The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-05-30

A-NN NAAS . NSAAlN
TO tell me bout some bad conduct
OF Sammy's. Wen, il you've got any
fault to find with my grandson, out
with it. I'll back re every time" Mr..
I:Iodgctt, who WAS blowing, while Sam
my helped him by guiding the horse,
turned round to his grandson as he
spoke.
oh, I assure you, NJ. B!odgctt, Sam
my behaves beautifully. 1 called on an
entirely different errand. Probably
Sammy has told you about the fing We
want TO buy"
NO, he hain't."
well" said little Miss Stanton quick
~, "wc want to provide a flag for our
schoolhouse. Nearly every schooIhouse
III the country has one. And we want
you TO help u.s."
a flag! What for?" demanded Mr..
Blodgctt.
Why, don't you think" she spoke
with surprise, that the daily sight of
their country's flag viii make the
pupils better children now, and better
men and wOmcn by and by"
L NO hHON dDoul Ilhtl- ICSJOIhtb
Mr.. Blodgett. There's lots of foolish
notions running round loose nowadays,
and this strikes me rs one of EN-. Hoist
ing n flag and making Il Fourth o July
out of all the three hundred and sixty
odd days in the year. Stick 10 writing,
reading ard 'rithmetic, and let the
rGummerics be-"
Miss Stanton, too shrcwd either to
show dismay Or TO wrar%lc with the
farmer, simply looked as if she were
amazed at and pitied his sentiments.
How much do you calculate 10 put
out for the flag?!" he asked. forced by
.ner demeanor to doubt whether he mad
not put himself in the wrong.
oh, something like SO"
"Whcw-cw!" Mr.. Blodgett whistlcd
his astonishmcnt. And how much do
you lay out for ne - give":
Miss Stanton had an Instructive
knowledge that it is often judicious TO
ask for L"oEe than IN expects. Well,
l 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 I came out this Saturday TO
ask you two to help US get the flag"
Mr.. Blodgett gave little jumptoward
ms pillow. "Igucss you don't know much
about Plurkett.!" he gasped. Dave
Simpson, did you say? Dave Simpson.
The meanes man in Plunkett! Skin Il
lea for its hide. Ten dollars. Him."
He considered a moment. "Lcok
a-here,." he said. You go and see Dave
Simpson. Tell him Bill Elodgctt sent
you. Don't leave hat out. He. Will
know what / mean-he and l were in
the wal together. Tell him you want
4 S4O-dollar flag for Plunkett school
house. And III match you, cent Tor
cent, dollar for dollar, whatever you
get out of Dave Simpson. Come! there's
an offer for you" |
WHY, that's a splendid offer, sir!"
said Miss Stanton, rather sarcastically.
Thank you, Mr.. Blodgett. Good-hy- |
thank you so much. Good-by, Sam
my"
"Well!" muttered Blodgett, chuck
ling. 4 got out of that neat. Get up,
Sammy" And yet, he felt. ~uncasily,
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 a great many
other questions. She could @ get in
4 word about the flag. She began to
suspect q method in Mr.. Simpsons VOL
utility.
And how is this naughty Polly car
Tying on?" he asked.
Miss Stanton smiled on the pair.
"'Have you told grandpa about our flag, |
Polly?"
Dave Simpson squared his shoulders.
His amiable expression vanished. His
pocket W as attacked.
WELL" he faltered, "Tm sorry to dis
obleege $uu-really-tspecially Il 1T