The Mankato free press., 1904-02-05
STORIES AS THEY ARE TOLD.

1t is said that G. Wash. Neff, that
mild hammered and debonair editor of The
Lake Crystal Union, has, for the past
few days, been keeping his handsome
and classic face wrapped in bandages. A
dog "a poor, innocent canine-is the
cause of the genial colonel's facial dis
fgurement. 1t seems, so report goes,
that G.. Wash. purchased dog that was
to be the family pet, and proud was the
scribe when he walked homeward with
the "purp" following at the end of a rope
attached to its collar in order to pre-
vent Fido from playing with low down
common trash enroute. Down the street
the colonel joyfully wended his way,
whistling merry tune which went
something like this: "ThereIl Be Time
Some Day When Delinquent Subscribers
Can't Make Quick Get Away" The
dog stood for the whistling all right,
but when it suddenly espied something
in the roadway it dashed quickly be-
tween the editors legs, circled to the left,
whirled around like a merry GO round,
and before the colonel was aware of
what was doing his propellers became
entangled in ball of yarn. He was
thrown to the sidewalk with dull,
sickening thud that aroused the entire
community, the dog meantime making
desperate effort to get away. The ca
nine played sad havoc with Neff's face,
tore his broadcloth suit-the only kind
newspaper men are known to wear-and
then went after him like the left tackle
chases an opponent in football game.
There was mixture of garments, dog tail,
rope, and the air within close, proxim-
ity to the colonel was a rich, dark blue.
He was not saying his prayers by any
manner of means. To make matters
worse the dog howled like all possessed
as he leaped about the almost dead and
down newspaper man. Finally Neff man
aged to cut himself loose from the tie
that bound him, and regaining his feet
he once more struck out for home. My!
but he was a sight. When within a
short distance of his domicile a pretty
school teacher they have none other in
Lake Crystal-espied the doughty war
rior-and she tried so hard to repress
her laughter; but it was no use, and she
simply went into Mysteries. Now, if
there is anything that will make gal
liant gentleman like the colonel mad, it
is to be found in an awkward predica-
ment by sweet and winsome girl. It is
reported that the colonel said some very
naughty words-under his breath-and
when an excellent opportunity present
ed itself he gave the dog kick that
sent it bowling into the woodshed. The
colonel managed to make an entire into
the house without attracting a great
deal of attention and when he appeared
later for supper he had donned another
suit of the latest cut, but the scars of
the recent encounter were still visible on
his usually placid and serene counte-
nance. The dog has been doing penance
ever since. Colonel, you have the sym
pathy of host of friends in Mankato
and the newspaper fraternity in general
Since the conductors on the Chicago &
North Western road have donned gold
stripes indicating the number of years
they have been in the company's service
they have been forced to answer any
number of questions put to them by in
quisitive passengers as to the why's and
wherefores of the golden adornments
People from the country side have been
known to drive to the stations just to
take look at the ticket-punchers with
their new braids. The other day one
of the best looking conductors on the
road was walking through his train
when gentleman with long whiskers
stopped him and inquired what the
stripes represented each stripe indi-