Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1902 — Spirit of the Press. [ARTICLE]

Spirit of the Press.

Now as it is the time of the year the assessor is making his annual round a republication of a few of the items that have appeared in the colams of the local papers daring the past six months will be interesting. We refer to items similar to these: Oar highly esteemed and honored oitizen, Qeorge Neverpay, has purchased a fine Enabe piano. The instrument is of polished rosewood, elegantly finished, and cost |BOO. Q. K. Sellcash, the well-known merchant, has purchased a handsome new surrey at a cost of $450. P. P. Pollerticks, a popular public official, now proudly wears a SIOO gold watoh, recently presented him by his estimable wife. The popular saloon keeper, J. Jams Jimmies, recently refused $250 for his fine driving horse. All the above items sound very pretty; bat now we turn to the assessor’s list, and find the following. Qeorge Neverpay, one piano, SSO. G. K. Sellcash, one surrey, S3O. P. P. Pollerticks, one gold watch, $35. J. Jam Jimmies, one horse, $35. As the valuation given on the assessor’s list is sworn to by the parties named, the newspaper fellows must be magnificent liars, or the owners of the property are perjured liars.