The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-30
EXECUTIVE HOSPITALITY.
lOpie P. Read, in St. Paul Herald.

that, owing to washout," the train would be delayed several hours "Ah.n thought Governor Callahan, '" this will give me an opportunity to meet the gov ernor of ArkaHsaw."
 lie inquired the way to the state house. The governor of Arkansaw was out of town. He had left the office in charge of his private secretary, who, having made arrangements to go fishing, had turned over the department to the care of his worthless brother -in-law, Tom Bickle.
 Come in," said Bickle, as stately looking man presented himself at the door.
 Good morning, sir. Have 1 the honor of addressing the chief executive of Arkansaw?'
 ( You have," replied Bickle.
 ] am Governor Callahan"
 An, governor, glad to meet you, sir. Sit down and make yourself as much at home as though you were in your own office. By the way, Governor Callahan, do you object to the observance of an old-time customT'
 Oh, no not all."
 "Well, sir, many years ago, probably before the meeting between the gover- nors of North and South Carolina, the legislature of Arkansaw passed very pe- culiar, though, when you become accus- toned to it, natural resolution. This. as nearly as can remember, is the text Resolved, that when the governor of Arkansaw calls upon the governor of an. other state, that he shall procure tug of the best whisky and drink to the everlast- ing Perpetuity of our common country: and be 1t further resolved, that when the governor of another state do visit the governor of Arkansaw, that the visiting governor procure jug aud drink as above directed This is aa old custom, governor" continued Bickle, who was suffering for drink and who hadn't the substance of a cent nor the shadow of credit, and will not insist upon its en- forcement, especially as am a prohibi- tionist; but as ! say, the custom is very old and has been observed by some of the most eminent men in the country. thought had jug here, somewhere" added Blckle, looking under the table ' The governor of Missouri was down here several days ago, and though l in- sisted, yielding to the promptings of the great temperance principle, that the rule should not be observed, yet he declared that he would not be the first to disrepard it. Good man, that governor of Mis- souri. Full of honor, brim full of it. sir.
 My dear slr,,' said Governor Galla. ham, l was elected on the temperance ticket, but, ike the governor of Missouri, l cannot be the first to trample upon the rule. What is the conventional sum?'
 "Ten dollars"
 Here's the money, sir"
 Bickle said on such occasions it was the rule that the resident governor hould go in person and have the jug filled. Co., ing to neighboring saloon, he bought S2 worth of cheap whisky.
 Now, governor, we will proceed" he said, when he returned to the executive chamber.
 " do not like to drink, >" replied Galla- ham; "i used to drink great deal and"
 Oh, so did I, governor; and were it not for this old-time rule would never dnnk again. Glasses arc barred. Turn up the jug"
 Callahan took pretty fair "snort !" and passed the jug to Bickle, who wres- tied with 1t as man wrestles with an op- ponent of whose tricks he is aware.
 Arkansaw is great state," said the visiting governor, !" a state of wonderful resources"
 Bet your executive lif," replied Bickle, showing the jug toward Callahan, who, turning 1t up, remarked:
 Heres to our common country"
 Don't speak of it." said B;ckle, as he the jug and puckered his lips around the short neck of the vessel.
 "How long have you lived in this state ?" asked Callahan.
 "Who, me? Let me think. See the Arkansaw river out there? We'll, sir, when came here that river was nothing but damp streak"
 ""You don't tell me so p
 "Oh, yes. It kept getting damper every year until it got so oczy that we had | to roll up our brooches when we crossed | 1t. See that steamboat? We'll, sir, right where that boat is hugging the current my yoke of steers got stalled one day."
 Callahan said nothing, but he turned up the jug. Bickle caught it as it came down, drank and continued:
 That river gets awful low in the sum- mer. Got so low last year that the doc tors gaveit up. Nobod- thought it could recover. Eve seen steamboats struggling along on stilts. Passengers were all sneezing."
 Passengers sneeringp
 "Yes, the dust was so thick that one time"
 Bickie did not finish the sentence, but glided through the door. He saw the governor of Arkansaw coming up the walk. Callahan did not observe the de- parture of Mr. Bickle, but sat with his elbows on the table and with his head on his hands. The real governor entered. | Callahan looked up and said:
 "Wharz gov'ner 2"
 am the governor"
 Liar !"
 Governor Callahan was rudely hustled l from the executive chamber. He cannot how long it was from the time he left the executive chamber until the time when he struck the state house yard, but he thinks that it was during the after-