’Twas Ever Thus
Every time we see an article offered at an uncommonly low price—whether it be shoes, prunes, fountain pens, wood blocks, or a personal service of some kind—we are reminded of Chief Big Smoke.
The owner of this picturesque name was a copper-colored native employed as a missionary to his fellow smokes out in Oklahoma. A tourist once asked him what he did for a living.
“Umph!” said Big Smoke, “me preachum.”
“That so? What do you get for preaching?”
“Me get ten dollars a year.”
“Well,” commented the white man, “that’s d——n poor pay.”
“Umph!” replied Big Smoke, “me d——n poor preacher.”
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