The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-02-18

the wooden pitchfork pitched i,
out again all printed. After print
ing a few copies, Wa sent the devil
out to sell them. They went like
hot cakes and in five minutes he
was back for more. That morning
we printed over 200'and sold every
blessed one at % cents apiece.
Gee whillikens pop-gun! but we
were rich, or rather Bill was, he
got the mazuma. He must have had
over $50, but when asked him to
divide up, he closed his good eye
and said he couldn't see me.
Just then I happened to glance
through the window and there,
directly opposite with Big Tom in
the center, stood crowd of men
each one holding a copy of The
Screecher in his hand. Evidently
they were discussing some article
on the front page. "Somethin'
doin', somethin' doin'," said I turn
ing to Bill. ''No lie, no lie," an
swered Bill gazing out the window.
Through two knotholes Bill and
I watched, and presently Big Tom
sauntered across the street. Lem
me do the talking" said Bill just
as Big Tom entered. After seat
ing himself he began: Good AFTER
noon, gentlemen, good afternoon.
Thought I'd jest stop in an git
you ter explain somethin' bout
Their paper"
"Dee-e-lightedp' said Bill, la
Roosevelt, ''Dee-e-ighted! n othing
wrong with the paper, I hope?''
''Nope, continued Tom, "'Tain't
Their paper, it's ther news. You
see, Their boys can't zackly see how
Aberham Lincoln got 'lected pres
ident; Scarface Ike says he got
'sassinated thirty years ago.
"Oh," says Bill, "this is another
Abraham Lincoln; this fellow is
going to get assassinated next week.
Well tell you all about it in our
next edition"
ooh, that's it, is it," said the
giant, very much relieved. Il
lowed it couldn't be Their same
Lincoln. No, course it
couldn't; ecarface Ike must be
plum locoed!' Then he departed.
We watched him cross the street
and join the expectant crowd which
had multiplied tenfold. He started
to explain about Abraham Lincoln
No. 2, but was cut short by raw
boned COW puncher who insisted
on discussing another article. The
other article proved to be the story
about the confagration at the x
Bar ranch; we could see the scare
head from where we stood. Bill
looked at me and I looked at Bill.
Just then Big Tom again left the
crowd and, a minute or so later,
entered our Office.
"Say," he began rather grufly,
whats this bout the X-Bar ranch
burnin' down last night?''
"Oh," said Bill, didn't you hear
about that? Twas a horrible
thing-many lives lost burned to
the ground total loss-no. insur-
ance and"
81 know all bout that" inter-
rupted the giant; ''the paper tells
all that What the boys is wantin'
ter know is how it burned down
last night and is still standin' thar
today
"Why -ah-ah-er," stammered Bill,
"who tell says it's there today?'
"Jake Griggs says SO, answered
Big Tom; ''He's foreman out thar
an ought'er know; 'twasn't burned
when he left thar this mornin'."
Is-that-so?" said Bill, just
like that, "Is-that-so? Well, he'd
better get back there as soon as
so as to help put the fire
out, because if it didn't burn last
night it surely will tonight
Big Toms face was puzzle.
First he stared pityingly at Bill
and then at me; then silently with
drew and joined his companions.
Bill and I again took positions in
front Of our respective knotholes.
Judging by the ominous chances
being cast in our direction, trouble
was brewing. Bill began hum
ming, "We Shall Meet On That
Beautiful Shore" and I said
"Amen." I asked Bill if he knew
a good prayer. 81 used to know
one" said he. "hut I've fOrpOtten