.. David Simpson is the
other. So L came out this Saturday to
ask you two to help us get the flag"
Mr.. Blodgett gave alittle jump toward
ms pillow. Il guess you don't know much
about Plunkett!" he gasped. Dave
Simpson, did you say? Dave Simpson.
The meanest man in Plunkett! Skin a
flea for its hide! Ten dollars! Him!"
He considered a moment. Look
n-here!" he said. You go and see Dave
Simpson. Tell him Bill Blodgett sent
you. Don't leave that out. He will
know what 1 mean-hc and were in
the war together. Tell him you want
$4o-dollar flag for Plunkett school
house. And Ill match you, cent for
cent, dollar for dollar, whatever you
get out of Dave Simpson. Come. there's
an offer for YOU"
. why, that's splendid offer, sir!''
said Miss Stanton, rather sarcasticaIly.
''Thanll you, MIR. Blodgett. Good-by-
thank you so much! Good-by. Sam
1ny!"
WELT" muttered Blodgett, chuck
ling. Il got out of that neat Get up,
sammy" And yet, he felt, uneasily,
that he might have given a dollar to the
flag.
Miss Stanton, somewhat discouraged,
walked over to Mr.. Simpsons place
The first glance at him treasured her
Holding his little grandchild, Polly, by
the hand, he cordially inquired how she
liked Plunkett, and put great many
other questions. She could not get in
word about the flag. She began 10
suspect a method in Mr.. Simpsons vol
utility.
And how is this naughty Polly car
rying on?" he asked.
Miss Stanton smiled on the pair.
slave you told grandpa about our flag,
polly?"
Dave Simpson squared his shoulders.
His amiable expression vanished. His
pocket was attacked.
WELL" he faltered, I'm sorry to dis
obleege you-really-'specially as lit
4" Polly here wants it. But-but-
well-you see, in the matter of contrib
utions for flags and such things YOU
mustn't look to me to help you out.
Hope you amt over-much disappoint-
ed" he aided.
"Oh, not overmuch, for Mr.. Blod-
gett warned me IN season." smiled Miss
Stanton.
"Bill Blodgett!" exploded Mr.. Simp-
son. whats he know about it? Bill
Blodgett! That's good one! I'll have
you to know Bill Blodgett's the mean
est man in Plunkett! Splits his cop
pers for the contribution-box! What
IRE you laughing at?" he asked in an
aggrieved tone.