Holbrook argus., 1909-11-16

Your Joshing."
 glanced disconsolately at his favorite newspaper, and his heart was like lead within him.
 And even as he read a smile broke forth from the gloom that overshad- owed his face, and this smile was like unto the first faint flush of the waken- ing East, and he arose with gurgle- some glee as does one whose mind is relieved of mighty burden.
 And he communed with himself softly, saying: Politics! 'Tis pipe."
 And Billdad the son of Jimdad called his wife to his side, and he spake unto her, saying: Maud, the soft whiteness of thy cheek is fairer than the bloom that loves to finger on he lilies of the Nile! Thine eyes are win thieves, which by some sorcery have ta'en the light from yon poor, weeping star, and now that light must 'urk forever in those languorousiy limpid depths! Thy smile, o Maud, is like the scintillating sweetness of a summers sky!"
 And Maud, the wife of Billdad the son of Jimdad, made answer, and said: What talk have ye, Billdad? Quit 7our joshing, or I'll haste you with the broom. Got to go out again tonight, [ suppose. What is it this time? The -nner Circle of the Royal Sons of a arupp Gun? Oh is it the Ancient Or Ter of the Accidental Dollar Bill?"
 And Billdad the son of Jimdad an- swered and said: May, sweet wife of my weary heart, 'tis none of these. 'Tis politics that beckons me forth !nto the noisome night. Knowst thou lot that the two Great Parties will soon have to grapple in the final death struggle, and my uncertain vote still wavers in the winds of indecision? Therefore, this night, O wife of my weary heart, I go forth to join a gar rulous group of statisticians, astrolog- ists, soothsayers, and seers to the end that my eyes may clearly see the light and my vote may count upon the side of Right. Be thou of good cheer, be- wise men of Egypt and imbibe much wisdom. Wherefore, thou need'st not wait up for me, for politics is like unto an owl-train for lateness. and the soothsayers say not neither do they sooth until the world is in the dead of night!"
 And Billdad the son of Jimdad went forth to sit at the feet of the wise men of Egypt. And it came to pass that full soon his heaving bosom rested on the onyx trimmings of the bar, and his right foot was in tender touch with the brass rail at the base thereof.
 And a great joy shone forth from his eyes as he murmured: "Six beers what are you going to have?"
 And when the night was far spent Billdad the son of Jimdad drew zig zaggingly high unto his habitation and his knees were prone to wobble with much uncertainty of purpose.
 And Maud, the wife of Billdad the son of Jimdad, stood in the open door and she made scornful conjecture saying: Hal Ha, Thou did'st sit at the feet of the wise men of Egypt eh? Thou look'st the part, for, me thinks. the wise men Of Egypt used you for a door-mat. Thou did'st also imbibe wisdom-from a stein! Bah Billdad, Speak not to me of politics! Come, now, stand before me, Billdad and with straightforward voice say after me these words: simply stoof and heard those speakers shout!'
 And Billdad the son of Jimdad swayed gently to and fro in the ligh of the breaking morn, and he spake saying: "I shimply sh'ood an h'eI zoash sheekers spout"
 And of the fretful f1nssh of Billdaf the son of Jimdad let there be no crue chronicle made.
 Pebbeonthebeach.
 And it came to pass that a certain City Man looked upon the sun when il was red. and he communed with him