Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1916 — PREPAREDNESS [ARTICLE]

PREPAREDNESS

(By Walt Mason.) “Some night,’’ I said, “I'll bet a leg, a yeggman will come here to yegg. The papers daily spring a tale of burglars who have swiped men’kale. I don’t propose to be despoiled of coin for which I’ve slaved and toiled, and I shall buy myself a tniu, and ammunition by the ton." I bought the weapon, and each night, while I was sleeping, snug and tight, it lay beneath my pillow slip, in easy reach for instant grip. One. night 1 heard a cautious tread somewhere adjacent to my bed. “At last,’’ I thought, “a burglar's come, ho will find his luck is bum.” Then dimly I beheld a shape. “My friend," I mused, “there’s no escape.' That shape I drew a bead upon, and fired, and then ray Uncle John sent up a yell that shook, the shack, for I had

plugged him in the back. Around his bed the -nurses sit, and ray he’s better now, a bit; the doctor’s exercised his skill--and I will have to foot the bill. Now I appeal to everyone, “Say, don’t you want a firstrate gun?”