Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-03-15
JoKED BY HIS FRIENDS.
Old Mir. Francis, Dawes Father,
Makes Some Fun for a Party
of MIssourians.

Mr.. E. d. Graham, who has Just
returned from a two weeks sojourn
in Florida, tells a good story of a
joke played upon old Mr.. Francis,
father of Missour1'sn next Governor,
at Jacksonville, the other day. Mr.
Graham, R. l.. Billingsly, of ST.
Louis, and John III. Garth, of Han
nibal, were talking together in the
st. James Hotel, jacksonville,
when an old gentleman came in.
Mr.. Garth at once recognized him
as the father of the Mayor of st.
Louis and mentioned the fact to
Graham and Billingsly. The
former at once saw an opening for
a practical joke, and said:
"Garth, if you are sure that is
the old gentleman, we'll have some
fun"
Mr.. Garth was sure there was nc
mistake, and, Mr.. Graham lead.
ing, the party walked out on the
veranda in front of the house ano
took seats. They were not there
long when the old gentleman came
out of the hotel and occupied g
chair not many feet from the Mis-.
souri, crowd. Everything was
ready and Mr.. Graham commenced
something like this:
az understand Francis, Of st
Louis, is squarely in the race fol
Governor of Missouri"
eyes" replied one of the othel
gentlemen, with a sort of a sniff
Eyes, and | don't think he is the
man for the place by any means
The others assented and in turn
gave their reasons. "He's toe
young" said one, "much too
young.""And he deals in options
said another.
AT the first mention OF his name
the old gentleman began shifting
his chair in the direction of thu
takers and gave earnest attention
to every word spoken. When th'
young Mayors disqualification
were being pointed out the old gen
tleman could stand it no longer ant
blurted out:
"Why, gentlemen, Dave Franco
can't help it because he is young
no, sir, man cannot appoint tn
day of his coming into the world
Eyes, we know all that" sail
Mr.. Graham, wisely, "but olde
heads can be found to direct tn
handling of the g~ubernatoria
reins. Besides that" he continu
ed gravely, "Francis deals in OPP
tons"
"No, sir, you are mistaken
Dave has done nothing of the sol
since he became Mayor of St. Louis
and besides that, he handles NOR
actual grain than any other man i
the country"
There was much shaking {
heads and many grunts of dissati:
faction at the old gentleman's state
ments. Just as he had finishe
talking an elderly lady appeare
on the grounds in front ofthe hot'
and old Mr.. Francis, pointing I
her, said:
! "There goes the mother of tn
man of whom we just speal
ling"
Of course the gentlemen in tn
party were greatly surprised an
one of them ventured that 18th
father must also be near"
"He is" answered Mr.. Franci
9 earnestly; "and he is sittir
before you.o
The joking trio apologized pr
fusely and the excuses were aceep
ed in good faith by Mr.. Franci
The old gentleman left in blissf'
Ignorance of having been tt
victim of a joke and not until tt
next day did he learrf better. M
Graham met him, in company wit
his wife, out for a walk, and an e:
PLANTATION followed.
II thought, when my husbar
told me of the conversation" sal
Mrs. Francis, ssthat it was a jok
of some of Dawes friends. | don
know what sort of a executive N
son would make, but If he is elects
and turns out to be al good a Go
e ernor as he is a son, the people
Missouri will be more than salts
ed with his administration.
Just before the Missouri par
2 left for home, the old gentlemi
approached Mr.. Graham and IL
plored him not to mention the jol
to his son, Sid. why he sal
!, "he'd worry the life out Of me oy
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