HOME LIFE OF POET SAMUEL WOODWORTH
The Author of the Old
Oaken Bucket Loved
Music.
HE PLAYED THE FLUTE.
Family Reminiscences by One
of His Daughters In
This City.
HISTORY OF A FAMOUS PICTURE
Lydla Reeder Woodworth.tho Poet's
Gifted Wife, Died In San
Francisco.
Hov7 dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view !
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood,
And every loved spot which my infancy knew.
The wide-spreading pond and the mill that stood by it.
The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell;
The cot of my father, the dairy-house nigh it,
And c'en the rude bucket that hung in the well—
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket which hung in the well.
That moss-covered vessel I hailed as a treasure,
For often at noon, when returned from the field,
I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure,
The purest and sweetest that nature can yield.
How ardent I seized it, with hands that were slowing,
And quick to the white-pebbled bottom it fell,
Then soon, with the emblem of truth overflowing,
And dripping with coolness it rose from the well —
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket, arose from the well.
How sweet from the green mossy briir. to receive it,
As poised on the curb it inclined to my lips !
Not a full blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it,
The brightest that beauty or revelry sips.
And now, far removed from the loved habitation,
The tear of regret will intrusively swell,
As fancy reverts to my father's plantation,
And sighs for the bucket that hangs in the well—
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket that hangs in the well !
The "Old Oaken Bucket" story published j
in yesterday's Call, and the sketch of the |
mausoleum in Lone Mountain Cemetery,
where the remains of the illustrious poet
repose, attracted much more than passing
notice. Many copies of the Call were
sent to Eastern literary societies, and j
many inquiries were made for further in- ■
formation on the subject. In Boston every
effort has been made to ascertain the I
whereabouts of the original manuscript of I
the "Old Oaken Bucket."
J. B. Harrison, in a two-column article in '
the Boston Transcript published some '
months since, said:
"Last summer while in Scituate, in my j
quest for public holdings in the shore
towni of Massachusetts, I saw the well of !
the -Old Oaken Bucket,' the little old
mil], the pond, and what is left of the
'deep tangled wiHwood,' and other ob- i
jects mentioned in the celebrated poem,
which more than all else that he ever wrote j
or did has given fame to the name of Sam- i
uol Woodworth. I drank of the water and !
found it sweet and cold, and learned that j
many visitors come to see the well in sum- i
mer. It seemed to me that it would be a i
COPY Olf A SKETCH OP THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET HOMESTEAD
MADE BY THE POET, SAMUEL WOODWORTH.
good thing if the place could be marked in
son.c simple and appropriate way and the
well permanently preserved, and that
to iind out what is known or may
be learned regarding the author of
the poem might be a means of interest
ing the people of Massachusetts on these
subjects. * » * An eminent artist
painted a large picture called 'The Old
Oaken Bucket' some years ago, which was
on exhibition for awhile, but I do not re
member where it is now. By some unex
plainable ill fortune all his manuscript
remains appear to have been lost. I hope
somebody can find out more about the
poet Woodworth than I have been able to
learn."
In September, 18a>, the Chicago Inter
Ocean described the old homestead at
Scituate and published some pleasing
reminiscences of the place and the poet,
but did not present the information so
eagerly sought by a world of readers.
Last evening Mrs. James S. Wetfcered
of 2109 Pacific avenue accorded to the Call
an interview. She is one of the. two sur
viving children of the celebrated poet, but
wbb only seven years old when her father
died. Her recollections of the poet as an
invalid in his study are quite distinct. She
calls to mind many pleasant hours spent
at the Pearl-street home in New York. He
had previously lived on Duane street and
there wrote the "Old Oaten Bucket,"
which had made him famous before he
died. She throws much light on the great
painting of the "Old Oaken"" Bucket," which
the Boston Transcript mentioned as hav
ing been exhibited '"some years ago."
Mrs. Wethered said: " "The portrait
which you see there of my father was
painted by Jerome Thomas. " The picture
was one of the lirst that the artist painted.
My father . recognized in him the genius of
an artist and encouraged him to paint. He"
painted the original "Old Oaken Bucket"
picture, which is now, as I believe, in
England, but 1 cannot give you the name
of the owner. It was painted about ISMS,
and was exhibited in Boston and other
leading cities. The exhibitors realized
some $125,000 from its exhibition. In Bos
ton it created great public interest. Many
of those who saw it visited the old home
stead and brought home bottles of water
from the well. The picture, I am sure,
went to England.
"Now, as to the original manuscript of
the 'Old Oaken Bucket,' which the Call is
so anxious to locate, I believe it is also in
England. As my recollection goes, my
brother, Frederick A. "Woodworth, left all
my father's manuscripts in the house of
Charles Morris of Brooklyn, N. V., in
1865. This Morris was no relative to
George P. Morris, who wrote the introduc-
tion to one edition of my father's poems,
and who spoke of my mother as 'a sug
gestive body,' a term "which is not pleas
ing to me. Our family never sold my
father's papers, but I fancy that my
brother, Frederick A. Woodworth, r.eij
lected to examine them closely, and that
'The Old Oaken Bucket' was found
among forgotten or cast-aside documents
in the Morris house and sold by some one
to an English purchaser. I have heard
that the manuscript brought $5000.
"My father," continued Mm. Wethered,
"was a charming reader, and read Shakes
peare to his children. He was also very
fond of music, and played the flute, guitar
and violin.
"You ask Hbout my mother, at whose
suggestion the 'Old Oaken Bucket' poem
was written. Yes. she was an American
girl, and her maiden name was Lydia
Iteeder. The portrait of her which "vo'ti
see there was painted by Giovanni Thomp
son. The union of my father and mother
was perfect in every respect They were
one in thought and sentiment. She en
couraged George P. Morris, who was a boy
in my father's printing office, to write, as
he manifested so great an ambition to be
come a poet. He would write at home even
ings, and she would correct his writings. My
mother was an ideal blonde and had the
most gorgeous blonde hair, which fell to
her knees. At the age of (59 her hair was
as luxuriant as ever, and there was not a
semblance of gray in it. After my father's
death she always wore a widow's cap.
"My mother died in 1880, and a singular
occurrence I will relate; I was in New
York on my wedding trip when she died.
One evening I linished some letters to go
by the steamer to her and my brother
Fred. 1 had just dozed on the lounge, when
I was startled by the thought that my
mother was dead. I said so aloud and my
sister said, 'Nonsense, Mary, you are
dreamirrg.' I felt so positive that 1 took
one of the letters to Fred and wrote on'the
envelope outside: 'I am sure that mother
died this evening, 7 naming the hour, and
placed ihe envelope in another one. Mv
brother Fred secured it at the Union Club,
and reading the outside inscription. turned
and handing it to a companion, said, 'Am'
I dream ing— read this.' Tne return mail
brought me tidings that mv mother
died the evening and the hour that
I named in the envelope in New York. I
am not a spiritualist and do not attempt to
explain this as a coincidence or a vision.
The last words she said before she died
were: "Where is Mary? 1 want to tell
her that I am going to her father."
The remains of the beautiful and devoted
wife of the poet rest with those oi her
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1895.
illustriona husband in Lone Mountain
Cemetery.
The picture presented in the Call to-day
is copied from a sketch of the "old home
stead" at Scituatc, made by Samuel Wood
worth.
FREITAS DIVORCE SUIT.
A Malicious Cross-Complaint Answered
by the^Original Plain
tiff.
Mrs. Ada M. Freitas has filed an amended
complaint through her attorneys, Delmas
and Sbortridge and J. H. Long, to the
answer and cross-complaint of her hus
band. M. T. Freitas, to her original com
plaint. The answer and cross-complaint
of her husband, she claims, was cruel and
unjust, and without any basis for the
charge besides his own malice, accused her
of unbecoming conduct and has thereby
caused her great humiliation. She says
the charges lie made in his cross-complaint
are scandalous and entirely without foun
dation, and charges that they are made
merely for the purpose of injuring her
reputation in the eyes of the public and
with her friends.
The former charges of cruelty which she
brought against her husband are repeated
in the amended complaint, and she prays
for the same relief—divorce and $500 a
month alimony and a distribution of the
community property.
EMPRESS FREDERICK AT HOME.
She Is a Charming Woman, and Has a
!'.» ■urn iti:l Home.
I was absorbed in looking at the grace
fully shaped chairs and couches, lovely
carpets, the tapestry on the walls ana all
the countless objects of interest which
filled the spacious apartment, when sud
denly, without a moment's warning from
either official or attendant, the Empress,
accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, ap
proached. Her Majesty was attired in a
well-fitting plain black dress, the material
of which 1 could not quite determine, and
a becoming garden hat of the same dark
hue. 1 noticed that, save for earrings of
smoked pearls, she was without any orna
ment of jewelry, though 1 subsequently
learned that when en gr&nde tcnuo her
display of precious stones is something
wonderful. 1 confess 1 should hardly have
recognized our former Princess Royal
from the port raits of her usually seen* in
London, for she looked so much younger
than they represent her. No sooner did
she begin to converse than 1 was struck
by a "certain likeness to the Prince of
Wales, especially about the eyes when she
smiled.
The Empress' manner is charming; one
instantly leela at ease in her presence; and
her keen appreciation and quick under
standing of all that she hears are instant
ly apparent in the varrying and sympa
thetic tones of her pleasant voice.
At the termination of the interview I
was permitted to see something of the
castle before I left. The finely propor
tioned dining-room particularly impressed
me, with its splendid mantelpiece, over
which was a bust of the lute Emperor, and
the music gallery at the end of ihe room.
The table happened to be laid ready for
luncheon, and I had time to notice that
its decorations — chiefly masses of roses in
silver bowls— looked exquisite. Thence I
was taken into a large apartment in
which were glass cases all around the
walls, filled with every kind of antique
objects of art in metal, wood, ivory and
china, such as one sees at South Ken
sington.
Tne great drawing-room pleased me im
mensely—lighted by lofty windows over
looking the terrace. Green tapestry cov
ered the walls etc., of, 1 think, the Louis
XV period, being arranged in groups, all
in strict harmony with the architecture of
the salon; while the fine center carpet of a
predominant red color set off the uphol
stery to perfection. I simply walked
through the spacious library, but I could
have spent a week there in closely examin
ing pictures, medals, coins, rare engrav
ings and her Majesty's selected collection
of well-read books. I was then al'owed just
to peep into the private rooms upstairs —
the guest chambers — where I saw that no
two chairs seemed to be exactly the same,
either in shape or color. Her Imperial
Majesty's boudoir and bedroom en suite
looked south and commanded lovely views
of the distant mountains.
As I walked back to the station through
the beautiful grounds I carried away with
me a general "but confused recollection of
room after room at Friedrichshof, each fur
nished in different fashion, but everywhere
some valuable example of the cabinet
maker's art, or some priceless work of
looms long since silent, and I shall never
forget the sense of coolness in the wide cor
ridors, in delicious contrast with the heat
outside, and the prevailing sensation of
order and English regularity. Friedrichs
hof is by no means in an isolated position,
standing aJoof in solitary grandeur from
the rest of the world. There are charming
villas dotted about the hillsides in every
direction, and one very tine mansion is
close to the grounds of the Schloss, though
not inconveniently so. At the rear are the
romantic-looking ranges of the Taunus
Mountains, the scene of many a legend and
tale of the past. In the nursery garden I
had just time to glance at the hothouses,
where a fine display of begonias and roses
delighted me, and a special house where
most tempting-looking peaches were flour
ishing. — ht. James Gazette.
His Services Sat Needed.
I was standing at the end of the depot
platform when a little old woman drove up
with an ox harnessed to a cart, and, hand
ing the rope lines to a little colored boy
who was Loafing around, she came up the
stej.s and asked :
'"I)o yon own this yere railroad, sah?"
"No, ma'am, I don't."
"Is the critter around yerc who owns
this yere railroad?"
"There's a critter inside there, but I
think he's only employed by the man who
owns the road."
"Stranger," she said, after looking me
over, "will yo' back a lone wkkler to git
justice?"
"How back yon?"
"This yere railroad has run over one o'
my hogs and won't pay for him. I've
come down to get six bits fur that hog or
turn loose on somebody! I'll walk up to
the critter inside and demand my money.
He won't pay and I'll tackle him. Will
yo' hack me to see a far fout?"
"Why you are a woman, and shouldn't
think of having a row with a man," I re
plied.
"Never yon mind about my bein' a
woman, stranger! It's six bits or I tackle
him, hut it'll help me along to know yo'
ar' behind me. Will yo' do it, or see me
git licked and lose my cash to boot?"
I said J'd sei; fair play and went in
her. She walked up to the station master,
and spat on her hands and said; "Yo'
know about that hog! It's six bits or I'll
light on to yo' !"
"Why, Mrs. Ramsay, I don't own the
railroad !" lie protested.
•'Six bits or a tackle!" she replied.
"I'll send your claim up to headquarters
to be acted on. 1 '
"Stranger, hold my sun bonnet, and
don't let him gouge my eyes nor pull my
ha'r!" she said, as she untied the strings
Now then— "
"Here's your six*bits," he said, as he
handed out three quarters.
"Thankee. Good money, is it? That
squar's the hog an' thar' won't be no font.
I just reckoned thar' was a way to git at a
railroad, but I didn't exactly know how
'twas done. 9 '
I went out to see her into the cart and as
she got seated siie extended her hand and
said :
"Stranger, I was p. lone widder and
wanted backin' and vo' backed me. I ain't
a woman as kin shed tears nor irit off big
words, but my airnest wish is that the
Lawd may dun hey mercy on yo'r soul—
amen— g'lang, Sal!"— Detroit Free Press.
An electric gun capable of fifing 700 to
1000 shots per minute, without the use of
any other power than electricity, has been
invented by A. S. Krotz of Springfield,
Ohio.
BY THE FORCE OF ARMS
How the Knights of the Red
Branch Propose to Free
Ireland.
WOLFE TONE ANNIVERSARY.
Patriotic Speeches by Rev. Father
McManr., Ex-Judge Cooney and
Others.
The one hundred and thirty-first, anni
versary of the birth of "Wolfe Tone, the
Irish patriot, was celebrated by the
Knights of the Red Branch in an enthusi
astic and patriotic manner last night at
the hall of the order, corner of Mason and
O'Farrell streets. Although all such occa
sions have in the past been marked by the
display of that warm spirit for which the
sons of Erin are noted, that feeling seemed
to bubble over last evening and the senti
ments of love for the old country were
unusually effusive.
The main feature of the anniversary waa
a banquet, the tables being spread in the
large hall which had been appropriately
decorated for tne occasion. Looking down
upon the festal board was a life-size oil
painting of the Irishman in honor of whose
memory the affair was held. It was en
twined with a festoon of ivy leaves.
The banquet tables were loaded with
stands of biossonis and evergreens, making
a very pretty effect among the glittering
array of cut glass and other adornments.
Each guest wore a spray of green in his
buttonhole. There were 200 guests.
The menu cards were dainty affairs, in
green, red and gold.
W, B. Halligan, who is the president of
the Knights of the Red Branch, opened
the speechmaking by delivering an ad
dress upon the welfare of the order. He
referred to its principles of devotion to the
interests of Ireland and its fixed determi
nation to do everything possible toward
treeing the Emerald Isle from the thrall
dom of England's tyranny.
The order is a strong one, and it was
eager to receive into fellowship all true
friends of Ireland. He hoped that the
success of the past would be continued in
the future, and that each and every mem
ber would sec to it that every friend who
did not belong to the order joined it. In
the new movement that was to be inaugu
rated ever3'thin<r depended on strength.
Captain J. Sheeny of the Knights of the
Red Branch Riries also spoke, and his patri
otic sentiments were loudly applauded,
as were also the remarks of Colonel
O'Brien, who not only spoke upon the
career of Wolfe Tone and his service in be
half of his country, but also dwelt upon
the new movement for the liberation of
Ireland by force of arms.
Father McMann, the chaplain of the K.
R. B. Rifles, made the oration of the even
ing. It was stirring throughout and
evoked loud applause. He said:
We are banded together in a noble and sa
cred cause— the liberation of a country which
has been under the heel of oppression for many
years. Everything has been tried to accom
plish freedom's purposes by parliamentary ac
tion and we, as Irishmen, have waited and
hoped in vain far the desired results.
Bach being the case we must now realize the
fact that a military department to our organi
zation is an essential feature. We want no
sounding brass or tinkling cymbals, but earn
est, determined effort.
Tire day will come when England will be in
volved in dire difficulty. When that day
comes let us be ready to help toward her de
feat. Such must be the object of the rifles, and
let us hope for the day when we shall be cnlled
upon to assemble on the green hills of Ireland
find meet face to lace the enemies of our
country.
f t*may seem strange m me to express such
sentiments, but I know that I stand for the
cause of right, justice and freedom while I
speak.
War is an evil, it is said, but not when it is
for the liberty of a people from the thrallaom
of tyranny. Therefore, when we band to
gether to win Ireland's freedom by force of
arms, we are pledged to carry out our vows
and perform that for which we are banded to
gether.
la it right for us to thus join together? I say
emphatically, yes. [Applause.] we violate no
latos, natior.nl or divine. If a Government
violates the rights of its people the latter are
justified in rejecting such a Government, even
if it necessitates the Dse of arms. And who cmi
say the English Government has not grossly
violated those rights which the Irish people
should have as their prerogative?
There is no reason why the Irish people
should be subservient to England— no, not even
if she is the empress of commerce. That was
her plea in her ellbrt to hold the American
colonies. The world knows the result, and
Ireland must follow the same example. [Ap
plause.]
The laws by which England rules Ireland are
not just in any way. They are accompanied
by unlmly and inhuman persecutions. The
Irish people never consented to her iron rule
but were compelled to bend their heads to the
yoke. This being the case, when they sock to
free themselves they violate no law of God or
of man. It is their right to do It.
Let us inculcate the military spirit in our
young men ami through our order and send
forth from San Francisco an organization equal
in ardor and enthusiasm to those which will
go from our sister States when the opportunity
comes to assert our country's rights. [Ap
plause.] Let us not be lukewarm; let us have
no factious, no divisions. Let all esteem it
their duty to join the Knights of the Red
Branch Rifles *o when the time comes we
will send forth men who will sacrifice every
thing for their old country, and thereby fulfill
the duties both of church and State [Ad
plause.]
Ex-Judge M. Cooney also made a long
address. In the beginning he spoke in a
feeling manner of those members who had
passed away to where there was freedom
lor all. The regret was that they had gone
without witnessing the freedom of the
country in whose interests they had been
banded together. But to the living he
wanted to say that he thought they were
at last on the right road to success.
In the past they have trusted to parlia
mentary leaders who, the speaker did not
doubt, acted as faithfully as they could,
but who bad accomplished nothing for the
cause. Parliamentary legislation had
proved a failure. It now rested with the
Knights of the Red Branch to see that
Ireland was freed, and furthermore they
were going to accomplish it. [Applause."]
Continuing he said :
The fact is Ireland to-day is in a worse con
dition than at any time In the past twentv-iive
years. The spirit of nationalism ha* dwindled
10 a low ebb. It is now the duty of the united
Irishmen of the world to revive the spirit of
true nationalism, not only in the various coun
tries, but in Ireland, so that the new genera
tion will say in tones that will be heard and
understood: "Ireland must and shall bean
independent nation."
Now is the time for the Knights of the Red
Branch to stand up and proclaim this new era.
Let them give England to understand that
Irishmen will sec to it that Ireland's birth
right of freedom shall be restored or they will
die in the attempt to bring it about. The" days
01 talking are over, and now we must have
action. [Applause.] We want every member
of this organization to educate his friends in
this .state who are not in line in regard to this
military movement. We must prepare for
what I can see is bound to come.
Oh, for the day when the offenses of England
will be exposed to the world; when the world
will see what a Government of tyranny she has
been for centuries; when her acts of inhuman
outrage, which she has perpetrated against the
women and children of Ireland nre exnosed.
Why, no measure could ever pass the English
rniliamont bearing upon Irish matters of a so
called relief nature which would offset the in
justice which has been done the Irish people
It only remains now for us to act as one man
I care not whether we be Geraldines, Knights
or what, we nrc all sincerely devoted to the
entire, and physical force is our only salvation
If there is no other way, and there "is none the
force of arms will bring England from her
haughty position, and with loyalty, right and
justice on our side Ireland must and shall ba
free. [Applause.]
The festivities were concluded shortly
after midnight. The speeches were inter
spersed with the singing of patriotic songs
and with recitations.
lileutcnant-Ueneral Schofleld.
Colonel W. R. Smedberg, past department
commander of the Grand Army of the Repub
lic, announces that Lieutenant-General John
M. Schofield, United States army, has desig
nated Saturday evening next for a reception to
the Loj'Rl Lepion. The general also desires
Grand Army posts to be notified that he will be
glad at the same time to meet all of his old
comrades. The reception, simply informal,
will take place in the rotunda of the Palace
Hotel at 9:45 o'clock.
STORIES OF A STAR.
A Theatrical Favorite Tells of a Funny
Incident on the Rail.
All the big theatrical stars are back in
town from their labors on the road. They
are now telling stories of their experiences
the past season and deciding where they
will go for the summer. Some few have
already sailed for Europe, and among them
John Drew.
Mr. Drew was asked just before he sailed
what was the most comic experience he
had had during the season. "I have had
so many," said the only John, "that I
really do not know what was the funniest.
The most interesting, however, was during
the rehearsal of the 'Bauble Shop.' We
had only had a few full rehearsals.
"Everybody was studying hard and try
ing to be perfect, and anybody who knows
Joe Humphreys knows what that means
with the Frohman forces. The second or
third full rehearsal I was not well. In
fact, quite ill with a bilious attack, and
sent word that I could not get around.
About 2 o'clock, however, I did go to the
theater and heard the rehearsal. I heard
some one going through my scenes letter
perfect, and it was an imitation of my
voice. I went up to the prompt entrance
and looked out. Bless me. if it wasn't one
of the scholars from a dramatic school,
who had been engaged to do a small bit.
He had a good memory and was onto
every line. He was my imderstudy in the
piece, and had I at any time fallen down
he could have gone on. I do not care to
mention his name, because he would not
like it. But it was a great bit of work
from the standpoint of memory."
Among those who will not go to Euror.*.
is W. 11. Crane. When the summer gets
thoroughly started the comedian com
mences to long for Cohassetand the yacht.
From the close of the season until rehears
als commence he is but seldom seen in
New York, and then tanned like a South
Sea Islander. Mr. Crane says the funniest
thing on earth to him is his press agent.
"Why deny," says he, "that I have a press
agent, and it is his business to get up
fanny experiences? I have had no real
funny experiences this season — that is to
me. They have been faun; to other people.
Coming from Boston to "New York about
two months ago, I had one that was ex
cruciatingly funny to everybody but me.
"The cars were fairly weJl liHed up, and
my seat was near a woman with a baby.
The baby kept calling me 'poopa, poopa,'
so I turned my back on it, and Joe Brooks
quietly called my attention to it, saying,
'wise child' and some other things. The
baby, however, insisted tljat I was its
papa. It kept it up, then it cried to come
to me.
"The mother kept saying, 'That isn't
your papa, darling.' I felt like saying,
'Thank yon, madam,' but I didn't. Finally
it cried so hard that I had to take it.
After I had it I couldn't get rid of it. A
member of the company succeeded in in
ducing the lady to leave the car for awhile,
and insisted on showing her the scenery.
Poor woman, she was toki that the child
was sleeping quietly in a seat, and she re
mained away two hours. Every little while
I would send word to her that her baby
was still with me and needed her. I gave
the brakeman and porter money to find the
woman. They 'were rettnped not to do so,
and in the midst of it I was kodaked by
every member of the company. When the
woman returned for the child she was hor
rified, and I, of course, could not say any
thing. Now, that was funny to everybody
but me. lam going to spend the summer
at Cohasset. and will put in most of the
time yachting."— New York Journal.
THE SMALLEST ARTILLERIST
Though Not an Inch Long He Fired a
Big Gun.
Cape Town. South Africa, claims the
honor of giving birth to the smallest
creature ever known to become a gunner
in the lloyal Artillery, or any other
artillery in the whole world. At the
Castle, Cape Town, there is a magnifi
cent gun worked by electricity, used
for giving the midday and evening
time. One fine day all the military and
civilians in Cape Town were aston
ished to hear the gun gooff at 10:30 in
the morning, an hour ana a half before the
proper time. 12 being the usual hour for
tiring. Messengers came from the general
commanding the station, the brigade
major, commanding otticers of each regi
ment and battery stationed in Cape Town,
and from everybody interested ; but the
answer was that no person had been near
the gun, nor had anybody interfered with
the wires, battery or source from which it
was fired. All the officers were fearfully
puzzled at the extraordinary occurrence,
but could give no explanation whatever.
The general in command of the station
became furious and said that there was
mismanagement somewhere, and gave
orders for a Btrict search to be made by the
officials for the guilty party, says the New
York World.
Search was made, but nothing re
sulted to throw any light on the extra
ordinary affair, although the greatest
possible pains were taken to solve the
mystery. They had practically given
the search up when suddenly the news
came from the officials stating that the
culprit had been caught and arrested.
It seems the electric current for
firing off the gun is supplied by the
Royal Observatory of Cape Town and
goes there by means of an instrument
known as the" relay that is in the central
telegraph office of the station, the dis
tance being about 500 yards. The action
of the current going through the instru
ment's main moves a sort of light
tongue, which is very finely set, so tine
that the leaßt little thing would affect it.
This forces the current directly into what
they term the time fusees, which have the
power of firing the gun at the castle.
On oxamining the instrument one of the
officials found a big brown spider inside.
It appears that while having an exploring
trip aronnd the instrument the unfortu
nate spider must have touched tnis tongue
sufficiently to move it, and consequently it
fired off the gun. The general command
ing the station sent the spider to the Cape
Town Museum, where he is now to be seen
with a card underneath him entitling him
the "Little Gunner," and giving a full ac
connt of his adventuie with tlie Cape Town
midday time gun, which proved his last
adventure, however.
HOW HE AVERTED RUIN
By Sprinkling His Old White Hat With
Water.
Several years ago there was a long dry
spell along about the time when corn needs
a big drink every day. The price of the
cereal kept mounting upward, and at last
reached a point where a certain bear
trader, who had sold large quantities for
future delivery before the advance began,
was about at the end of his rope. Margins
had been called on him several times, and
another cent advance meant ruin, because
he could not secure another dollar. The
drought continued, but the bears were
sniffing the air every minute with the hope
that rain would come. There were pre
dictions of showers, but the actual water
held back. This bear trader knew that
something must be done or he would "go
broke" before the day was over.
Suddenly a happy inipiration seized him.
He quietly slipped out to the washroom,
and, avoiding the notice cf any one'
sprinkled his old white hat with water!
Hushing, into the corn pit he nourished
the sprinkled hat wildly over his head and
yelled :
•'She's come, boys. It's beginning to rain.
Look at that hat !"
There was a tremendous rnsh to sell corn.
Everybody thought the drought had heen
broken, and there was no time to question
the evidence so suddenly sprung. Corn
broke a cent, and the trader who knew how
to make rain without any dynamite was
saved from being a ruined man.
SOUTH SIDE IMPROVEMENT
The Organization of a New
Club That Will Demand
Better Streets.
GOOD SEWERS AND PAVEMENTS.
It Will Carry Into Effect Sugges
tions That Have Been Made
by the "Call."
The South Side Improvement Club, hav
ing for its purpose the advancement of the
district south of Market street and east of
Eighth, and the betterment of the princi
pal streets as suggested by the Call a few
months since, was organized last evening
in the lecture-room of the Home of the
Good Samaritan Society, 249 Second street.
The leader cf the movement is Dr. T. A.
Rottanzi, who issued the call for a meet
ing, to which quite a number of the resi
dents of the district responded. After
Dr. Rottanzi had briefly stated the objects
for which those present had been called
together, he was chosen temporary chair
man and J. Schwartz was chosen to act as
temporary secretary.
Upon the suggestion of one of those
present the chairman appointed a com
mittee consisting of B. E. Cole, I. Erb, J.
T. Sullivan and It. Burns to arrange for
future meetings and interest property
owners and residents of the district in the
work the club contemplates undertaking.
The chairman dwelt upon the necessity of
many improvements in the south side. He
called attention to the bad condition of
the streets, saying:
In the south side wo are troubled by traffic.
I mean that there is very heavy traffic on our
streets with wagons and trucks that curry im
mense loads that cut up und destroy the pave
ments. We have ordinances that regulate the
weight that can be carried on trucks and the
width of tires, but the trouble is that no one
gees to their enforcement, fo trucks with l
inch tires carry loads weighing from ten to
twelve tons, which will ruin the very best
pavement ever laid. We want good .streets;
we want good sewers, and something ought to
be done as was done in Los Angeles; that,
is, sewer, pas and water connections ought to
be made before the surface is paved, i.o that
the pavement need not be taken up every few
days to do some necessary work underneath it.
G. W. Owen, a member of the Half
million Club and secretary of the Fourth
of July committee, addressed the club on
the subject of illuminating the south side
for several nights, and suggested that that
would be one step in the advancement of
the south side. He advised the club to
send a strong committee to a meeting to
be held to-morrow in the Mills building to
discuss a proposition to illuminate the
City and demand that the south side have
its share of the illumination.
President Rottanzi suggested that the
southsiders demand both the illumination
and a sight of the procession for their dis
trict.
Messrs. Schwartz, Elliott and Maguire
were named a committee to select five busi
ness men from each of the following streets
to wait on the Fourth of July committee
and make the demand: First, Second,
Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth.
It was suggested that after a permanent
organization had been effected an execu
tive committee be named, and its duty
should be to show what is required in the
district, present these requirement to the
authorities and a>k, if necessary, the issu
ance of bonds to pay for needed improve
ments.
An adjournment was then taken to
Irish-American Hall, at 8 o'clock, on next
Monday night.
An Interesting l'aby.
She hfd a seat in a Michigan-.". venue car,
with a baby on her lap and all bundled up
in an old shawl. A woman next to her with
two small children seemed to have con
siderable curiosity about that baby, and
after trying several times to get a sight of
its face she said :
"Haven't you got your child bundled up
a good deal lor this weather?"
"But I have to keep him warm, ma'am,"
was the reply.
"For what reason?"
"The doctor told me to."
"Then the poor little thing is ailing?"
"Just a little ailing, ma'am — just a little.
He's got measles with the mumps atop of
it, but the doctor says he's growing — "
No one heard the rest of her words.
There were four or live mothers and six or
seve:i children in the car, and there was a
stampede which took them all out and
everybody else as well. When the car
rolled on again the woman with the baby
looked at the conductor inquiringly and
asked:
"Has anything broke clown or blown up
or run off the track to scare 'em all out?"
— Detroit Free Press.
A self-propelling bicycle is a Swedish in
vention. It is run by a little gasoline
motor.
7t .^wt
KNOWLEDGE
Brings comfort and improvement and
tends to personal enjoyment when
I rightly used. The many, who live bet- ■
: ter than other 3 and enjoy life more, with
I less expenditure, by more promptly
! adapting the world's best products to
the needs of physical being, will attest \
the value to health of the pure liquid
laxative principles embraced in the
remedy, By rup of Figs. ,:.,"."
Its excellence is due to its presenting
in the form most acceptable and pleas-
, ant to the taste, the refreshing and truly
■ beneficial properties of a perfect lax-
! ative; effectually cleansing the system
; dispelling colds, headaches and fevers
i and permanently curing constipation.
| It has given satisfaction to millions and
i met with the approval of the medical
| profession because it nets on the Kid-
neys, Liver and Bowels without weak-
ening them and it is perfectly free from,
! every objectionable substance.
Syrup of Figs is for sale by all drug*
| gists in 50c and Si bottles, but it is man-
I ufactured by the California Fig Syrup
Co.only, whose name is printed on every
package, also the name, Syrup of Figs,
I and being well informed, you will not;
accept any substitute if offereu.
/ONE YEAR BORROWS ANOTHER YEAR'S FOOL."
YOU DIDN'T USE
LAST YEAR. PERHAPS YOU WILL NOT THIS YEAR.
KEWTO-DAX.
HAVE EVERYTHiNG
NEEDED FOR
CAMPING OR TRAVELING
Shawl Straps $ 25
Leather Club Bags 1 00
| Gladstone Traveling Bags 2 50
Shoulder Bags 2 00
Twine Bags 25
Tourist Knife and Fork Sets In Full
Variety ; ~\; '. "
Pocket Flasks 75
Collapsing Cups 25
Wood Pie Plates 10 per dozen
Paper Napkins 15 perflOO
Tin Cups 05
Coffee Pots .';.. 10
Tin Flasks 10
Alcohol Stoves 15
Coal Oil Stoves CO
Knivesand Forks 05 each
Teaspoons 10 perdozea
Tablespoons -"> per dozen
Corkscrews 10 each
Straw or Canvas Hats '25
Outing Shirts 50
Three-Jointed Fish Poles :... 10
Gutted Fish Hooks.. • 10 perdozea
BlngedHooks ..... 10 per 100 v
Telescope Baskets 15
Splint Baskets 05
Fine Mexican Grass Hammocks.. 1 00
Croquet Sets 75
Camp Stools 25
Steamer Chairs ». 75
Electrical Construction and Repairing
of All Kinds. Estimates Given.
Special attention given to Sporting
Goods and Barber .Supplies.. Razors*
Shears and Knives ground and repaired.
818-820 Market Street
Pholau Bull ding.
Factory— SO First Street.
Do You Want
Manhood?
DO YOU WISn TO RECOVER THAT WHICH
U you have lost by sins of the past ? Early ex-
cesses, exposure and bad habits have wasted the
vital powers of millions. No: more than one man
In fifty is what Nature intended him. to be. The
swift pace of this generation Is weakening our man-
hood. Do your part and recoup your lost powers.
y^J/, ■!>>■£/* ytfr'/'S Give your future
u(JsWcffiJ\?*U?feQA c eenerations a
W^W/^^^^fj^% stTOne ' vi?oroU9
««rDR!SAN DC NSi^^'j healthy in mind
I^^ELCCTRIC BflJ^^j and body. A weak
VAmt^^^7^?^>pT\P^ parent begets a
nl&^tQ§lfiXj^£2r& weaker child. Re-
"^?Qß^!2»M^>S*iP > ' place the vigor In
** '»*»** • your . system and
make your manhood perfect by building. up the
vital forces with Dr. Sanden's Electric Belt and
Suspensory. Electricity is life. Send for the poc-
ket edition of Dr. Sanden's celebrated work "Three
Classes of Men," by mail, sealed, free.
. DR. SANDKN'S ELECTRIC BELT
Cares nervous debility, loss of memory, lamebaclr, -
rheumatism, kidney and bladder troubles, indiges-
tion, vital weakness, varlcocele and ailments re-
sulting from excesses, exposure, overwork, etc.
$5000 will be forfeited if the current cannot b«
felt immediately upon charging it. Warranted fat
years.
SANSEN ELECTRIC CO.,
Council Building:, Portland, Or.'
The Host riiserabie Han.
"The most miserable man Is the one
who is all the time * anxious about his
health."
Use Palne's Celery Compound and keep
well and strong. It is not like ordinary
| remedies— it Is medicine. Try it.
CONTRA COSTA
WaterCo.Bonds
WILL BE PAID BY
THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA
UPOX PRESENTATION OX AND AFTER
J date of their maturity, July 1, 1895, after
which date interest will cease.
Holders of above bonds who have subscribed ' to
an agreement to exchange for the new issue of
bonds by the same company are notified that the
exchange will be made upon presentation at the
Bank of California on and after the 20th of June.
1895.
The Bank of California.
TIIOS. BROWN, Cashier.
1000
LETTER HEADS
$3.00.
SEND FOR SAMPLES.
PACIFIC PRINTING CO.,
543 Clay Street, S. F.
&ffo»&B«eTCbTA.Nso Bt DEWEY & CO~I
220 Market ST., 8. F., Cau I
5