Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1906-04-18
SHSSASASA
A LENTEN
SACRIFICE
By GEORGE BROOKS

w Ask me-" Mr.. Jhonnie Farley,
the night engineer of the state asylum,
took another long, lingering look in
the mirror and bestowed another low
ing pat on his new necktie.
His roommate, Jimmy Lawrence,
walked around critically and took an
other look at Mr.. ]. Farley's necktie.
You got 'em skinned to death, john"
said Mr.. Lawrence, with the air of one
having authority.
You're right" went on Mr.. ]. Farley.
You see, Jimmy, | couldn't afford to
blow in a lot of dough on a new Easter
suit like all the rest of these dudes
around here have done But, Jimmy,
l know lot about dressing, an know
that you can have a pretty bum suit,
but If you've got peachy necktie peo-
pie will jest keep their eyes on that an
won't notice the clothes. So l pixies
around town the other afternoon, and
picks out the smoothest thing in the
necktie line that there was. When peo-
pie get flash of this necktie of mine,
say, they won't think of anything else.
It'll kill 'em dead. Say, amt it a won
,der?"
Mr.. Lawrence allowed that it was, and
Mr.. Farley, after another look at the
necktie which was so gorgeous that it
would have made Joseph's coat of many
colors look like dish rag, was about to
take turn around the asylum grounds
before breakfast when Luke LAWN, the
electrician, entered.
Say, Jack" said Luke, "I'm up
against it."
''Why?" queried Mr. Lawrence, turn
ing so that the full broadside of his won
derful necktie was flashed all at once
upon the astonished gaze of the electri-
clan.
"Out of sight" said Mr.. LAWN. Looks
like peacock's tail"
Whats the trouble?" asked the
proud owner of the Easter necktie.
'I'll tell you," went on the electrician.
"'You ought to be interested, too You've
been making eyes at that little white
faced Thomas girl that's been here O
couple of weeks helping in the office.
You know the women attendants here
in the asylum always color a half
dozen eggs or so apiece every Easter
morning for our breakfast, and we fell
lers got up prize this time to go to the
one who colored the prettiest eggs
Well. all the women around here have
got it in for that Thomas girl, cause
she's new, reckon, and because we fell
lers all sort of like her better'n the rest
l wanted her to win the prize SOS she
could have something to feel proud over
and cheer her up, understand. But I
had flash at the eggs they've been a
'coloring, and, say, they're out of sight,
and I've been trying to find some stuff
of coloring that would be prettier than
everything else, but can't, and I'm I'D
against it. 1t wanted to take the cloth
over and give it to the Thomas girl so
she could take the prize But it's pretty
near breakfast time now, and I'll have
to quit"
The electrician and Jimmy went out
together and left Mr.. j. Farley alone.
still contemplating his necktie in the
mirror. For long time he stood as If
in great mental anguish, and then he sat
down in chair and for a time was ex-
ceedingly busy.
The breakfast table in the attendants,
room at the asylum that morning pre-
&ented gala appearance, with Easter
eggs Of every shade and hue. The prize
was about to be awarded when shy
little Miss Thomas brought in plate
of Easter eggs that fairly reveled in
beautiful colors, and called forth salvos
of applause. The judges without leav-
ing their seats awarded the prize to
Miss Thomas, who smiled with joy and
pride.
Them eggs are purifier than your
new necktie." said the electrician to
Mr.. ]. Farley. Say, where is that neck
tie? You got your old black one on. and
you were blowing so about your new
one. Them eggs look like-ouch. saw
what are you kicking me for?"
Miss Thomas looked a moment In
wondering surprise. Then her eyes
filled with tears, and she let her hand
just for moment rest on Mr.. ]. Farley's
coat sleeve.-Chicago Tribune.