Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-05-21
Parable of The Great Graft
CHAPTER I.


Now, it came to pass, in the reign
of King Nero, the Near, and in the
four hundred and twenty-third year of
his reign, that the King began to grow
/ old; and growing ola, he grew peevish,
so that he was easily vexed. And the
slaves and servants were sore afraid
when the King drew near, lest he he
seized with an anger, and start some
thing.
Nero had been good King and the
! Heople loved him with a great affec-
tion. For the people knew what the
Kings Wise Road boss had done for
them, and they were grateful; but as
Nero grew old and peevish, his treat.
ment of the people changed for the
worse, and he began to lose his pull
with the public.
So it came to pass That there arose
throughout the Land great clamor.
Tribesmen came together and talked
in loud voices; and there was much
wailing and speech.making. And ev.
erybody knocked Nero and called him n
Crab.
Now when Nero knew that the
tribesmen knocked MIN, he became
peeved beyond expression, and being
thus peeved he raised the deuce with
everybody in general
And called mis- Chiefs Rubdub unto
him. When the Rubdud was come I'M.
to him, Nero looked upon him with a
fierce gaze and the Rubdub trembled
with a shaking fear and bowed low
before the King. Then spakc Nero
unto him thusly:
Why tremblest thou so, Vassal ?
Wouldst shake down the plaster
Arise that / mayest smite thee on the
bean. And waen the King had smote
him on the bean, nc spake unto him
even again "List yo unto me, Rub.
dub; L IN going to give up my Job"
And the Rubdub was dumb with
amazcment. And being dumb with
amazement the Rubdub answered moth.
ing; and Nero said unto him: "Think
ye this bunch of knockers can get my
goatl Verify there is no chance. Go
ye forth and call together the Wise
men" And the Rubdub went forth to
obey tne King, filled with a great won
der. And whilst the Rubdub went
worth, the King got busy on his own
account.
CHAPTER II.
Now when the wise men had come
together, every one in the presence of
the King, the King addressed the Wise
men after this fashion: "Wise men
and councillors, list We to the sad
news: Our capable and efficient Road
Boss hath been seized with a fata'
illness and is now dead. Therefore, il
pleaseth the King to appoint in his
place Hans Schneider, whom We al
know as a good mixer-or drinks >
Having spoken thus, Nero frowned up
on the Wise men, and spoke again:
"list ye further unto me: The all
ment that smote TIE Road Boss also
smote the honest Keeper of the Coin
He too is dead one. And for that
Job | wouldst have Ole Olson of the
Royal Bar. f" Again the King frowneC
upon the Wise men. and for taird
time spoke unto them:
"Thus doth the King say unto hi,
Wise men: Nero growcth old ant
wOuldst renounce the throne. And foi
thy new King | give thee Pat Shaun
messy, who knowcth few things about
King and---D
Thus spoke the King unto his Wise
men. And when ne had done speak
ing, he took the Kingly Crown and
placed it upon the head of Pat Shaun
messy; and he loosed from his girdlC
the key to the Coin Box, and passed il
unto Ole Olson. Then he gave a grub
hoe unto Hans Schneider and com
manded him that he build roads Where
upon the King looked at the Wise
men and laughed aloud Now when the
wise men saw the King laugh aloud
they understood it not. And one OF
them arose, and said unto Nero:
" Prithee, Nero, why laughest thou
Didst thou not quit $4,000 job, anC
now with thy name off the payroll thor
canst be gay and smile upon uslp
And Nero arose and looked at tn,
wise mer> And wher ne had looked al
them he laughed agan. And as he
laughed he placed the first finger OF
his left hand against the side of his
nose and Informed them thusly: "Ncv
er mind little Willie. I'm going in tho
Bridge Busness.' Having thus spok
en-, Nero went his way.
CHAPTER III.
Na,V In 4tnco Jo,,,