Ripley County democrat., 1918-05-03
BILL BRADSHAW BUYS
THIRD LIBERTY BONDS
By ANNA STOKES.

not wealthy, Just an ordinary country
town. but with lots Of patriotism,
which bubbled forth with energy at
the approaching sale Of Liberty Bonds.
which marked the entrance Of the
United States into the world war.
Bill Bradshaw looked at ali the
preparations with smile. He did
not intend to buy Liberty Bonds. That
$4,000 lying SO snugly in the bank
should not be disturbed. He guessed
he was loyal enough without buying
bonds.
lust before the sale Of bonds for the
Third Liberty Loan started Miss Ames
the compositor in the little country
print shop. said to Bill, They'll make
you buy some bonds this time. won't
they. Billfg -
mot me; won't invest q dollar"
"Bet you 50 that you buy at least
one bond before this sale is over" said
the editor, rubbing grimy finger 70
flectively over his long nose,
"Take the bet!" snapped BIZ.
Bill left the office. and Mr.. Rich. the
editor, got in communication with Nc
Namara, the head Of the selling com
mittce. AS they talked low. the young
lady In the bank could not hear the
conversation.
A week after the campaign opened
Bill Bradshaw had bought no honda
II was well on into the third weel'
when Mr.. Rich met Mr.. McNamara
coming to his office.
"Hello, Mac! Any news from friend
Billr 10 f"9
Eyes and NO, Fact IL I called on
him last night and told him un
dsrstood that he had repeatedly re
fused to buy bonds. Now ! was re
quired by the government to I'LL out
this card. Then l pulled my yellow
card on him and began to ask ques
TONS"
McNamara paused. Rich waited
then asked: what then?" 4"
His wife said: Bill. you'd bettel
buy bonds than to let that 80 to the
government" y = 'F
did hef" asked Rich.
"No, not then, but he asked me moi
70 send the card until tonight. which
Of course. agreed to. think hs'1
see the light Y
Mcnamara went down the street
/ while Rich went into his office with |
smile on. Late that afternoon. a
Rich went by the bank to the post
office, Mr.. Mcnamara called him tn
"Bill bought q thousand dollars
worth Of bonds" hs said with . broas
grin. , N
/, Scared, was hsf. asked Rich
"Pretty badly ratified"
It was fully two weeks before Brad
shaw called at the Criterion office
and when he did he walked up to tn
desk and, laying down 81, said:
Il am q man Of my word. I bough
bonds. for considered them a''goo'
Investment. One does not lose, any
thing by such an investment, and h
has the Satisfaction o. helping hi
government" f
This was said in q very patrioti
way. but Miss Ames, who was shar
Of tongue and not at all particgia
shout peoples feelings, said: "Bil
Bradshaw, bet they pulled q yello,
card on you" 05
Il don't know what color the pesk
thing was" admitted Bill. "But
one OF them cards would 20 to Uncl
Sam. with them questions filled on
like Mac wanted to. I'd b arrested 10
/ pro-German. The whole trouble |
Mac knows to cent just how muc
money have, and there's no gettli
round it, i
Bill remained and was, unmercifull
roasted by the sharp-tongued youn
woman. but for all that Bill Bradsha'
was the only man In Cedarville VIII
had a yellow card pulled on him.
After he left Miss ,Ames turne
upon her boss. as
"Mr. Rich. did yop tell McNamar
to 90 after Bradshaw
mo: | told Mcnamara what he sal
about not buying bonds. and that
had q bet with him on the result. b.
no stakes were, up-it was Just We
bal sbet--but d yellow card woul
bring him quicker than anything, y
| And 80 It came about that Bi
Bradshaw displays IN his window
Flag 'of Honor. and tells all III
nsighhors what q, good investment b