The Member and the Soap

A member of the Kansas Legislature was walking by when he encountered a peculiar object: a cake of soap. He initially passed it without acknowledgment, but the cake of soap insisted on stopping to shake hands.

Thinking that perhaps the soap was a metaphor for enjoying the elective franchise, he offered a cordial and earnest handshake. However, when he released his grip, he noticed that a portion of the soap had adhered to his fingers. Alarmed, he rushed to a nearby brook to wash it off.

In his haste, he inadvertently got some soap on his other hand as well. After thoroughly washing both hands, he looked down to find them so white that he decided to go to bed and summoned a physician for assistance.