Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-11-28

THE COLONEL.
art of entertaining callers. But here
comes Colonel Starbuck. Perhaps l can
get him to introduce me. How are you,
colonel? A trife late in keeping your
appointment, aren't you?"
"Why how dye do, major?" exclaim-
ed Colonel Starbuck cordially. 81 am
sorry I've kept you waiting, but it has
given you a chance to learn something
about the Argus establishment and the
staff"
eyes, it has," interposed the caller
dryly.
"Pretty bright looking crowd, major,
aren't they? Boys, this is Major Hay
den, the former owner and editor of
the Centerville Courier. He has bought
out my interests in the Argus, taking
possession at once, and 1 trust the new
relationship between you as employer
| and
Hello! What has been going on
here? What is that sign you are carry
ing around on your back, major? Here,
let me remove it. 'Turnips For Sale
SA L oulCly 1OpC luuL HlScIdDl0 ul-
tempt at wit was not placed on your
back by any one connected with this
| establishment"
II am afraid it was, colonel was
the calm reply. you see, the boys mis-
took me for n Of your rural subscrib-
ers, and they have been having some
amusement at my expense. But l see
they are pretty we'll worked up over it.,
so perhaps we had better finish our in
teryiew in your private Office and give
our humorous friends a chance to think
the matter yer quietly by themselves"
Half an hour later when the new
proprietor of the Argus emerged from
the inner sanctum he found a rather
solemn looking crowd awaiting his ap-
pearance, and Barney Blake's erst-
while smiling countenance was the
most s%epulchrally solemn Of them all
as he stepped forward and gravely
handed him a folded document.
Opening it. Mr.. Hayden read as fol-
lows:
Major Hayden:
Dear Strive have had our innings, and
1t is now your turn. AS the future pro-
prietor Of the Daily Argus you doubtless
will not care to retain in your employ the
staff of long cared, unmitigated donkeys
now connected with the paper, and we
herewith hand you our designations, to
take effect Immediately, together with our
apologies for the objectionable treatment
received by you at our hands this after
noon.
This note was signed by Managing
Editor Blake and the other members
Of the Argus staff, and below the sig
natures was the following postscript:
F. S.-The boys were bound to share the
blame equally with myself and hand in
their designations with mine, but as I am
the head Of the Office and the others took
their cue from me / feel that I alone
should shoulder the responsibility for
what occurred. and as al act of justice
to my fellow employees I ask that my
~esfgnatio alone be accepted and that no
one else shall be made to suffer for my
fault. The rest of the BOYS are a pretty
good lot. They will serve you faithfully
and redeem themselves in your eyes, I
am sure, If you will give them a chance.
Yours respectfully,
BARNEY BLAKE.
designations declined with thanks!
You are all going to stick right to your
jobs until tell you different" an
nounced Major Hayden bluntly as he
finished reading the above communica-
ton and, tearing it into strips, dropped
1t into the wastebasket. you've had
your lesson. boys. and j guess there
isn't much danger of any more such
exhibitions as we have had here this
afternoon. I'm willing to try you any
how.
But I'm glad you added that post
script. MI. Blake" he concluded, reach
Ing over and giving Barney's hand a
hearty shake. 1T has a manly ring to
It. and reckon we'll get along to-
yether all right" iii
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