DISCOURAGING THE TRUTH.
He had a stub of a pencil in one hand and a sheet o! paper in the other, and he walked up to a citizen who was about to go aboard a ferry boat and said : ’ I have a document here for you to sign.’ ‘But I never sign any petitions,’ was the Speedy reply. ‘This is no petition. This is an agree ment to the effect that none whose names are signed below will either swear while fishing or lie about the size or number of the fiah afterwards. Please write your name on the blue line there. ’
‘But I never go fishing.’ ‘Well, yon can’t tell when you may. Besides, I want the influence of yonr name.’ * I guess I won’t sign.’ * Let me hope that you will. Are yon not willing to eschew profanity for an hour or two once or twice a year ?’ ‘ I never swear anyhow ’
* But perhaps you lie ! If so I only aak you to tell the truth in just this one Instance.’
1 I’m In a hurry to catch this boat-’
‘Never mind the boat. Isn’t your soul of 'iagpre o-nsequeuca than a ferry-boat. Please algi>right there.’ ‘I won’t do It.’
‘You won’t, eh? You refuse to bind yourself not to rip and cuss and jaw and howl because you don’t get a bite. You refuse to enter into an engagement not to come home and lie like a trooper and lose your soul for the sake of making somebody believe you caught a bass weighing six pounds I That’s the kind of a Detroiter yon are, la it?* ‘l’ve a good mind to spoil your nose,' growled the passenger. ‘Of course you have. Just because I want to bind you not to lie and swear yen want nay heart’s blood. If I had asked you to agree not to cheat and steal and burn buildings you’d have wanted to out my throat. Go on, air ! Take your old ferry boat and go to Windsor with it!’ •I’ll see yon again!’ •That’s it—more threats. But yon have tackled tho wrong man, sir ! I’ll have an eye on you for the next ten years, and the first time I know of yonr going oat to fish I’ll follow you. Yes, slrj I’ll be on your track, and if yon utter one profane word or tall one single lie I’ll pat yon behind the cross-bars of the cooler. Go hence, marked mail*
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GLOBE18820817.2.24
Bibliographic details
Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2609, 17 August 1882, Page 4
Word Count
411DISCOURAGING THE TRUTH. Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2609, 17 August 1882, Page 4
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in