The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-25
"A STORY OF COUNTRY LIFE.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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pretend just because your prophecies
didn't come true that we are still hav-
Ing hard times. You know, Simon, we
never made money easier"
Cynthia" interrupted her better
half, looking bothered, "you don't know
what you're talkin' about
Now, Simon" said Ezra, Judging
from appearances, Cynthia must be
right. What are hogs worth now?"
about $3.50 at present, I believe 5.8
What are calves worth?"
"Well, they're too awful high The
war raised the price of beef"
but how could that affect it2''
why, 1t makes greater demand"
"Ah, Simon, but you told me when
was here before that supply and de-
mand had nothing to do with the regu-
lation Of prices"
Il don't remember about 1t; if did,
I've changed my mind since then. Here,
hogs are a goou price, but they are
scarce, and they ought to be higher
than they are, If 1t wasn't for them
rich fellows that have control Of the
markets we'd get what we'd ought to
have"
"Oh, Simon, you're too hard to salts "
fy. Why, you wouldn't be satisfied
with Heaven, unless Bryan was God,
and there was free silver. What's corn
worth now?'
Il don't know" said Simon. II haven't
had chance to take any to market yet.
I've been too busy to husk any myself,
and hired hands are as scarce MS hens
teeth"
Wages are good, then?"
Yes, they're too almighty good to
suit me. Why, It's enough to break =
farmer up to hire help"
"It's sign of good times, Simon. I
see you are prosperlng despite the gold
standard"
"Well, Ezra, ! am as much In favor
Of free silver us ever was, In spite Of
your so-called good times, but that Is
not the main reform that now confrOnts
us. The principal question now Is the
Philippine war. 1t Is disgrace to this
nation" .%a@ l ind.
$50 you are an anti-expansionist, are
you simon?''
You're right, am. am on the side
Of those poor Fillpinos who are being
oppressed. / am on the side of Agui-
| naldo, the Washington Of the Philip
pines. They are fighting for freedom,
and they ought to have 1t. II were a
Filipino as am an American would
never lay down my arms, neyer!'
Simon" said Ezra, ut Is Just such
men us you that are prolonging that
war. Agulnaldo would have given UP
long ago were 1t not for the sympathy
he Is having In this country. Now, you
compared Aguinaldo to Washington.
Why, you might as well compare a
blood-thirsty tiger to Washington. who
was a civilized, Intelligent man, while
Agninaldo is an ignorant, unciyillzed
heather, whose principal traits are cum
ming and treachery, something like the
American Indian"
Their conversation was here inter-
rupted by another knock at the door.
"Well," said Jimmie, wonder who's
comm next? Must be agoln', to have
lots of company"
1t happened to be stranger this
time, who wished to know if he could
find nights lodging. Simon told him
that he could, to walk right in, for II
was very seldom that he turned trav-
elers away. This one was a foreigner;
yes he was Irish.-you could tell his na-
tionality by his short, thick physique.
and The "St. Patrick" expression on his
countenance.
Whats your manner" inquired Simon.
"My name is Pat Murphy, sor, and
whot's yours? Grey? Wal, thot's not
sich very uncommon sort Of a name"
1--WE were Just discussin' this anti
expansion question, Mr.. Murphy" said
Simon, hopefully. "What do you think
about It." 1.. r
"Weil, mister, haven't a divil Of
bit Of use for the anty-expander. He's
the feller thot's agin everything.
Simon wasn't expecting to hear such
an answer rs that, and was dlsgusted
when everybody In the room had a
hearty laugh at his expense. To make
matters worse, the Irishman continued:
"He's the feller thot's f'river in the
way and never does enything but kick
at whot the other feller,'s doin'. He
always knows jest how ivrything ought
to be done, but his valuable infurma-
tion is always withheld till somebody
else has done the job
ooh, go on" said Jimmie, who WIS
very interested in the Irish travellers
talk
''Well" continued Mr.. Murphy, 'It's
been nachur' SUCCESSION Of ivints thot
ITO be continuedi