New-York tribune., 1901-04-14
NO WONDER THOSE WHO HEARD
THIS TALE COULD NOT
BELIEVE 1T.

9IDany. April Is (SpeclaD.-A group or Assembly
men was sitting around one Of the black tables OF
the Ten Eyck Hotel night last week. when
some one happened speak of bribery a temp
tation Of legislative life.
Il don't believe members bribed they used
10 be-" he said. I've been here whole winter
now, and haven't seen any OF II. II may have
been prevalent In former years. such you read
Of and tod about, but / don't believe IT exists
now"
Neither do l." said another member of the
group. II have seen in the papers now and then
Of so many thousand dollars OF 'swas being
brought to Albany. but 1 don't believe it,
That is. you haven't seen any OF the 'swag'.
rejoined third. who was drinking claret lemonade
Have you:" Immediately asked the first two
speakers.
''No. / can't say that ] have: but there was
practical joke played Assemblyman from
district not more than two hundred miles from
New-York City the other morning that makes me
think such things possible and perhaps
Perhaps WHAT" asked No. with great eager
ness.
perhaps such things do exist"
Impossible" interrupted No. q
The man with the claret Lemonade slowly began
stirring the crimson depths of his glass with
straw. and then swished out piece of lemon peel
the table
but what was the joker" demanded No. /, still
more earnestly
BLANK is NOT HIS NAME.
We'll" began the lemonade drinker. in more
boys were sitting in lobby the other morning
when one said:
1--we heard tell that AssembNman Blank Ul
eaN him Blank. because I don't want TO give his
name away is willing to be let in on close bal
DOT
1--we heard the same thnsf myself said an
sother
"~Weu soon find out them said l. There's a
bill that will come up the calendar in few
minutes which may have a close vote, and well
put our friend 10 the test "
How could vou?" again interrupted No. 1. with
Etill greater interest.
The former speaker stirred up the precipitate of
lemon seeds and sugar in the bottom of his glass
and continued:
well, / took a slip Of paper and wrote down
seven names Then opposite each name L wrote
SO in fat figures. Then took the slip and quietly
strolled over the direction of our friend Blank.
BY good chance there was a seat vacant just in
front of his chair. so sat down in the vacant seat
snd held I'D the slip so my friend couldn't help
seeing it. Soon / began 10 hear him squirm around
his chair rustic and tear newspapers. and finally
almost choke himself in paroxysm Of coughing,
That was what / wanted. My fish was nibbling.
Why IT was as easy catching founders All /
had to do pull in the line
You didn't mean TO brfbe him?' exclaimed both
Nos. and p exchanging Mortified looks with each
pther.
MADE SHOW OF HIM.
The third speaker took a deep quaf of his lemon
Ade stirred up the lemon seeds again, and then.
without at all needing the perturbation OF his fe-
lows. continued:
When / heard that fellow saurmng and cough
ing simply folded up The slip, put in pocket
and walked back into the lobby where the boys
A moment later, who should pass by but
Blank,
There he goes they said. He fooled you.
didn't hep
Just wait said l. Just watch him and see
Another minute and Blank back, eating
an apple he had bought in Hogans corner. AS he
passed he said How dye DO? How dye do?' to
all of US, and then began munching his apple. AS
at my elbow and said:
WHATS up? said I, with all the surprise I
Yes said he, something's doing, amt there p
We'll. yes. said ], something's doing; but why
Didn't you let in those fellows out there? said
he. nervously- -, . os .s,,.
Ran that F1Sa o any oes
::Biank hesitated a moment. and then said:
You don't StI mean Blank. sstd I, that you want
Certainly; certainly. was the answer. How
The rascal,'' said No !
The scoundrel SAID a No ~. = % ors cid. 90
mat % fe% drops Of Pba the @ spied on the
Blank sald i've just got 70 votes
just enoggh so 70 Pass aee g s like night in the trop,cs
But new thought struck him he frightened up
and said:
g But you ought to have couple more votes to
he You may lose of 'em. Sometimes
you can't depend on the Hessians' -
HESsIANs NOT DEAD YET.
''The Hessians," exclaimed No. /. what DO you
The Hessians were mercenary troops hired by
the British in the Revolution" calmly explained
the with the claret lemonade These Hes
sians are also nercenary troops hired for the oc-
casion- But. as / saying my friend Blank
had expressed the opinion that ought TO have &
couple more So / said:
we'll. Blank, can't pay more than s. for any
additional votes
"a Five dollars" said he, in disgust DO you take
for common laborer? What do you mean?
Five dollars for vote, From me? Why, the
lowest I ever knew so. Keep your dirty
money! don't want It. Keep IL"
terested in came few minutes later. I cared
more about that bill than one OF the statutes
of Florida When the debate ended and the bill
put a vote Blank looking with
look if he had been robbed Of all his
money before his own eyes The clerk was calling
fingers extended. Blanks face took still
more dsgusted look. Then / both his hands
go up and the ten fingers separate. didn't look
him again till the clerk had reached the SIS
BY this time all the other boys who understood the
situation were smiling at one another and beckon-
ing TO turn around. Just then the clerk called
out 'Seventy-eight ayes So noes i looked around
suddenly, and Blanks hand come down. He
had az last put five fingers. but IT too late
There was a momentary silence. Then said No. L.
1T doesn't possible. and, what is more I
can't understand why j haven't such things
Nor ], either" said No. 2.
= But the with the claret lemonade drained
his glass and said not a word.