The Weekly Tallahasseean., 1901-09-12
sPILKINs CROSS AGAIN,
He Encounters the Sidewalk and
Building Committees.

self with the reflection tnat the false
teeth he proposed getting were no. ne
ceSsary to his peace and comfort that
immediate afternoon, he settled him
self down to work. He had hardly
done so before there was a knock at
the door.
Come in," said Mr.. Spilkins.
The door Immediately opened an. a
short, thick-set gentleman entered
and proceeded to mop his face with his
handkerchief.
Come in and set down, Mr.. Spencer.
and how are you this afternoon?"
''Well, very well, replied that gen.
tleman, ''only 'tis warm, very warm. -
What can we do for you?"
Il only called to see about that side
walk, Mr.. Spilkins. The paving COM
mittee are very particular, you know,
sir, to have the matter settled
HUH" replieu Mr.. Spilkins.
'The sum is small, very small, you
know" continued Mr.. Spilkins.
SMALL" said Mr.. Spilkins, with a
contmptuOus toss of the head, yes, all
the amounts Of money people want out
Of me are small, very small but if
L
a bankrupt"
"Tis only about fifty dollars, you
know"
Fifty dollars for paving my own
sidewalk less than fifty yards" uttered
Mr.. Spilkins in amazement Fifty dol
larsi I'll not give it. I'll give you the
thirty l said would, and no more, no
more, SIR
"The committee are very determin-
ed" replied Mr.. Spencer, ''and must
have fifty or none at all"
Then 1t Wal be none at ALL" said
Mr.. Spilkins, "and you may sue if you
want to; twill cost you more than the
difference"
"The court will allow it," saiu the
other, grufly.
"Then I'll carry it to the highest
court, replied Mr.. Spilkins, you can't
legally make me pay but one-half the
cost, anyway, and that is only twenty
five dollars"
Mr.. Spilkins made out a check for
thirty dollars and handing it to Mr..
Spencer, remarked:
"Well, here is all you'll get anyway,
from me, and you may sue for the rest
if you want to-"
Mr.. Spencer took the check, put it
in his pocket, and left the Office, re-
marking as he went:
"Well, sir, we'll sue for the rest, sir;
we'll sue for the rest" And he shut
the door with slam. i
Always the way" unused Mr.. Spill
kins, when he was gone, always the
way. 1 wonder what unjust thing
they'll try to do next"
He had hardly gotten the words out
of his mouth before the door opened
to admit, this time little, thin, sandy
complexiOned man, who came in with
bow, rubbed his hands together, and
exclaimed:
Good afternoon, Mr.. SpiIkins, good
afternoon, SIR
''Ah, Mr.. Walters, come in, sir, come
in"
Mr.. Walters walked in, sat down,
and again rubbed his hands.
What can we do for you, sir?"
81 only called to say that the east
wall of your store on Call street had
been declared unsafe, and condemned
by the building committee, sir, and
that you must repair it, sir, right away,
sir, right away" -
unsafe, hey?'' said Mr.. spilkins.
0nsafe?'
Eyes, SIR
who says it's unsafe?'
"The committee, sir, the committee.
They were unanimous, sir"
Unsafe, sir, unsafe! I must re-
build it," said Mr.. Spilkins, repeat
ing the words. 81 wonder what they'll
next want me to do. Rebuild the wall!
No, sir; I'll not do it. Why twill cost
hundred dollars to do it,
eyes; between hundred and a hun
Gred and fifty" replied Mr.. Walters.
Il suppose you will begin the work
right away"
''Begin the work right away" said
Mr.. Spilkins, begin the work right
away. No, sir, I'll not begin the work
right away! I'll have the wal
strengthened and the whole building
repainted, and that's enough, sir, that's
enough"
ooh mo, SIR" said Mr.. Walter,
that's not enough. The whole wall
must be rebuilt, for if it should fall
you would be liable for damages"
''Suit for damages, is it?" sail Mr..
Spilkins, grufiy. "Suit for damages!
Let them sue, sir, let them su9."
well, sir, have done my duty and
reported the matter, sir; you will do
as you choose" and Mr.. Walter, with
good afternoon left the Office.
Mr.. Spilkins had entirely forgotten
his false teeth in his anger over the
unjust taxes that had been put upon
him, and he sat down in his chair,
mopped his face, and began to think
over his wrongs.
It being the end of the month, nu-
merous other Vexations, such as the
gas bill, the water bill, and the ice
man called, each for an additional con-
tributfon, so that by night Mr.. Spill
kins felt. in any way but a cheerful hu-
NOR. He put on his coat and hat, how
ever, and slipped on his rubbers, and
taking his umbrella, for it was still
raining, started home to supper.
When about half way home he re-
collected that Mrs. Spilkins had asked
him to call at the doctors and get
some medicine that he had prescribed
for the baby. This he did, and then
started home again Than ba raoo1