The Washington weekly post., 1900-11-13

over to see what could be done, and of
course his wallet was wide open for con-
! tributions. Hezekiah Dawson wanted to
say "a few words also. He began to talk
about the discovery of America and the
pilgrim fathers, but Deacon Spooner
choked him off and got him down to the
outbreak of the civil war. He'd hev hung
on there if he hadn't bin logged agin,
and ii was quarter of an hour before he
got around TO say that he was awful
sorry for the Widder Jackson, and wanted
to be one of the first to prove his big
| heartedness. Four or five others had
their say, and then Henry Schemerhorn
held up paper and said:
'As | take 1t, we are all of us ready
and willin' 10 make up little purse for
the sufferin' widderr'
I'VE arer" called everybody at once.
Then there's nuthin to prevent. Bein'
as Jabez Thomas was first to make known
the case, he should hev the homer of be-
in the first TO put his name down on this
paper"
Jabez hung back. He said he was only
humble citizen, and didn't want to put
himself forward over others. While his
heart throbbed and bled and bobbed
around, he'd give way to Deacon Spooner
and come in second.
Gentlemen" said the deacon. as he
looked around in a lonesome way, al hev
bin resident of Jericho less than twenty
years, and / don't want to assume the
privilege of an old pioneer. It's an honor
to head that paper. but dasn't claim 1t
when so many better and older citizens
are before me. / don't want 10 hurt no
body's feelin's by bOostin' one man over
another, but ii do seem to me, under all
the circumstances, that Squar' Joslyn is
the man to write his name first of any
body in Jericho
The squar' was red in the face as he
rose up. and he didn't look a bit pleased as
he said:
while I may be the Oldest resident of
Jericho nobody has ever heard me brag of
it or thrust myself forward on that ac
count In signin' papers of this sort /
hev allus bin satisfied TO come in sixth or
seventh, and IL shall be so in this case.
My heart is open, and my wallet is open.
but I'd suggest that Moses Perkins head
the list / understand that he and the
iamented Thomas jackson used TO shin
butter and eggs on shares, and it seems
appropriate that he should hev this great
honor"
Moses got up ard began 10 talk of
George Washington and Bunker Hill hui
Deacon Spoener raped him down and
held him TO the case In hand. Then he
tried 10 say somethin' about the glorious
Fourth, but, bein' choked of ag'iu. ba
took the paper and put his name down
fur 10 cents. He explained, however
that that was only a starter and thar
his sympathetic heart could be depended
upon 10 do as much as any other heart
in Jericho. The paper went round AMI
men pat down their names for from Il 10 %
cents. Each one had an explanation Ia
make. He was only throwin' out a feeler
but could be depended upon for 500 II
there was need of ii. The sum of $3.50
had bin raised and there was a general
feelln' all through the crowd that Jericho
was coin herself proud when Lish Bill
ings came saunter!n' in. Deacon Spoon
Cr at once explained the case 10 him and
added:
"Lish. you are known to be a big heart
ed man. and We all know you will BE-
glad TO contribute 10 sich worthy cause.
Give US your name"
Il see," said L!sh as he took the paper.
"that you hev raised 81 50 for a sick and
distressed widder who has lived among
Us for fifteen years"
I'VE hoy"
And it's all goln' 20 be hers?'
EVERY cent Of II"
And YOU want me 10 make il up 10 s.
and DO old Jericho proud?'
That's II, L.sh.''
WAL. you'll hev 10 excuse me. The
wilder don't happen to need the con-
tributi0ns OF our throbbin' and sympa-
thetlc hearts. Shs died about an hour
age, and her sister Is comm down from
Albany 20 bury herr
Copyright 1890 By c. B. Lswis,