Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1910 — A SURPRISE ALL AROUND. [ARTICLE]

A SURPRISE ALL AROUND.

Uhamp Clark, the brilliant Democratic leader, said at the New-\\ illiard in Washington apropos of a political argument: ' \\ell. if they try to put that theory in practice they will, be a- much surprised astlje Lad • b >nia farmer ’was. A tarmer out Laddonia wav drove to Bowling Green one aft crif hi. and bought himself a bdand-new outfit of clothing. On rhe’ return journey home, he halted his wagon on a bridge •ver a deep stream, he took off is old patched coat, doubled it up ami flung it in the stream.' Wont Emily be surprised.’ he said to himself. ‘Won’t she be took aback when she sees me -o spick and span?’ "He took off his waistcoat and sent it after his coat. Then he Hung his hat into the stream, then his shirt, then his shoes and '••cks, then his trousers. And so this disrobing act kept on until the farmer-—it was, of course, pitch dark by now-had nothing further to disrobe. ‘l’ll certainly surprise the wife,’ he said, "Then; shivering a little in the evening air, he reached down for the package of new clothes. It wasn’t under the seed bag. He hopped lightly to the back of the wagon and searched life floor on hands and knees. But the bundle wasn’t on the floor, either. For quite five minutes the farmer looked for it. And then, with a sigh, he took his old place again on the hard, cold seat and drove off homewarti through the darkness. It was a long ride and a chilly ride for the white, slim figure holding rhe reins, but it ended at last, and the farmer hopped from the wagon and dashed nimblv indoors, hoping to reach his room unnoticed. “But his wife, a lamp in her hands, came full upon him in the hall. The strange snowy apparition. moving so lightly, gave her a great shock. ' ‘Why, father!’ she said. "But the farmer, brushing her aside, sped upstairs three steps At a time.

‘I said I’d surprise ye,’ he shouted, grimly, ‘and, by gosh, I reckon I’ve done it!’ ”