Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1918 — JOKE WAS ON SALOON MAN [ARTICLE]

JOKE WAS ON SALOON MAN

Wet Goode Dealer Found That Bundle He So Obligingly Kept for Customer Had Its Uses. Aren’t the master workmen of tbe wet goods establishments easy marks? That is -what the gentry who live by their wits are asking'each other. They know that, the proprietor of a wet goods establishment loses bis mental balance and is completely disarmed when he is invited to have a drink. Recently two husky-looking individuals entered a Forty-mscond street suds emporium. One of the party carried an enormous bundle, which he placed on the.top of the mahogany. The? both called for a drink. - “Well, it is hopeful that my wife will stop her nagging about the cold weather and being cold when I carry this home,” said fche man who carried the bundle. At the end of the bar stood the proprietor of the wet goods establishment He seemed curious, so the two men invited him to have a drink, which was accepted. One of them explained that he had the finest pair of wool blankets that was ever sheared from the backs of sheep in the package. “Feel for yourself,” he said, as he unfastened one end of the bundle, The proprietor felt and acknowledged that they were the simon pure wool article. “I’m taking them home to my wife,” said the owner. “She has been kicking about being cold.” Then they had another round of liquids. “Well, I must be on my way,” said the man, as he picked up the bundle. “Why don’t you leave them here until you start for home?” interposed his companion. “Good idea,” he said. And turning to the owner of the case he asked If he could leave the bundle. “Sure,” said the proprietor, “but you had better write your name on it to avoid any mistake.” Twelve o’clock came around and the man hadn’t called for his bundle. "I can see that fellow getting more h—l when he goes home tonight,” said the proprietor as he turned the key in the door. The next day the owner of the case was the first on the job. He took a survey of the wet goods and then went to the rear of the stop, where the safe was. Here was a Surprise for him. He found the door of his burglar-proof safe neatly reposing on the pair of downy blankets, which had been used to muffle the sound of the explosion.— New York Times.