Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-08-01


Racked by these worries he had en-
tered his Office only 10 be confronted
by Sampson who demanded money
and declared he would stop work"
IL he didn't get IL.
This was the last straw The
Colonels patience gave way and hot
words were passed between him and
his printer. And then-well, he
struck Sampson with his cane, and
Sampson hit him with a chair, and
threw him into one corner, and
shook a fist in his face and vowed
revenge, r-r-revenge! After that,
Sampson went away in high dudgeon
and the Colonel picked himself up,
limped 10 his Office chair and sat
there for a long time. bitterly re-
fleeing. The sun went down. the
shadows of evening fell and still the
Colonels acute mind had found no
loophole for escape from his present
! difficulties.
IL was at this juncture that four
gentlemen from Harmony. all OF
serious aspect and wearing black
SLOUGH hats. assembled the unsteady
stairs that led TO the Office of the
/ Blizzard. And one was very tall, and
one had a glass eve, and the third
stumped through life on a wooden
pin, and the fourth carried an empty
sleeve. Business called them TO Con-
cord and ill-fortune had prepared
the Colonel 20 greet them in recep-
tive mood.
The committee ~ WAYS and means
dark ways and questionable means
came at night as befitted doors Of
ignoble deeds. Their two-seated car
riage and team were left al the edge
of town and they were unseen by
any save Sampson. He still had n
key 20 the workroom and as thew
entered by the front he entered at
the rear.
Col. Keever cherished no ill-feel-
ings and he greeted his callers cor
daily and humorously. Should he
put their names down for a years
subscription 20 his invaluable paper.
two dollars a year. in advance.
No; the four gentlemen from Har-
mony had not called for any such
purpose.
Indeed! While his four callers
were unfortunate, in so far as they
resided in a town with such a poor
outlook as Harmony. yet lack Of
taste was not a crime. and Col.
keever was glad 20 extend the right
hand OF fellowship 10 Col. Dngle.
Maj. Harp, Capt. Blue and Mr..
Boomer.
Col. Dingle, Maj. Harp. Capt. Blue
and Mr.. Boomer gratefully acknowl-
edged Col. Keever's amicable senti-
ments and begged 20 assure him OF
their own. coupled with a slight Of
fering in the way Of liquid refresh
ments.
This preliminary matter arranged
TO the voluble satisfaction OF all
parties, Col. Dingle asked 20 know
If they were alone
Col. Keever told him that they
could not be more utterly alone If
they were set down on the broad
bosom Of the Sahara with nothing
10 drink
Then they all laughed and clapped
Keeyer on the back and seemed TO
think IL an excellent joke, and Col.
Keever became bland and facetious
and informed them again Of his ever
lasting regard.
After this, Mr. Boomer went 70
the door and looked ont on the land
ing and down the stairs and came
back seemingly satisfied.
"All clear, Colonel" he said. and
Col Dingle hitched his chair into
proximity to Col.
keeyer's.
Colonel" he observed, carefully.
Concord is the county seat of Good
will county"
Col Keeyer replied that he had no
reason TO dispute his honorable
friends statement. He concurred in
L fully.
Colonel" went on Dingle. liar
nony would like 70 have the county
seat"
Keever averred loudly, in answer
20 this remark, that Col Dingle was
/ truthful man and man of I'M
doubted ability. They had had their
title differences, Of course, yet Col. (
ieever knew how 10 grant honor !
where honor was due. When IL
aimed. Col. Dingle knew where to 60
o keep ont Of the wet.
Dingle laughed. his natural eve
Flowed, and he nudged Keever with !
is elbow. The other three gentle
men Joined in the merriment, liquid ,
was again beautifully ,
administered and the good feeling ,
prevailed 10 an extent that was al ,
most morbid.
Dingle hung languishingly on :
iecver's shoulder while the three
'thers huddled about. anxious 10 ,
augh at any joke however old. and I
ilently imploring an opportunity 90
Xpress their unbounded affection ,
or everybody
~ special election has been called
or the purpose Of shifting the coun- ]
v seat from Concord 10 Harmony" ,
Jiuple resumed "au nd a ttyo-thirdg