The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-03-07

cutor. whom the chief had mentioned.
Thither he betook himself. The prose-
cutting attorney frankly stated that the
proposed rattle was illegal and ex-
pressed himself as willing to act, II
some citizen would file an affidavit.
But he advised Diogenes simply
a. friend. you understand not in any
official capacity,"-not to think of do
ing such a thing-It might arouse
race prejudice. and hurt his business
standing In the community. Diogenes
asked II he himself would be allowed
to rattle a COW or a pig to raise mo-
ney for his church.
NO. replied the attorney-this
time speaking as an official.-'she
public wouldn't stand for it,"
Our hero fingered to draw upon the
fountain Of legal knowledge once more.
He wished to know the reach of the
arm that had that morning robbed
him OF his fat envelope. He asked
what would happen il he should send
tickets to the Elks' rattle through the
mails.
Get arrested, sure" laconically ans
wered the legal adviser. Postal in
spectors on the watch"
But why?"
Prosecutor Has Joke.
well. now, to be frank, Aristo-
planes. the prosecutor had once
studied Greek and loved a joke now
and then. We'll, Aristophanes. Uncle
Sam isn't elected by the leading citi-
zens OF this town. He hasn't thing
to do but enforce the postal laws"
The flame still burned in Diogenes'
lantern. and seeing a group of promi-
nent politicians in a saloon, as he
went down the street next day, he
went in in search Of key to his mys-
teries
These pillars OF state were gratified
that he consulted them. 1t showed
commendable and all too rare dispo-
sition on the part of the stranger
within our gates" that one Of them
should desire to understand the gov
eminent under which they had come
to take refuge. They assured Mr.. Chi
ascurO that he had come to the right
place for enlightenment. Diogenes was
glad and proceeded to spread his per-
plexities before them. But as they
gathered the gist of his questions-as
to the difference between church lot
terry and charity rattle; between
craps in BucktOwn and bridge in the
East End; between prosecuting attOr-
ney and postal inspector; and es-
pecially as to the special privileges of
the leading citizens; he noticed that
their faces were not toward him as
at the beginning. They bantered one
another with-to him-pointless mirth
and INDUCED in some-to him-mean-
ingless jokes: when they began to chaft
him. ignoring his questions, he saw
there was no chance to learn what he
wanted and went away. When he was
gone one of them delivered himself
of lofty sentiments about the danger
of admitting to this country all these
ignorant foreigners. who lack the ne
cessary intelligence to understand our
institutions. A second predicted that
the country was going to the dogs If
1t did not quit admitting these anarch-
list Dagoes who are always criticising
and opposing our government. A third
gave vent to his irritation more blunt
ly. and profoundly to the effect that
these niggers were getting too gay.
anyhow, and would nave to be taught
to keep their place.
Continues His Quest.
In blissful ignorance Of his presimp-
ton, Diogenes pursued his investiga-
IN h0 inf nfo NJ inc hn foi
itself. There he saw the leading citi-
zens" in their pride and splendor.
Their wives and daughters graced the
booths. He saw their libertine mayor
lead the grand march Of the city's
fairest and bravest. Only his faith
in Washington and Lincoln saved him
from grave fears of disintegrating eff
feet Of American life upon the Italian
home. He saw all classes join in the
mad scramble for prizes at the games
Of skill and chance. He heard the un-
blushing appeal to the gambling pas
sion. He learned of the hundred thou
sand tickets in the auto rattle, sold to
| those charitably inclined, when chart
ty. meant chance to get unearned
gain. And he fingered until he had
heard the award.
Then as the disciple Of Demosthenes
and Mazzini and lover of Lincoln walk
ed homeward. pondering on what he
had seen and heard. the light broke on
him and he grasped the genius of the
American city government. Eureka"
he cried, as he turned the heather
Code Of The Ten Tables" to the wall.
and put out his lantern. Then he