The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-13
They Have q Very Confidential Chat
In His Honors Private Olaca
STRINGENCY In MONEY MARKET.
Jim Offers the Mayor 90 Cents and tho
Mayor Weeps-You VIII Probably
Hear q BELL TinlKle Tomorrow In
City Hall.

| Jim was "tickls ed half to death" when
the messenger informed him that Mayor
Potter would be pleased TO have him call
at the city hall, Monday morning. or
course. we cannot tell just what he
thought, but we are inclined TO think
that Jim Imagined the mayor wanted
| him for his private secretary in case he
was elected for third term. But when
jim mentioned the matter to Tom, the
| latter remarked that probably the mavor
wanted to Kick him for referring to him
as ~ ''spindled. shanked chump."
However, Jim went to city hall, found
| Lis way to the executive department.
| and was duly introd uced to the mayor.
| The mayor gave him a cordial Invitation
| to enter his private Office, and Jim en-
| tered. The mayor waved Jim to d caair,
| and as Jim sank down in IL. he said to
himself, This ch ir probably cost the
| city Sl4."
The Mayor in n Confidential Mood.
His Honor. the mayor, wheeled another
chair up in front OF Jim aud sat down.
He placed hand on Jim's knee, bent his
head down ani said:
"Jim, you are not the first man who
has taken me for chumpi You see,
when became mayor, / had never seen
the inside OF either tLecouncil room or the
aldermanic chamber. / was very green"
"As green as was when / entered the
aldermanic chamber last Thursday"
Jim ventured TO interrupt.
Exactly" smiled the mayor.
"And you had never worked in the
sewer ?" oueried Jim.
"Nevcr." said His Honor. 'T tried to
get job in the old sewer once, but they
wouldn't have me. Well, as / sad, when
/ beca me mayor / was green. and some OF
the aldermen took me for chump.
They thought they were going to rattle
me. But they never did. / have never
made parliamentary ruling that has
been overruled. That Is a record that
am proud Of"
Isn't That Rather Costly?
mo doubt, no doubt" said Jim; "but
how have you managed ity"
"Well, you see." responded the mayor.
with q merry twinkle In his LIFT eye,
"when I've found myself In close cor
Der. I've always called in the city solic-
tor and explained the question to him,
and he has sustained me in every In :
stance"
"But-but-but. isn't that rather
costly ?" whispered Jim. 'How much do
| You have 10 p y him?"
| Tn is blunt query rather staggered the
mayor for moment. He looked at jim,
| 10 up aud went over to a desk. When
| he came back he handed jim a 25.cent
cigar, ana quietly remarked:
Jim, that's an Official secret"
Jim made a mental note of it.
| Then the mayor "hedged." He
Ir. anl,a a1 of nf< S....
| ing Jim with some capital stories
| mostly at the expense of A lderman Full
| l.r or other members OF the city govern.
ment.
The Mayor Wants 81.
| During brief lull In the storytelling
the mayors private secretary came in.
! The p. $. had the honor OF Le-
| ing introduced TO jim, and the
mayor told him 10 give Jim a
drink OF distilled Pawtuxet water. Jim
does not drink water very often. but just
to please the mayor he wet his lips.
| "Oh, by the way" said the mayor,
turning to his private secretary, "have
you got that 81 yet ."
mo, but I'll have IL tomorrow" re-
spouded the p. 5.
"You see, Jim," explained the mayor,
al intend to call in my russes shoes aud
straw hat next Wednesday. aud such a
change costs like furyv'
II don't suppose 30 cents would be OF
any use to you. would iti" asked jim, his
hand in his pocket.
"Not unless c,n raise 50. 10 besides"
said he mayor. But / thank you very
much, very much, Jim, for your Offer"
"Wel, Mr.. Mayor, il you don't make
4 n
said Jim. "1he head officer OF big city
like Providence must keep up with the
| procession, and IL is getting trifle late
| for straw shoes and russet hat. i don't
belong to your party, Mr.. Mayor, but I'm
| a patriot before partisan every time I"
Jim's earnestness drew tears from the
mayors eyes.
IL Mayor Potter does not have new
hat and new pair Of shoes it won't be
J.m's iault.
The Mayor Had Seen Jim Before.
''How long have yoa been in Provi-
| dence, Jim" asked the private secretary.
About two years" was the reply
II don't think l ever met you BEFORE"
said the p.s
90. I've met Jim several times" said
the mayor; 'met him at cnurch-on Que
| OF the rear seas, / think"
| 'Probably So" sal jim; "the three
rear seats are reserved for smokers, 1
| believe"
Just then some one entered the ou'er
| Office 10 see the mayor on official busne
and Jim nowed himself out. whispering
| In tho mayors ear:
Don't hesitate TO send for me II you
have any difficulty about raising that "a