I come to you first, an' I was the first to say I'd make you a present, an' you ought to pass that ordinance anyhow.

But to shut up this thing right here an' now, I'll do this: if you'll say you'll pas that ordinance like I want, so Skinner'll have to buy them four nickel-plated fire-extinguishers that Miss Briggs owns, at twenty-five dollars each, I'll give you four bushels of Benoni apples, two bushels of Early Rose potatoes, four bunches of celery, a peck of peas, and one spring chicken.

And if you won't" he added, raising his hand threateningly, "I'll go to them six councilmen, an' I'll graft 'em one at a time, an' THEN where 'll your boss grafter be?
You can't help yourself." "Say!" he exclaimed, "ain't I a boss grafter?
Apples, potatoes, celery, peas, and chickens! Five grafts for one ordinance! I do it!" "An' don't you say nothing about it," warned the Colonel.
The Colonel thought there would be no harm in making a little commission for himself on the deal.

It was not as if he had done nothing to earn it.

He would have to furnish the produce for the mayor's "graft," and he had secured the services of Toole free of fees, and he was doing Miss Sally a good turn into the bargain.