Part 21 (2/2)
”What for?”
”To keep the flies out.”
”Why should I keep der flies oudt? Flies like some shance to go aroundt und see der city de same ash agents. If a fly ish kept out on der street all der time he might ash vh.e.l.l be a horse.”
”Yes, but they are a great nuisance. I'll put you up a screen door there for three dollars.”
”Not any for me. If a fly vhants to come in here, und he behaves himself in a respectable manner, I have notings to say. If he don't behave, I bounce him oudt pooty queek, und don't he forget her!”
”Well, try this fly-paper. Every sheet will catch five hundred flies.”
”Who vhants to catch 'em?”
”I do--you--everybody.”
”I don't see it like dot. If I put dot fly-paper on der counter somebody comes along und wipes his nose mit it, or somebody leans his elbow on her und vhalks off mit him. It would be shust like my boy Shake to come in und lick all der mola.s.ses off, to play a shoke on his fadder.”
”Say, I'll put down a sheet, and if it doesn't catch twenty flies in five minutes I'll say no more.”
”If you catch twenty flies I have to pry 'em loose mit a stick und let 'em go, und dot vhas too much work. No, my agent friendt; flies must have a shance to get along und take some comfort. I vhas poor once myself, und I know all about it.”
”I'll give you seven sheets for ten cents.”
”Oxactly, but I won't do it. It looks to me like shmall beesness for a big agent like you to go around mit some confidence games to shwindle flies. A fly vhas born to be a fly, und to come into my shtore ash often ash he likes. When he comes I shall treat him like a shentleman. I gif him a fair show. I don't keep an axe to knock him in der headt, und I don't put some mola.s.ses all oafer a sheet of paper und coax him to come und be all stuck up mit his feet till he can't fly away. You can pa.s.s along--I'm no such person like dot.”
ANSWERED PRAYERS.
BY ELLA WHEELER WILc.o.x.
I prayed for riches, and achieved success,-- All that I touched turned into gold. Alas!
My cares were greater, and my peace was less When that wish came to pa.s.s.
I prayed for glory; and I heard my name Sung by sweet children and by h.o.a.ry men.
But ah! the hurts, the hurts that come with fame!
I was not happy then.
I prayed for love, and had my soul's desire; Through quivering heart and body and through brain There swept the flame of its devouring fire; And there the scars remain.
I prayed for a contented mind. At length Great light upon my darkened spirit burst.
Great peace fell on me, also, and great strength.
Oh! had that prayer been first!
G.o.d IN THE AMERICAN CONSt.i.tUTION.
BY T. DE WITT TALMAGE.
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