Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1899-06-16
a CLEVER KUSE.

a CLEVER nUsE. -
The Auctioneer Was Quick witted
And Finassy Made . Sale.
An auctioneer on East Washington
street-one of those redoubtable indi-
viduals commonly termed ''slick"-was
the cause Of farcical scene recently
that would have done credit to bur-
lesque show. He had been talking in
dustriously for long time to a crowd Of
interested but enthusiastic listeners.
The affable auctioneer conscientiously
went through his repertory from begin
ming to end, but somehow the crowd did
not warn up to him-to quote his own
language. Finally, with dark look that
bordered on despair, he grabbed up a
we'll known pasteboard hatbox contain
ing about so spools of silk thread of diff
ferent colors. With the grace of con-
jurer he extracted five or the spools, and,
arraying them in tempting semicircle
on the counter, announced that they were
Ito go at any price,"
But the audience, while admitting with
mods Of approval that they were good
spools of thread, displayed no marked
inclination to become excited over them.
Not bid was offered.
iii sell 'em for 10 cents" suggested
the auctioneer, timidly. It was plain
from the tone of his voice that he was
losing faith in himself and In all the
world. There were no takers. The
man Of the red flag added three more
spools to the semicircle. "An for 10
cents" he declared But thread stock
was far below par. The auctioneer
caught up all the spools from the coun-
ter and flung them into the box with an
impressive gesture. The light Of in
spiration flashed from his eyes.
1.-THE whole blamed box for 10 centsr'
he cried.
I'm take it," was the prompt response,
and a little man in washed out over
coat and wearer Of red chin whiskers
stepped out from the crowd with q dirty
10 cent piece Ii, his appraised hand. The
auctioneer clutched the money feyerish.
~, and, turning the box upside down 80
that all the spools dropped into basket
on the counter, he handed the worthless
piece Of ancient pasteboard to the any
gi0us customer. A roar Of hilarious
laughter rose from the crowd that was
heard throughout that neighborhood.
walled the unfortunate purchaser.
"You said you'd take it, replied the
, auctioneer. "Il leave it to the crowd
didn't hep
eyes" came in strong chorus from
the delighted audience.
II bought the spoolsv'
=, "No, you didn't! You bought the box!
I'll leave it to the crowd-didn't he?"
~
ger than ever. The red whiskered man
stalked Indignantly from the place with
the box under his arm.
What you going to do with it?' yell
ed the crowd.
las he held the pasteboard box in both
hands, football fashion, and kicked it
vigorously into the middle of Washing
ton street.-1ndianapolis Journal.
To Crisp Lettuce Leaves.
: Do you know how to crisp lettuce
leaves? A most simple process, but one
rarely adopted judging by the wilted
stuff we generally see served. A gentle
man Of the old school was my teacher.
and while yet mere maid l was pro-
noted to the proud dignity Of crisping
the lettuce
First carefully separate the leaves from
the stalk, describing discolored and inn
perfect ones and leaving untouched the
tiny hearts; lay them all in cool, clear
water for awhile, all morning il you
choose; pick them over a couple of times
before serving; wash one by one and lay
In wire basket if you have one; if not,
a clean, soft towel will answer; gather
the ends and sides loosely in your hand
and lightly Shake the lettuce; then put
the leaves in a colander, which you set
in the refrigerator but not on the ice.
Leave until needed, when you will find
the lettuce deliciously cool. qnd crisp
enough to crack. Never cut the leaves.
Il very large. divide with the fingers into
smaller pieces.-What to Eat. -.@| .. ~.