The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-20
THE SHOE ON THE RIGHT FOOT.


What's the matter today
With these words Joseph Dobbs opened the
door of the kitchen, where his wlte was ousy
getting breakfast. He had shouted to her seve-
raj times before to 'hurry up ETC., but his I'M
patience was waxing too great now for such
mild expression.
"Yes. Joe. it's almost ready; I'm just taking
il up now"
Joe fretted and fumed a few minutes longer
before his wife called to him that breakfast was
ready. After he sat down he began again.
'IVhat under the sun kept you so long this
morning? l shall be late that's sure; and old
jerks will be at me for it, and maybe turn me
of. He's ready enough to do that sometimes if
man don't please him"
"Well, Joe, couldn't help it. I've been up
since o'clock-but had the greatest time to
get the fire to burn, because the coal was wet
"And how in the world did the coal come to
be wet?"
''Why, you know it only came last night. You
were two or three days getting it after told
you it was nearly out; aud then they sent it last
evening too late to get it in SO it had to lie out
all night, and it raincd carly this morning. and
of course it got wet and hadn't any other
'Wel l should just like to know why they
could not send it home early enough to get it in
before night. I ordered it the day before. I'll
/
day and give them piece of my mind. If I am
only a working man, pay for my COAL and they
are not going to take their own time to send it
any more than if l was rich man. I'll let them
know that before I'm a day Older
And Joe was off with rush to his work, but
came late, and got an angry word from the boss
in consequence.
That afternoon on his way home from work,
he carried out his purpose of going to the coal
yard. With the air of man who is determined
to have satisfaction, he acCOsted the clerk at the
oflicc:-"I should like to know what's the rea-
son that the coal ordered here on Tuesday was
not sent till after dark last evening. 1t had to
lie out in the street all night and got so wet
with the rain that it was not fit to use. If l had
lived in Spruce street, instead of Pratt street. |
suppose you would have sent it in decent time
But Just wish to tell you-'
"What is the name, sir -
"Dobbs-Joscph Dobbs."
"Yes-Bill! Bill Sykes Look here a minute
Didn't you take Mr.. Dobbs' coal to him yester-
day, in Pratt street,"
"Yes, sir"
"Well you left here about 3 o'clock; saw you
myself He says the coal didn't get there till
after dark"
"And it's just the fact, sir. Up there in Vine
street one wheel got in a big hole in the street.
and 1 was better nor half an hour gittin' it out.
And then in another place. forgit just where it
was-the stones was out of the road lyin round
loose; and l came mighty near upsettin the
cart altogether. l split lot O. coal it was,
and had to stop to shovel up. 1t wasn't my
fault that he didn't get his coal sooner"
''You see, Mr.. Dobbs, that we could not help
it, If the city government won't keep the streets
in better order, such things will happen"
TDa had tn do l,uttp ant of thp
office as the courteous clerk turned to some one
else who came in. He had not got much salts
faction, that certain; nor did he quite know
whom to attack next, though he had vague
idea that there was somebody to blame.
Well now, Joe, let lis look at it a moment.
Let us follow the links of this chain little fur
ther back, and perhaps we shall find somebody
upon whom to vent your indignation.
Whose duty is 1t to keep the streets in such
order that the carts carrying your coal shall not
be hindered in going to you by great holes and
loose stones? The Department of Highways, of
course. But they cannot do their work without
the means to pay for it. They must have an ap-
preparation from City Councils. A resolution
making such an appropriation was offered in
Common Council not long ago, but was opposed
violently and voted against by several members.
Among these members was one from your ward,
friend Joe. He is much given to opposing every
motion which looks towards the Improvement of
the city or the proper care of its condition; but
he always and energetically supports an appro-
priation for showing hospitality or having an en-
tertainment of any kind especially if good
amount of eating and drinking is involved
But of course, Joe, you don't vote for such a
man to represent your ward in Council. You
would not stand in your own light much as
that
Why, yes; I did vote for him. You see he
belonged to the right party, and those fellows
who came down to that big meeting we had
before election told us we ought to vote for him,
so did all l could to get HIM in.
All, Joe now we've got the shoe on the right
foot. If you will vote for man-you are one
of many who do this thng-because he happens
to belong to your party and to want your vote
whether he is fit to have anything to do with
the administration of city affairs or not then
you must expect that no means will be forth
coming to keep the streets in repair; that the
wheel of the cart carrying your coal will bC
caught in a rut; that you will not get your Goa
till after night-fall; that if it happens to rair
your coal will get wet; that your poor wife viii
worry and weary herself trying to light we
Goals; that your breakfast will be late, you
temper spoiled, and you will not get to you
work in time.
How will you vote in future, Joe? HICKS
THE JUNE MAGAZINES.