The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-11-24

THE COLONEL.
art of entertaining callers. But here
comes Colonel Starbuck Perhaps ] can
get him to introduce me. How are you.
colonel? A trifie late in keeping Your
appointment. aren't YOU"
"Why. how dye do, major exclaim-
ed Colonel Starbuck cordially. Il an
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 nv interests in the Argus. taking
possession at once. and | 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? Hc"e.
! let me remove it. 'Turnips For Sale.
| eli? | surely hope that miserable nj
| tempt at wit was not placed on your
back by any one connected with this
establishment"
Il am afraid it was. colonel. was
| the calm reply You see the boys mis-
took me for one of your rural subsci'ilr
ers. and they have been having some
amusement at my expense. But | SEE
they are pretty well worked up over it.
SO perhaps we had better finish our il
terview in your private office and give
our humorous friends chance to think
the matter over quietly by themselves
| Half an hour later when the new
proprietor of the Argus emerged from
| the inner sanctum he found rather
solemn looking crowd awaiting his ap
pearance. and Barney Blake's erSt
while smiling countenance was th,
most sepulchrally solemn of them a.
as he stepped forward and gravely
handed him q folded document.
Opening it. Mr. Hayden read as foi
lows:
| Major Hayden:
it is now your turn. AS the future pro
| prietor of the Daily Argus you doubles
| will not care to retain in your employ t.
| staff of long cared. uninitigated donkey
now connected with the paper. and "
herewith hand YOU our designations. L
take effect Immediately, together with a.
apologies for the objectionable treatmep
received by YOU at our hands this aftcl
noon.
This note was signed by Managil;
Editor Blake and the other member
of the Argus staff, and below the ST.
natures was the following postscript:
P S-The boys were bound to share tn
blame equally with myself and hand j.
their designations with mine, but as | an
the head of the Office and the others too
their cue from mo l feel that ! alon
should shoulder the responsibility 70
what occurred, and as an act OF JHstlc
to nv fellow employees 1 ask that N
resigna ton alone be accepted and that II
one else shall be made to suffer for ~
fault The rest of the boys are prett
good lot. They will serve you faithful
and redeem themselves in your eyes,
am sure if you will give them chancs
Yours respectfully,
BARNEY BLAKE.
"Resignations declined with thanks
You are all going to stick right to you
, jobs until | tell you different. III
nounced Major Hayden bluntly as b
finished reading the above commune
ton and, tearing it into strips, droppe
1t into the wastebasket. You've ha
your lesson. boys. and l guess Their
isn't much danger of any more sue
, exhibitions as we have had here thi
afternoon. I'm willing to try you an!
how.
But I'm glad you added that pos
, script, Mr. Blake" he concluded. react
: ing ever and giving Barney's hand
hearty shake 1T has manly ring
It, and reckon We'll get along t.
| gether all right"