Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-04-03
HE USES SEVEN PENS.
Governor Swanson Signs the Teach
er's Pension Bill.

6OfernOr swanson SlgnStn Teacn-
er's Pension Bill.
Something important was about to
happen. And something did happen
pretty shortly thereafter, for into the
executive Offices rustled, tripped and
fitted six young ladies, as fresh, as
radient, and as blooming as all of the
flowers that bloom in the spring, tra-la.
They were school teachers.
Yes, the famous six who got through
the pension bill, which is to bring pecu-
mary sunshine to worn out educators
after their professional usefulness is
done.
The floral sextette, in hats and bon
nets, which blossomed like an Area
dian conservatory, came to witness the
signing of the pension bill-to stand
over the Governor and see that
he didn't hedge at the last minute.
The sextette were ushered into the
tastefully furnished reception room
while the announcement came forth
that the executive would appear in a
moment.
Then just to keep peace in the Capt.
tol, for the chattering every second
was growing louder, Secretary Owen
coyly gave to each teacher beautiful
lithograph of the Virginia flag.
With a smile which possibly may
never come off, Governor Swanson
loomed up on the feminine vision three
minutes after this pleasing incident,
and then the fun began.
First. the Executive intimated that,
after all, he might not sign the bill,
but alarmed by the ensuing uproar, he
quickly took down his colors and told
his visitors that he would sign, but
that there was statute which imposed
a heavy fine on lobbyists.
The faithful Ben proceeded to lay
hands on this law, but the fair school
ma 'ams-his lavender cravat to the
contrary Notwithstanding him
the CHEEKY ha-ha.
When the Executive got ready to
annex his signature to the bill, the
situation which the thoughtful secre-
tary had anticipated forthwith arose.
All the teachers wanted the pen and
trouble seemed imminent. With the
wisdom of Solomon, the Executive
proceeded to adjust this threatening
complication. He called for all the
seven pens and proceededto to sign on the
installment plan. "Cp'--he wrote,
and by then Miss Mary Webb had the
pen. "Au"-- he added, and by
that time ever vivacious Miss Nellie w.
Birdsong had the second treasure.
de" came next as fragment of the
gubernatoriai chirography, and black
eyed Miss Leisa Archer got pen.
After the significant letters "Sw"
(the first symbols of the patronymic
Swanson-not swat had been dashed
off pretty Miss Cornelia Adair received
pen, and so it went to the ink-spark-
ling end.
Pens, of course, fell to the lot of Miss
Mary E. Frayser, the thinking end OF
the sweet lobby, and to Miss Cornelis
S. Taylor, the letter writing and hard
working end, while seventh was re.
served for Mrs. Aarons, who had spe-
cially requested to be remembered.
The Governor then tried vainly tt
look stern and said: ''Now you ought
to be satisfied. after bulldozing anC
threatening everybody
But he didn't mean it for a second
and everybody knew he didn't, for the
six ladies before him had endearec
themselves to everybody at the Capito
Legislators, lobbyists, elevator men,
janitors and all.
Although genial and irresis table al
all times, there was never a second
when their eanestness of purpose anC
desire to make friends carried them the
millionth part of an inch beyond the
bounds of circumspection.
They labored night and day in 8
worthy cause; they accomplished what
everybody said they couldn't accom-
plish; they achieved results that no 81,
men on earth could have brought
about.
So it's fond goodbye to the school
ma ANS now, unless, indeed, they wan
something else, when all-the old cod
gers in particular-will be mighty glat
to see them again.
Not content with making the Cover
nor sign the pension bill in their pres
ence, the teachers, by duress, hkewis
compelled him to autograph each of tn
pictures showing the State flag: :
Richmond Journal.