The Monticellonian., 1906-04-12
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"A LENTEN SACRIFICE
N ILL l knock em cold, will I? w Ask mo Mir Ihapnio L-orIa,,
By GEORGE BROOKS


 w Ask me. MT Jhonnie Farley, the night engineer of the state asylum, took another long, lingering look in the mirror and bestowed another loy- ing pat on his new necktie.
 His roommate, Timmy Lawrence. walked around critically and took an other look at MT. J. Farley's necktie You got 'em skinned to death, John" said Mr Lawrence, with the air of one having authority
 You're rieht" went on Mfr J. Farley You see. Timmy. couldn't afford 10 blow in lot of dough on new Easter suit like all the rest of these dudes around here have done. But. Timmv know let about dressing, an know that you can haze pretty bum suit but 1s you've got peaehy necktie peo- pie will jest keep their eyes on that an ont notice the clothes So I bikes 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'Il kill 'em dead. Say, ain't it a won der2"
 Mir. Lawrence allowed that it was, and Mir. Farley, after another look at the necktie which was so gorgeous that 1t 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 Layin. the electrician, entered,
 Say, Jack said Luke, I'm up against It."
 "Why2' queried Mir Lawrence, turn ing so that the full broadside of his won derfnl neclltie was flashed all at once upon the astonished gaza of the eleetri- cian
 "Out of sight, said Mir Layin Looks like a peacocl's tail"
 What's the trouble?9 asked the proud owner of the Easter necktie
 "I1l 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 been here a couple of weeks helping in the office You know the women attendants here in the asylum always color half dozen eggs or so apiece every Easter morning for our breakfast, and we fel- 1ers got ap prize this time to go to the one who colored the prettest eggs. Well, all the women around here have got it in for that Thomas girl, cause she's new, l reckon. and because we fel- olI nF -o bar hot l.. wanted her to win the prize sos she could have something to feel proud over and cheer her up, understand. But I had a flash at the eggs they've been a colorinE. and, say, they're out of sight. and I've been trying to find some stuff of colorng that would be prettier than everything else, but can't. and I'm up against it. It wanted to take the cloth over &na 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 Timmy went out together and left Mir. J, Farley alone still contemplating his necktie in the mirror For a long time he stood as if in great mental anguish, and then he sat down in a chair and for time was ex- eeedingly busy.
 The breakfast table in the attendants room at the asylum that morning pre- sented gala appearance, with Easter egrs 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 leay- ing their seats awarded the prize to Miss Thomas, who smiled with joy and pride.
 Them eggs are purifier than youl new necktie," said the electrician tc MT J. 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-oueh, say what are you kicking me fOr?"
 Miss Thomas looked moment ir wondering surprise. Then her eyes filled with tears. and she let her hand just for a moment rest on MT J. Farley's coat sleeve-Chicago Tribune.