Back when I had just presented a budget to Town Meeting, I walked outdoors for fresh air. Stin Davis greeted me, asking "Is there a jackass in that budget?"

"I've never been asked that in all my budgeting days," I told him.

"Well," said Capt. Davis, "when I sold my ship's cargo in Mediterranean ports, I used to hire a jackass to transport me to possible buyers.

I remember the day I got to New York City and presented my accounts to the shipping clerk, who, after examining them, said to me: ' Captain Davis, everything seems O.K. except for your jackass rental. We cannot reimburse you for that.'

Well, you know when I sold off the next cargo and presented my accounts to that clerk, he looked them over and said, 'Captain Davis everything is O.K. and I'm glad I don't see a jackass in this billing.'

He paid me off, and as I left, I said to him, 'I know you didn't see any jackass in that billing, but the jackass is there, sir.'"