Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1881 — He Paid. [ARTICLE]

He Paid.

Wall lta*t D*Ut a*ta*. They sat on the steps of the Toombs. One was about 14 ana the other about 10 years old. They looked at each other in a solemn way for a minute, and then the big one said: “Feller told me last night that all walking-match bets was off on ’count of fraud.” “That’s too thin,” replied the little one. “We had a square bet, and you lost. I shall have to claim them 10 cents.” , „ “But we didu’t put up the money. “I know’ it. You trusted to my honor, and I trusted to yours. You knew you could lick me if I didn’t pay, and I knew you wouldn’t crawfish for 10 cents. Fork ’er over, Jim, and be a man.” “I dunno about that,’’ said Jim in a dubious voioe.

“Jim,” continued the little one, “yo ain’t always goin’ to black butes. Five years from now you may be keepin’ a saloon. Then you want my custom. Then you’ll wish you’d paid this bet.” I shan’t never keep a saloon.” “Then may be you’ll run a steamboat. Do you want me and all my friends to be down on your boat, and go around, saying as how her biler is old and liable to bust?” “I don’t like steamlioating.” “Then may be you’ll tend ferrygate. Would it be nice for me and the boys to hang around there and talk about certain dead-beats who ought not to be trusted in an official position? Why, it would run you out ID ft week*^ “I shall never ’tend ferry-gate; I’m goin’ to run for office.” “Sure?” “Yes, sure.” “Then Jim, don’t you wait a minit. Pay right up. I know vou can lick me and all that; but I tell you if you don’t pay I’ll pack the caucus on you, hire the papers to abuse you, and wind vou up so tight on your record that you’ll be laid out by 10,000 majority. Take your choice, Jim; paj’ that" 10 cents, and go to congress awhoopin’; or beat me out of it, and git laid out colder’n a wedge by the honest electors!” He paid.' - ' ' _