The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-05
PIKE COUNTY DOINGs.
Abe Shorter Has Another Good Thing
on Hand.

ape shorter las AnoLn0r Good Tn1ng
on Hand.
Colonel Harper had been down to
the railroad depot to see about ship
ping some mules to ST. Louis. and was
on his way back to the Dostoffice when
Abe shorter suddenly appeared before
him and said:
Upon my word. Colonel Harper. but
I'm Glad to see yo' this mawnin'-
powerful glad. Just thinking about yo'
two minutes ago.
as he extended his hand.
I'm still alive, thank ye. AoWs
- Bout Be-, $3.50. Abe. No great fiutter
in the market
land con. Colonel?''
CONS a leetle stiffer-iest leetle."
at reckon nevis and con was all
right. but I didn't know. Colonel Har.
per. i've known yo' good many years.
Yes. Abe"
And in all those years nave never
asked lsa 20 to loan my any money
eff I had yo'd have accommodated
me, knowing that I'd have kept my
word about paying it back Now tnen'
"Scuse me. Abe" INTERRUPTED the
Colonel "but I'm powerful short this
mawnin'-powerfu short. Reckon l
won't have cent to carry home with
me-
but vo'-yo'-"
Couldn't do it. Abe-couldn't pos
sibly do it,
Colonel Harper" said Abe, as ne
drew himself up with great dignity.
.'yo' would take my word as a gentle
man, I reclxon?"
Yes. recokn I would"
"Then that's all right. That's what
| 1 was gettin at. If I wanted to Dor
row anv money of you. which don't,
yo'd take my word. wouldn't yo'?''
ooh. for shore-for shore. replied
the Colonel. evidently much relieved rel sos
row anv money and had any to lend
I should have confidence in yo'. Yo'
hain't looking any too peart TINS maWn-
in, Abe. Pike county hain't been
throwing yo' down agin, I hope?'
Didn't you hear what happened last
Tuesday night. Colonel?
mo. not a word. Was 1t mo- scan
dalizing?''
Pike county rose up agin me en- masse
and tried assassination for a change"
"Shoo-shoo! Did ever! Somebody
shot at yo'. eh?"
"They attempted to assassinate my
reputation. sub, which was wuss than
shooting at my body from behind a
stone wall. Yes sub, tried to do me
up for good and all, and they can't
see how l possibly stayed on top of the
ground. Yo' know about the Pike
County Literary club. of co'se"
Eyes, I reckon I've heard of it, though
as yo' know run mostly to con and
nevis "
''Well. I sent in my name to be bal
loted on for membership, and they
throwed me down-throwed me with
a crash. Out of fo'ty members present
thirty-nine black bal1ed me. How was
that for giving young man a show,
Colonal2''
sShoo. do declare"
THAT was spite work and jealousy,
Colonel-just spite work and jealousy
hlIf oh IN nf
read paper to the meeting-a paper
which he reckoned would bury my dead
! body ten feet below the soil. I wasn't
there. of co'se. but heard all about
it," -e4ss
Pitched right into yo', did hep"
asked the Colonel -ss
Couldn't be wuss. Colonel Harper.
yo' run to con and nevis and have a
/ heard of Plotinus?" nrf1a4 s,-- s=-
Seems like had. Reckon T heard
of him in Arkansas a few years ago.
Used to raise q power of hawgs. didn't
ha?''
''Skassly, CoIonel-skassIy Plotinus
was bon in Egypt in the year ,2o5, and
died in the year 270. That was about
twelve hundred years befo' Columbus
hawgs. but to philosophy, and was a
mighty smart chap. Colonel Harper,
was l bon in the year 205?''
| Reckon pot, Abe"
WAS BON in Egypt?'
Couldn't be-"
Have got any show over a man who
was bon IL hundred years befo' I wasp
] mot much. Abe
! But yo' follow me. Colonel Harper
yO' fO1ler me- continued Abe as he
waved his hands in the air "Majah
Rogers wouldn't allow these things, but
| went on to say that a certain young
man in this town, meaning me- could
| have been a second Plotinus If he mad
h0d hi nj