Show THE OATH OF OFFICE S One of the Clauses Was Too Much For S the Humorist The edltorinchleX of the Daily Howler having enlisted for three years for the war he was succeeded by an elderly gent with a wooden leg and a sinister countenance count-enance who was reorganizing the force or rather putting into shape pieces of the editorial crazy quilt set before him And what are your < duties he said to a young and gauntlooking fellow with a gray eye of glass I havent been assigned yet sir he replied but I expected to do tho funny business sir The Howler has always had a reputation In that line and It would be a pity to lose It when talent Is waiting sir to maintain it And the gaunt man tried to puff his chest out and look like a pouter pigeon with a palpltator on Huh grunted the new editor funnyman funny-man eh Write jokes and verses and things like that eh Current humorist eh Well sir are you prepared to take an oath before going in work What is it may I ask hesitated the humorist who would have taken a dose of medicine before losing his job Hold up your hand commanded the censor Will you solemnly swear that you will not during the prevalence of hostilities between the government of the United States on one side and the government gov-ernment of Spain on the other refer In anything an alleged humorous character char-acter you may write to a Spanish mackerel Swear The aspiring humorist choked once or twice and swore Nor to Spanish fljZ But they are bound td fly pleaded the humorist > Leave thatto the news editor Will you swear I swear S S Nor to Spanish onions But It Is gardening time Leave that to the hired man Will you swear I swear Nor to anybody walking Spanish Swear Damn exclaimed the humorist Sir said the editor with a look of horror You said swear and Im swearing expained the humorist And what Is more Ill swear I wont work for no such editor You must thlnk a man can be funny In time of war on hay No sir I cant do eooa work If I am not allowed lowed the proper tools and sir youve taken away the humorists best implements Imple-ments and I must tell you to go to thunder and bid you good morning |