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Show BARTENDER SIGHS, THEN HE LAUGHS What Would Happen If All "Kids" Weire LiKe George Washington ; "No Cherry Trees, No Cocktails." "Give me a Manhattan." The order came from a "drummer" in a downtown saloon this morning. The bartender paused a moment aa if he had something on his mind, sighed, then grinned. "Well, what's funny about that? Hon't you know how to make It?" inquired the thirsty person a little Impatiently. "Of course I know how -better'n anybody," any-body," was the quick response. "I was Just thinking what a close call you had." "How'g that?" asked the "drummer" as the man In the white, apron fumbled among the bottle. "IV you know what day this is?" "Certainly I do; It's Friday." "That ain't al!. This Is Washington's birthday. Just think what might have happened. Suppose Washington's old man hadn't said nothin' about his choppin' down that cherry tree and it had got to be a habit with him?" "Well. wh8t's the answer?" "Why. Just this. The cocktail was nearly near-ly finished now. "Every kid in school is told bv his teacher that he must he Just like Washington was. They can't all be daddies of their country, nor first In war and peace an' all that, but they must be ail good kids and never tell no lies and get themselves elected President if they's got the pull. Now just supposln" every kid thought it was a part of the game to cho down every cherry tree he could pipe?" The bartender lowered the spoon in the maraschino bottle and when he drew it out again ho put the finishing touches on the mixture in the glass. "Well, what then?" Insisted the patron. "You wouldn't have no cocktail, that s all. Fifteen cents, please." |