A dog-gone good story.
Martin Gardner, who works for the U.S. Department of Justice, gave several interesting talks in Nebraska City last week.
He's a good speaker and holds the attention of his audiences. He's also a good story teller. Here's one.
Johnny left the farm, boarded a train and went away to college, leaving behind faithful ole' Shep.
A few weeks later, he connived a scheme to "send money." He wrote Dad and asked for Shep, explaining that he missed the animal so much. Dad obliged and shipped the dog to the college.
Later he wrote Dad that he had met a man at the university who could teach Shep how to talk. It would cost $500. Dad obliged.
Johnny had a good thing going.
When the money supply was running short, he wrote Dad again, this time explaining that Shep could talk and for another $500 the man could teach the animal to read. Dad obliged.
One more time, Johnny thought, so he wrote Dad again. Shep could talk and read and for a final $500 the man would teach shep to write. Dad obliged.
Later, Dad wrote and asked for Johnny to come home. He was missed by the family and everyone was anxious to see Shep the Wonder Dog.
Johnny sat on the train, looked at Shep and a thousand worried thoughts crossed his mind. He didn't know how he was going to explain Shep and the money.
Suddenly, he got up, opened the window of the train and tossed the animal out the window and into a ravine.
As the train pulled into the station, Johnny looked out the window and saw a large crowd. Dad got on the train, welcomed his son home and asked: "Where's Shep? Everyone here is waiting to see him talk, read and write!"
Johnny pulled his father to the side and whispered, "Dad, I've got something to tell you. Shep isn't here."
"Whattya mean?" Dad shouted.
"Shh, Dad, I mean that Shep is gone. He's dead."
And then Johnny explained:
"You see, Dad, when we were on the train coming home Shep and I were talking. He was sitting there in the compartment reading and I was shaving. Shep asked about the crop prices at home, the rainfall, the spring field work and then asked, 'Say, does your Dad still mess around with the neighbor woman and meet her in the barn on Wednesday nights'?"
Dad exclaimed, "Are you sure Shep's dead?"
Small world
We stopped at a News-Press supplier's office near the west Omaha industrial area recently and before we left, we asked for a suggestion of where to go for a light noon meal.
"Oh, that's easy," our friend Bud Greenspan of Rosebud Graphics said. "Club 89 at 89th and H Streets."
We were enjoying a meal of noodles and beef (and looking at the picture over the bar) when the owner stopped at our table.
After the introductions, the owner questioned: "Nebraska City? That's where my wife's family lives."
Mrs. Dick Glasford is the former Carol Ransdell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ransdell of Nebraska City.
The Red Carpet
Verne Jones returned to Nebraska City from a visit to Mississippi. He was humble.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have hosted the Mississippi Garden Club at the Arbor Day Foundation awards banquet and accepted an invitation to visit with a number of the people in that state.
"It was real southern hospitality. They're just wonderful people and they made us feel so welcome."
The Mississippi people felt the same way about Mr. and Mrs. Jones and about Nebraska City. They look forward to future tree planting programs and want to include Nebraska City and the state.
Thank-you, doesn't seem big enough.
The football game
The only thing I liked about the Nebraska-Missouri game was the score. I had number 8.
The Elks manager
Congratulations to Dick Miyoshi who has taken over as manager of the Elks in Nebraska City. He succeeds Don O'Hara who resigned and for now will just take a couple weeks vacation.
Dick hold the lease on Steinhart Lodge and says he will continue the operation of The Lodge "at least until the lease expires," he said.
Well, now fellas. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of this.
How's about something for Kathy O'Hara who has worked side-by-side with husband, Don, in the Elks, and looks after the family and house.
And, how's about something for Rosemary Miyoshi who's always in the kitchen at Senior High and The Lodge and looks after a fine family and home.
The O'Haras and Miyoshis have a lot of friends and we wish both families much success.
Didya hear the one . . .
.about the farmers being interviewed by the city slickin' newsman?
"What would you do if you inherited $1 million tomorrow?"
"Well," said the first farmer, "I'd quit working and go fishing, take life easy and live off the income from my good fortune."
Bob Kreifels, the second farmer, thought awhile, then answered.
"I suppose I'd just keep on farming 'til my million was all gone."