Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-05-06
THE SORROW
THAT MENACED
DIAMONDVILLE

The council of the little town of Dia-
mDndville was in session
Diamondville was peculiar in one re-
spect-it was composed exclusively
either of millionaires or of those who
were independently well off.
Suddenly there was a sensation. The
door opened and man came in. His
name was Jeplet, and he was the only
poor man in town.
There was an awkward pause. The
mayor twitched nervously in his seat.
The town clerk-who owned three
railroads-looked anxiously toward
the newcomer. Everybody was I'M
easy.
Well Mr. Jeplet," said the mayor,
what can we do for you? / hope that
you had a pleasant Christmas. l I'M
derstand that your children Jared pref
~ well?"
Jeplet himself was plainly uneasy.
Yes he said, thank you. All went
we'll. Nevertheless, l am determined
TO leave you"
Every face in the room blanched.
Magnate Smith, one of the leading
men of the place, and noted through
out the nation for his philanthropy,
sprang to his feet.
Can it be possible, Jeplet," he ex-
claimed, that you are going to treat
US with such ingratitude?"
Sorry, sir, but"
Magnate Smith fixed him with his
eye
Let us understand each other, Jep-
let" he said CAS- you know, you are
the only poor family in our pleasant
and attractive little borough For
years you have gone on having chill
dren with absolutely no means of sup
porting them. You have been depend
ent upon the charity of others, and you
have been practically the only means
by which we could display our own
charitable tendencies.
Our ladies have come to rely upon
you, Jeplet, to vent their higher i'm
pulses. When things were dull In the
Noman's club. and the Old Masters
bad been disposed of temporarily, or
The suffrage question lulled to sleep,
they have filled in the time by making
a personal visit to Mrs. Jeplet and
getting up subscriptions of old clothes
for your children. What would we
have done without you at Christmas,
Jeplet? Why, for some years now, as
1 gathered my boy around me, l have
been enabled to say to him:
Just think, Robert, of the poor liz.
tie Jeplet children who SILVER in their
miserable howell, while you are sur
rounded with luxury But how can
say that now, Jeplet, If you are going
away? You mustn't leave us in the
lurch like this
He sat down amid subdued applause
The mayor spoke.
Citizens" he said, we are indeed
confronted by a crisis in our affairs.
How can we go on enjoying ourselves
without some poor family to cater to?
And who can take the place of the
Jeplets? They We're so absolutely
worthless and offered so many outlets
for our activities that their loss will
be irreparable. Why, as look at Jep
let now my heart swells to think that
he is wearing my clothes. Jeplet, you
mustn't go! We cannot do without
you,"
Jeplet shifted uneasily
I'm awful sorry, your honor" he
said, but | don't see no way out of
It,"
is there anything that you need?"
asked the mayor, anything that any
of us may have forgotten? Haven't all
of our children visited you regularly?
Just mention anything that you may
want and | am sure"
A confused murmur of abject will
ingness on the part of every one was
now heard.
Jeplet, under this pressure, was
plainly uncomfortable He looked
around, and as he saw the anxious
faces tears filed his eyes
Well" he SAID at last, Il suppose if
you feel that way shall have to stay,
the summer"
Certainly not" said the mayor.
May we inquire where you are GO
lngf" .g4
Jeplet smiled family.
You see he answered, you have
been so good to me all these years
that am pretty well off myself, and
thought If you didn't mind I'd like to
get little vacation and take my fam
lily to Europe"
Relics Lost 70 Germany.