Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-25
CRANK SCARES MAYOR
PHuADELPHIA,S CHIEF EXECU-
TIVE HAD A BAD FRIGHT.
Called at Night to Finance Road to
Heaven and Become Governor
Of Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA, January 25.-Mayor
weaver yesterday told of man who Wis
iteo MIN at his home in Overlook We'd
nesday night and gave him the scare Of
MS life. 1t was almost midnight
"nen the stranger rang the porch bell and
was ushered into the library, where the
mayor sat alone reading. Mr. Weaver
started UP in establishment and sat down
In alarm The man wore long beard and
was ragged, but, worst Of all. his pockets
plugged suspiciously. They looked as
though they concealed bombs. and the
mayor, having visions Of the 4th street bank
tranah,oa and other things before him,
trembied. John Weaver. I am going to
puiId road from here to heaven, and I
want want you to finance it." said the stranger
T Sure said the mayor. "Oh, sure"
terday. all about hypnotic eyes, how to
keep out or the way Of bombs and other
things like them.
sit down." said the mayor, land tell
me me ABOUT It. He noticed with more alarm
tnat the stranger sat down gingerly. The
visitor seemed not to wish to Jolt the con-
tents or his pockets. Hence after he had
the mayor jumped.
Il ought to send an agent to the holy
city TO tell them about this road coming"
suggested the stranger. The mayor
gripPed his chair tighter and thought
quickly. There's no one more fit to go
than YOU" he said at last. Then for ten
mi i ne ampl1f1ed this thought. In the
ca en- between his words he tried to think
OF ways to summon help. He couldn't
he knew the stranger wouldn't let him
move There was no one in the house
but the servant. He had to fall back
went painfully by while his honor dis
cussed heavenly transportation, feared he
was to be the first passenger and grew
weak in the knees every time the bearded
one moved his pockets against the sides of
the chair.
Wanted to Be Governor.
The hour struck but the unwelcome
guest held his victim fast The half
struck and the mayor was in mental
agony. Then he started. Il want you to
make me governor the stranger was say
ing. great light dawned on the mayor
Sure" he cried joyously. "Sure. You're
just the man, but must call my political
lieutenants." The stranger waved his
hand ferociously. The mayor rushed to
the phone. He called all the police sta
tions within mile. He gave them code
words and signals. He returned to the
library. In few minutes twelve mount
ed policemen dashed up to the mayors
gate. Two patrol wagons with six men in
each followed close behind. They deployed,
reconnoitered and surrounded the house.
Then they circled about and rang the bell.
1Hey uleQ ullO tHe Inc mayor
face beamed. My political. lieutenants,"
he said. BE careful" he whispered.
Look out for bombs. Humor him.
They humored him for twenty minutes,
and then on the promise that they were
taking him to the gubernatorial mansion,
they escorted him to one of the patrol wag
ons. They put him in gingerly and then
drove over the car tracks with supreme
caution. All around him rode the twelve
mounted men.
At the station house score of fore
warned policemen fell on the stranger.
Four held his arms, others his legs to keep
him from falling. Other intrepid ones went
at the bullying pockets By the phone out
at Overlook stood the mayor.
There were no bombs. In the pockets were
crusts of bread and cheese and Jumps of
COAL
When told the mayor hung up the phone
with deep sigh of relief.
The stranger said his name was Ford
Gill and that he had come from Mt. Moriah
cemetery. He went to the Philadelphia Hos
ptal for the Insane.