... Cupid and the
Tree Warden
A portly Cape Codder, while in the midst of his political campaign for the position of local tree warden, strolled one evening into a tavern in search of relaxation and rest from his campaigning. Nodding affably to the various customers, he noticed among those present a man who was obviously there for a long and festive evening. This brought to mind the intriguing thought that the lady with whom the convivial gentleman was then “keeping company” would probably be at home alone and in a mood to welcome visitors. Our hero, not one to let such a promising opportunity pass him by, made a snap decision and hied himself off to the lady’s house. So Cupid smiled, but, in the offing, trouble brewed.
The other gentleman observed the approach and quick retreat of the political Lothario, became suspicious, and he too left the tavern, only a scant half hour after the departure of his rival. Both male pride and indignation were aroused when he arrived at the lady’s home, for there he found the aspiring town official clad only in his underwear, which even on Cape Cod is not considered correct attire for a social visit.
Stunned by this disregard of convention, the lady’s rather beery protector seized the visitor by the neck and seat of his union suit, and hove him in the direction of the front door.
Now no man likes to walk down Main Street in his underwear on a sharp January night. The tree warden candidate was no exception. He did not depart meekly. He did in fact, give forceful and valiant opposition to the attack of his enraged and indignant adversary. It was quite a battle, and caused a riotous commotion and an alarming collapse of furniture. After a mighty tussle, the defender of the weaker sex and convention found himself the victor, and the politician found himself out on his ear—and in his underwear—in the cold night.
But at this moment of victory, the local constabulary forces, who had been called by the lady in question, arrived on the scene. As the minion of the law marched away with the wildly gesticulating and indignant attacker, the underwear-clad politician, who was brushing twigs and snow off his union suit, called out, “Hi boys! Don’t forget I’m running for tree warden!”