Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-22
THE IDYL OF VICTORIA.
Some Malicious Humor in q Republ
can Journal,


1t was night at the Hotel Victoria-one
night last week, says the New York Trib-
une. The President-elect had gone to the
theatre, and of1ce-seekers from the thirtv-
eight States, eight Territories and the
District of Columbia waited for his re-
turn with mouths that watered with
sweet expectancy. And while they wait
ed, ever and anon if not oftener. the earn
est band of patriots wendell their way 10
the long room just of the office and wbis-
pered to the man behind the bar that they
wanted little more of that handmade
Jefersonian simplicity. The play was
long as the spring Of a Waterbury
watch, so at length the band grew
as weary as Mariana In the mOated
grange. Finally one of the administra-
tive reiOrmers-we failed to catch his
name, but have suspicion that it was
Judge DOOlittle, of Wisconsia-remarked:
suppose, to enliven the time until Mr.
CleVeland'5 return, We tell stories If
there is no objection I'lI call the roll of
the States ami representative of each in
his turn will be heard FROM" There was
no objection, the proposition being re-
celYed with great favor. Accordingly,
the Judge-if indeed 1t were here
marked: ''SOme gentleman from Ala
Ddna mas Lle UOOr.'
How the only gentleman from Alabama
then IN the hotel was plain, blunt per-
son who loved joke even at his own or
his party's expense. Besides, he was
partial to stories that "came in WE'LL"
Accordingly he responded to his invita-
ton In this way: THE pleasing little
anecdOte which ! will have the honor to
contribute TO the pleasure of the hour
may be familiar to some one of you. but it
q w Y @ nd 70 IL,
this scene-as it were-that suggests it.
Once there was king who was passion
ately fond Of hunting. In order that he
might not set out after the game on a day
which was to prove stormy, he engaged
weather prophet, wise in his generation.
to get up probabilities for him. This
weather prophet was high in the royal
favor, and received an immense salary.
hope that MIR. Cleveland will do as we'll
by each one Of US. Well, one day the
| King was pursuing a wild boar to his
rocky Businesses, under a sky OF I'M
clouded blue. Nevertheless, a little old
man who rode past the hunting party
cried cut, Best get under cover for there
is going to be 4 terrible rainstorm.' But
the hing and his comrades laughed the
little old man to scOrn. And well thew
might, for the sky was without a cloud
and the royal weather prophet had as
sured the King that the day would be all
sunshine, Nevertheless it wasn't ten
minutes after the little cid man had ut
tered his warning before the sky sud-
denly darkened and the rain descended IN
torrents. The King got wet to
the SKIN and had a bad congestiye
chill. Just as soon as he revived he Or
dered that his weather prophet should be
5eheaded, and that his fat office should be
given to the little old man. Accordingly
the little old man was summoned and tho
hlng informed him of his good fortune.
AN, but do not deserve this,' said the
little old man, 'fOr indeed l am not
Weather-wlse. The only way ! have Of
telling when it is going to storm Is by OBJ
serving the ears of my donkey. ] have
noticed for some years that whenever the
beasts ears seem to wilt and lie against
his name storm surely comesy Well.
when the King heard this he decided to
give the fat Office from which he had de-
posed his weather prophet not to the old
man but TO the donkey. All this hap
pened several hundred years ago. but the !
world has suffered ever since from the !
course the King pursued IN filling his I'm
fortunate weather prophets place."
That was the story told by the Alabama !
chap. Having finished it he rose and |
requested the urbane barkeeper to pour |
him out about three fingers straight of |
Jehersonian simplicity. While he was |
refreshing himself his fellow administra- |
tive reformers kept their seats. As he |
set down his glass one of them inquired |
with puzzled look, How has the world !
suffered by the action OF the King? |
Hanged II L understand" There was a !
gay CLEAN in the eye Of the Alabama /
chap, as he answered with voice suffused |
with tobacco, "Well, you see, its lust |
here; ever since that Kings day every |
donkey eXpeCtS a fat office -