Omaha daily bee., 1891-12-06
MODESTY OF A COUNCILMAN.
This One Knew What His Humble Services
We're R ,asonably Worth.
HAD AN ORDER FOR A SUIT OF CLOTHES.
While He Made the Order Include an
Overcoat and Hat He Positively
Neglected to Take
Any Shoes.
AN ORDER FOR SUIT OF CLOTHES.

In view Of the unpleasant notoriety
achieved by certain councilmen in the recent
alleged city hall furniture Doodle investiga-
ton 1t has become unpopular for councilmen
to let the public know of the little perquisites
that com to them by reason of their official
positions. 1t has been a custom, however,
more honored in tho observance than in the
breach, for a L municipal legislator, possibly to
expect, certainly, to receive little tokens of
appreciation from constituents Interested in
the speedy completion of some Job of grading
or the early award of some curbing contract
in the accomplishment OF which the council
man has used his influence. When properly
owners on a dozen different streets want
WORK done at once, the favored ones, who get
their Improvement ordered first, are perhaps
pardonable If they express in a mild way
their appreciation of the efforts of O council
man in their behalf.
1t was a case of this kind that gave cause
for a pretty story that is being
told, of a councilman and a contractor, and is
furnishing a good deal of amusement for
those who are on the inside. The contractor
wanted a job of curDing done. A whole lot
of other people wanted curbing done, too;
time was a great object, and cold weather
was approaching. The contractor had 'bacn
there before many a time' and knew the
ropes. He sought the councilman and said
'Now (rom, Dick or Harry 1 want this
curbing done before cold weather and II you
EOb Nv Aohtitai w tbS ~ IL DuJ Joh q hito
suit of clothes
A hint to a wise councilman is sufficient
and at the next meeting of the council Tom,
Dick or Harry secured the passage of the
ordinance ordering tho laying of the con-
tractors curbing and appeared the next day
at a prominent clothing emporium armed
with the contranctor's order for a suit of
clothes. .a
1t didn't take the councilman long to select
his suit. The best wasn't any too good for
him and he soon had it. Then he noticed
that his new suit and old o~vercoat didn't har-
monize very we'll and he remarked TO the
merchant:
"This overcoat don't match these new
toys very well. DC you ever read an order
for a suit of clothes}to include an overcoat.
L wonder If the squire would stand lt?'
The urbane clothier remarked that the
squire was generally pretty liberal and he
thought that he could put a construction on
the order broad enough to include an over
coat and the councilman was soon warming
his hands IN the veIgety pockets OF one of the
firms finest meltons.5,
n really ought 10, have a good hat TO go
with this outfit" sAld the councilman as his
suit and oyercoat wee being wrapped up.
Bring me one of your best hats and IN pay
for it,"
The hat was produced-a neat Dunlap of
toe approved style, marked Sand fitted TO
the brain tank of the city solon.
"Thats first rate,'' said no as he smiled on
his reflection In a mirror and reached
into his pocket for his purse. Then
a thought struck him. He seemed
pleased with it and wanted to share 1t with
the merchant. Say" he said, ~ don't
know whether to pay for this or have IL put
in the bill with the other stuff. What would
you dos"
The merchant was a friend of home indus
try and when he gazed into the childlike face
of that councilman and saw its traces of ia "
nerve he recognized an infant industry that
needed encouragement He promptly, withe
u voice full of encouragement, advised th
customer TO put the hat IN the bill with the
other stuff by all means, and 1t was done.
This was late in November aud on the
morning Of December | the contractors mai