The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-06-30

ne Ielt guilty, u eaSed his conscience
BY telling himself repeatedly that It
was a public session and he had 4
perfect right-indeed, 1t was his duty
ITO be there. Too few citizens In
terest themselves In their governments.
The debate was hot. The states
funds were running low and some
means were being sought to replenish
the Golfers: and some happy married
legislator had hit upon the plan Of
plncing a tax on bachelors.
"Huh!" growled Alex, when he
learned the cause Of the debate.
That's, a fine idea! Make a fellow
pay for being single. What If he
can't find a wife-like me? What
they ought to do is tax the girls who
turn down men who want to be their
husbands"
The negative side Of the argument
Was getting the best Of 1t. It hap
pened there were q number Of bache-
lors who held seats in the house,
and they arose to air their grievances
over such ar unjust, discriminating,
Notwithstanding law. AS the speak
ing went on 1t became apparent the
assemblage was waiting to hear from
the feminine member, and finally she
rose to her feet. r.
"Mr. Speaker. and my worthy
colleagues" she said. ut is my opinion
that q tax on bachelors is the proper
method to raise funds needed by the
state. Not only does the common
wealth require more money, but Ii
needs more marriages. A tax ON bach
elors would make some Of the old
grouches get out and let a little sun
shine into their lives by the marriage
license route. Such a tax would
prompt many to marry, and it would
help to make brave a large number
who wish to wed but haven't the u
age to ask. I have In mind the case
Of q young lady who loved a man for
four years and waited patiently for
him to propose to her. But he was a
business man. and he kept so busy
chasing the dollars that he didn't have
time. II the inclination, or the q
age to ask her to be his wife. II he
loved her he never showed 1t. Prob
ably he had the old fogy idea that he
must wait until he had crowned him
self with q bale Of dollar signs before
he made overtures to her. What he
needed vas a tax or bachelors. That
would have appealed to his business
sense, and no doubt the couple would
be happily married by this time. 1 am
heartily in favor Of the tax on bache-
lors and will cast my vote for the BILL"
The speech seemed to clinch the
matter, for. the vote was taken and
the house expressed itself in favor Of
the proposal. Immediately afterward
the body adjourned for the day.
Alex found Cora In her hotel. He
sent up his card and she received him
on the mezzanine door.
"Well, I e you've decided to make
us poor fellows pay for living alone"
he observed after they had shaken
hands.
I'VE certainly have" she said warm
". TITS now up to the senate, Of
course, but it's coming all right"
II happened to hear your address
this afternoon" he went on, land that
part Of 1t having to do with a fel-
lows courage struck me as being pc
culiarly fitted to my case. So L came
right here to ask You in plain, IN
vanished words whether you'd be will.
ing to give up this career Idea and
save me from paying a bachelors
tax
"You heard me" she exclaimed, ap-
parently startled. swell, now, Alex,
I rather like this career idea, and
really I can't think Of giving 1t up" .
Alexis heart, which had been thump-
ing violently, seemed to stop.
But" the lady representative con-
tinued, Il see no reason why I should
not also save you from the bachelors
tax IL you wish It."
To herself she added: ESPECIALLY
since. I made that speech for your es-
pecial benefit today, having seen you
in the gallery"
Whatever Alexis shortcomings, it
could not be said he eyer failed to
embrace an opportunity, and as the
mezzanine floor was all but deserted
he lost little time in embracing this