Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-12-22
HE WAS UNIQUE.
sTEMPEL'S WAY OF TELLING
THE TRUTH.

the very first, was absolutely unique
Tansy took all the credit for the discov-
cry, as he does for almost everything.
but he does not boast about 1t so much
now
Of course all the men in the Office saw
that SteTnpel was entirely out Of the
ordinary when he owned up to mis-
take in an entry that cost the firm over
500 to settle. Stempel was calling from
Tom PASSIONS order book to Dixie the
bill clerk, and he quoted two-inch Lyons
galloon at thr~e cents when it should
have been eight Pastor makes his
IS and SIS good deal alike anyway, but
he's too valuable man to fire and it
seemed as if somebody would have to
go Dixie thought it was his mistake
and was in a great furry about it. but
Stempel, when he looked over the hook
said at once that he had called it wrong
and went and told the whole works so.
Well. the old gentleman must have been
in good humor, for he only told Stem
pei to be more careful next time That
shows the sort of fellow Stempel was.
He had the popularity of being absO-
lutely truthful
There was one thing about Stempel
though. He wasn't extravagant with
the faculty Of speech. One Of those
never-say-nothing-t o-nobody sort of fel-
lows. Went about his business quietly
and soberly, never laughed or joled
much.
One time Dixie was telling a story
about an uncle of his who was a great
swimmer He said he swan Is miles
up the Mississippi river against the
strongest kind of current and towed q
log raft that had drifted away from its
moorings by a rope held in his teeth.
Dixie said his uncle did that 10 miles il
two hours, nineteen minutes and some
seconds, which he has forgotten.
Tansy had to drag Stempel into it. OF
course. He asked Stempel what he
thought of it. 1 guess he was trying to
make trouble. Stempel shook his head
and went on addressing envelopes.
But what do you think of it?' Tansy
persisted. Don't you think that was
pretty good sw;mming?''
WELL" said Stempel, slowly and so
berly, "I don't believe It. No, sir,
don't believe it. know what the Mis-
sissippi current is and I know what a
log raft is to tow. l doubt if a strong
swimmer could make Is miles in two
hours and 10 minutes without towing
anything. I don't want to be offensive
and it may be that Dixie was misin-
formed, but can't bring myself to be-
lieve that his uncle ever did such &
thing
Ofcourse thattickled Tansy. As said,
Tansy was always showing Stempel off
He made great pretense Of being
friendly with him, and Stempel didn't
see through him at first and talked to
him more freely than he did to any Of
the Others Tansy came to US and told
US what Stempel thought about this.
that and the other-what this fellow did
and what the other fellow said and. al
though we knew that Tansy had cork
screwed his opinions out Of him. we got
little sore all the same, because what
Stempel said about US, being the truth,
hit us hard occasionally.
One day Tansy told me that he had
asked Stempel what he thought OF me
and Stempel replied that he didn't care
to say.
Il asked him if that didn't mean that
he had not very favorable opinion Of
you," said Tansy, "and he said at last
that it did. He went on to say
told him that if he told me what
Stempel went on to say I'd punch his
head and that stopped him. I was hot.
though, and after I'd thought it over I
went to Stempel and told him that had
heard he hadn't high opinion of me.
did Tansy tell you that?" he asked.
He did, and before all the crowd. " I
replied. Nov it's up to you to explain.
did he tell you what else I said
what based my opinion on?'' he asked.
gently.
NO, he didn't" I said. q wouldn't
stand for it,
Then I'll tell you," said Stempel, and
he told me. 1t was pretty plain, straight
talk and I'm bound to say it was true.
think it did me good. Anyway. I took
it and Stempel and I are good friends
now
But it didn't end there. I told Wilson
and Dixie about it and the next morn
ing when we were all together Dixie
turned suddenly to Stempel and asked
him what he thought Of Tansy.
Tansy grinned. He thought he was
going to get a few boquets.
I'D prefer not to say" said Stempel.
We all shouted. Wilson said: you
know what Stempe1 means when he says
that, Tansy."
1t didn't Tease Herbert, though. He
was cocksure that ne stood ace high.
Tell 'em what you think OF me, old
man. he said to Stempel I'D like to
know myself
Il don't think you would. said Stem
pei.
I'm not bashful, old fellow; 20
ahead,' said Tansy.
IF you insist on it I'll tell you said
Stempel, who was rather pale TN
sorry to say that consider you dishon-
orable, inasmuch as you have betrayed
my confidence in you, and insincere, in
asmuch as you have professed friend
ship for me to my face and make fun OF
me to others. don't consider you de-
cent. If it's the plain truth you want.
there you have it,
Short and sweet, wasn't it7 1t ought
to have done Tansy good if it DIDN'T
Chicago Record-Herald.
Tempered with Mercy.
Niobrary Jake (leader of vigilantes)
-Crea cnr pntn vpT, N o7-r7oT-xv e-r,o,1-;-,.