The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-03-23
Johnny and the Governor,


The Legislature is in session now, and
Fizzletop's boy Johnny spends great
deal of his time over ut the capitol talk
in" to solons. with whom he is quite q
favorita, until he knows almost as much
about running the government rs they
do. At home, Johnny'S talk is full Of
quaint Legislative expressions that the
rest of the family cannot understand,
and. moreover, he has learned 10 swear,
n thing he never did before until he be-
came familiar with solons.
A few DAYS ago his legislative knowl-
edge cropped out on the occasion of his
going to the door when the family pas
tor called to obtain subscription for
an orphan asylum. In reply to the pas
tors request To inform Johnny's father
that q gentleman WAS here to see him,
Johnny replied
1.-THE governor cannot see you ut
present. He is busily engaged with the
affairs OF State. He Is attending To some
measures of internal improvement"
What do you say he is doing?'
Attending to internal improvements,
filing away batter cakes ut the breakfast
table
II want YOU To tell your father I de-
sire TO see him about his subscription TO
that orphan asylum"
Johnny shook his head dcprecating-
". and said:
at will he of no use for YOU to intro
ducc that bill. Parson. for | tell YOU can
didly | shall use my influence to kill II
off in the Senate. II will never reach
the governor at all. Ii is unconstitution-
al to use the money of the people TO re-
licyc orphans. Ii will open door TO
fraud and corruption. What security
have we Legislators got that you YOUR
self are not the orphan who expects to
be relieved? You had better retire your
bill. Parson. AT any rate, l close,
AMI he closed the door in the daZed
clergyman face.
When Johnny returned to the break
fast table. Col Fizzlctop asked Johnny
To whom hc had been talking. Johnny
replied that il was parson Smith. but
that he had sat down upon him in the
committee room, and he would not turn
up again this session.
JOHNNY" said Col. FizZletop. Z"
want YOU 10 keep out of that capitol.
Since YOU have been running with those
legislators you talk like fool, but
know remedy Tor you"
Johnny saantered oil, rcmarking
TINT he was opposed to all class and
special legislation, that there had been
too much Of it already in that family.
Johnny's experiences at school were
very discouraeing to our incipient leg1s'
h. OIL i'm,
out 10 say his lesson, he arose in bis
seat and moved To refer the whole mat.
ter 10 the committee on spOnges and
lead pencils. The teacher asked him
what he mean, by that foolishness.
.sSir. language has been used by you
in the heat Of debate" replied Johnny,
thrusting one hand inside Of his vest
and holding his nose up in the air
Language has been used that is unbe
coming gentleman
When the teacher got through drag
gin@ him over HE benches, Johnny Wen'
home very indignant to see tho cover.
nor about 1t.
The governor was not in. but John
ny's mother told him that his father lef
word for him to clean up the yard
JOHNNY laughed scornfully:
.Ha. another message from the gov.
ernor. | believe the sage OF SeguiI
imagines he can run this legislature
lie will know better after while.
When .Johnny's father came home
the first thing be wanted to know Wa
why the ward was not cleaned up
JOHNNY gave the old man some racke
about the governor having no right Il
us,rp Legislative functions. when thu
old man reached out and made sue
cessfIl motion to lay Johnny on the ia
BILE.
"Thcre," said Col. FizzletOp, us h
threw away the broken piece of bet
slat, II shall make use Of that vet
whenever think you need il.
johnny has retired tn the shades o
| priya', life. and once more enjoys tn
| respect OF his family and friends
| y,Tf,y .lj1{luyS,