The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-12
GIVING A TEMPERANCE TALK.
Sermon of n Claim Agent to a Maine
stock Farmer.

(From the Boston Advertscr.)
j. S. Sanborn, the wealthy coffee mer-
chant of Boston. has stock farm at Po-
| land, Me. which is one of the show
places of the country. Mr. Sanbora.
when he is there. among his coach STAT
lions and mares. is having the best time
on to the farm, wears old clothes, talks
farmer talk. and forgets that he ever
lived in the city. Here Is the thing that
has tickled him most in ten years.
Mr.. Sanborn occasionally orders from
the city little something to keep in the
cellar for the horse-ioving friends who
drop around at his place to see him. And
as he admires his friends he has only the
best stuff. Awhile ago a shipment was
sts rted 70 him over the Grand Trunk
Nnen the packages reached Poland 1t
was found that some thirsty individual
had lifted a considerable portion of the
best whisky. Mr.. Sanborn complained to
the railroads agent at Lewiston JUNCTION
and the matter was reported In course
OF time a claim agent dropped of the
train at the junction enc day. The name
James $. Sanborn'' did not convey to
him the Significance it would to some 9TH
ers. That is to say. he wasn't looking to
down in Maine.
Now. ii happened that Mr. Sanborn had
arrived at the station only a few mo-
ments before to look after some freight
that he expected. He had been assisting
some of his men who had been pIoughing
The wind had been blowing across the
field, and the clothes Mr.. Sanborn wore
We're the oldest he owned. There was
more or less CRIME on his face, and as
he had walked across lots to the station
he hadn't bothered to wipe it off.
He was sitting by the office stove when
the claim agent came in. The stranger
from Montreal pulled out his papers and
looked at them.
Where will find one James s. San
BORN he asked the station agent.
There sits Mr. Sanboru right there"
ha
Ahf The claim agent fixed his eye
glasses on his nose and looked at the
bury man in the rusty, dust stained
clothes. ''Ah. So you are ]. s. San
born?'
Il am" said sanborn, composedIy.
Il find that you have put In claim for
loss of certain goods in transit
Il thing | remember something about
it, replied Mr.. Sanborn
II see that you have listed here a GER
tain amount of whisky at IS gallon
continued the claim agent. looking Severe
Yes. as 1 remember it. that's what
put 1t in for
What is your business. Mr.. Sanborn?'
Again the agent took a look at the old
clothes and the dirt.
"A farmer"
''Ahal A farmerl I don't know much
about the State of Maine. but l would
buy whisky at IS a gallon?" The agents
tone plainly indicated his opinion that
Sanborn was asking the railroad to pay
an exorbitant price. The station agent
started to interrupt, but Sanborn was en-
1oying the situation too much.
I'VE won't need any assistance from
you, Mr.. Blank" said Sanborn. II think
this gentleman and myself can settle the
matter ali right. Now. Mr.. Claim Agent,
here's the bill of that whisky from the
firm of which / bought it. You can see
for yourself that am only asking to be
reimbursed 1t really is eight-dollar whis-
ky"
The agent looked the bill over carefully.
and then, fixing Sanborn with a severe
look. he said:
MIR. Sanborn, 1t is evident that what
you say is true. We shall pay the bill.
But really do feel compelled to say that
am surprised to think that farmer in
your circumstances should be throwing
away hard-earued money in that way.
buying whisky that only men in comfort
able circumstances ought to buy. / adj
wise you to stop using liquor altogether.
but IL you must drink. then for heavens
sake buy a cheaper grade and use your
money for yourself and your family"
Again the claim agent looked at the old
clothes.
Sanborn said very humbIy: I'm very
much obliged to you. mister, for your adj
vice to an old farmer. 1 will think it
over. But and here he rose and tower
ed over the man. ''hew long has it been
since the Grand Trunk has been sending
blasted little runts around delivering tenn
perance lectures to the patrons of the
road?
The station agent grabbed the stranger
by the arm at this juncture and whisper
ed fiercely in his ear. The man dropped
papers, pencil, and all on the floor and
stared at Sanborn.
WHAT" he repeated. "the Boston"
He turned around and faced the other
way.
'.The kick about the whisky has been
fixed" said he, but you've got more
kicks coming to you, Mr.. Sanborn-'
But Sanborn closed that incident with a
laugh that shook the building.