The Mayor's Lamps

The Mayor's Lamps is a satirical novel written by American author John Kendrick Bangs. The story revolves around a small town mayor named Rufus B. Peckham, who is obsessed with the idea of installing electric street lamps in his town. However, due to his lack of funds, he is forced to resort to unconventional methods to raise money for the project.Peckham decides to hold a charity auction, where he puts up various items for sale, including a pair of antique lamps that he claims once belonged to George Washington. However, things take a hilarious turn when it is revealed that the lamps are actually cursed and possess the power to grant wishes.As the townspeople begin to make wishes on the lamps, chaos ensues, and Peckham finds himself in the middle of a political scandal. The novel is a humorous commentary on the absurdity of politics and the dangers of unchecked power.The Mayor's Lamps was first published in 1904 and is considered one of Bangs' most popular works. It has been adapted into various stage productions and continues to be a favorite among readers who enjoy satirical fiction.THIS 32 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: The Booming of Acre Hill and Other Reminiscences of Urban and Suburban Life, by John Kendrick Bangs. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1417915137.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.