The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-10-26
A STORY OF COUNTRY LIFE.
BY ALMA L. PARKER, GUIDE ROCK, NEB.
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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, / believe"
What are calves WORTH?
"Well, they're too awful high. The
war raised the price of beef"
"But how could that affect it?'
why, it makes a 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"
II don't remember about it; 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 it wasn't for them
rich fellows that have control of the
markets we'd get what we'd ought to
have"
fly. 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. 81 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 as hens
teeth"
wages are good, then"
Eyes, they're too almighty good to
suit me. Why, it's enough to break
farmer up to hire help"
Its a sign of good times. Simon 1
see you are prospecting despite the gold
standard"
We'll, Ezra. l am as much in favor
of free silver as l 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"
$50 you are an anti-expansionist, are
you, SimonY'
You're right, am. / am on the side
of those poor Filipinos who are being
oppressed. l am on the side of Agui-
naldo, the Washington of the Philip
pines. They are fighting for freedom,
and they ought to have it. If were
Filipino as l am an American l would
never lay down my arms, neyer!''
Simon" said Ezra, sit is just such
men as you that are prolonging that
war. Aguinaldo would have given up
long ago We're it 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 civilized, intelligent man, while
Aguinaldo is an ignorant, uncivilized
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 agoin'. to have
lots of company"
1t happened to be stranger this
time, who wished to know if he could
find a nights lodging. Simon told him
that he could. to walk right in, for it
was very seldom that he turned trav-
elers away. This one was a foreigner;
yes, he was Irish-you could tell his ma
tionality by his short. thick physique
and the "St. Patrick" expression on his
countenance.
Whats your name?' inquired Simon.
My name is Pat Murphy, sor, and
whots yours? Grey? Wal. thot's not
sich very uncommon sort of name"
1--WE were just discussin' this anti
expansion question, Mr.. Murphy" said
Simon, hopefully. what do you think
about it?"
"Well, mister, l haven't diyil of a
bit of use for the anty-expander. He's
the Teller thot's agin everything"
Simon wasn't expecting to hear such
an answer as that, and was disguised
when everybody in the room had a
hearty laugh at his expense. To make
matters worse. the Irishman continued:
Hes the Teller 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-
ton is always withheld till somebody
else has done the job"
.'Oh, go on" said Jimmie. who was
very interested in the Irish travellers
talk.
WELL" continued Mr.. Murphy, "it's
been a nachur'l SUCCESSION of ivints thot
Ito be continued.t