Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1894 — His Use of Words. [ARTICLE]

His Use of Words.

The old man adjusted his glasses and Icoked at the pale-faced clerk. “Absent yesterday,” he said, shortly. “Yes, sir,” replied the clerk. “Absent from sickness?” “No, sir.” “Oho! you're honest, anyway. Most itnen would say they were. ” “I haven’t been absent from sickness for nearly a year. ’’ “You haven’t?” The old man looked surprised. “No, sir. It has been right with me all the time.” “What has?” “Sickness of some sort ”, “But you said that yesterday “Yesterday I was abent on account of sickness, sir.” The old man thought the matter over for a minute or two, and then he said: “Yes, yes; I see! You’re rather particular in your use of words. ” “Yes, sir. Study to use them correctly. ” “Of course; and I’m a trifle careless. Now, please see if this sentence is correct ‘Hereafter you will be absent from my displeasure.’” “Ye-es, sir.” “You will also be absent on account of my displeasure.” “Ye-es, sir.” “Add because of my displeasure.” “Ye-es, sit” “Quite right I am glad that I havesufflclent command of language to make you understand me. Goodday!”