The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-25

Senator Coclxrell's Method of Treating I'm
Fortunate Callers.

Senator Cockrell's Method of Treating I'M
Fortunate Callers.
Washington Special.
The Missouri Office seeker who comes on now
to push his claims gets precious little encourage
ment from his senators. For couple of weeks
following the Inauguration there was great
enthusiasm. The senators were willing to do
all manner of obliging acts. But change has
come. Going up to the White House almost
daily aud coming away with notable addi
ton to a meager stock of information is very
mCnotonous, not to say tiresome Some courage
is required these days to talk Office to Senator
Vest. Mr.. Cockrells manner of freezing out
the candidate is not so rapid, but equally as
effective. One of Representative Dawson's con-
stituents from 1.-THE swamp deestrict" got in
yesterday, and fellow Missourian promptly
stored him off in the direction of Senator
Cockrel1s residence. The would-be postmaster
came back down town looking crestfallen. He
was pleasantly received. IL seems, and encour
aged by the senator's genial manners, commenced
to talk postofice vigorously. Mr. Cockrel seemed
lauch interested until the visitor put question
az to when the particular rascal he was interested
in was going to be turned out. Then the senator
suddenly asked:
How is the spring out in Missouri Pretty
backwardlr
The Southeast constituent said the season was
'tway Late Flowing was behind. and there
was no telling when the farmers would catch up.
He resumed the thread of his discourse about the
postofice, and went until he reached another
interrogation point.
do YOU know" said Mr. Cockrell, utterly dis
regarding the question, shat I've often thought
if lived down where you folks do, I'd make
fortune on early vegetahlesf'
Mr. Dawson's friend replied that there was "a
right smart chance" to do well with early vege-
tables in the Southeast. Old man Dean. down
year Charleston, had got rich on nothing but
'watermillions."
Once more he brought the conversation around
that postofice. He talked himself into an
Their position where an answer from the Sem
Tor was absolutely necessary.
Mr.. Cockren who, by the way, was smoking a
cob pipe reached out his long arm and got hold
of box.
1Have . cigar?" he said.
The visitor took one.
"Have anotherlT he said
The visitor took another
Mr. Cockrell commenced to talk about the
relative merits of Missouri cob pipes and Wash
ington cigars. The caller listened for a couple
of minutes, and then blurted out
''See here, Frank Cockrell, this is all right,
but what want to know is something about our
postofice.'
WELL" said the Senator biandly. but en-
phatically, II don't know a derned thing about
that postofice, any other Missouri postefice,
and what's more can't find out
The swamp district man put his two cigars in
his pocket and walked down town. 1t wasn't
long before he fell in with Missourian who had
been here longer than he had. He took out the
senatorial cigars and gave one to his friend, who
accepted it, and commenced work on it, The
giver lighted his, but didn't smoke. Pretty
soon the other asked what was the matter.
I'm waiting to see if it kills you. If it don't
III smoke mine" was the answer.
Then he went over his visit to Senator Cock
eell, and told him in detail what had occurred.