Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-06-13
Emperor NOrton--Buin
and Lazarus.
SAN FRAxcIsco, May ;, 1868.
FROM JAY wHIPPLE.

ton become intimately identified with
the established institutions of the city,
In San Francisco there are three promi-
nent Beiqgs that are TO be daily seen on
Montgomery Street, the great thorou Oh
fare of fashion and wealth.
The first is character whose actions
and conversation present tho melancholy
fact, that By sickness or misfortune his
mind has been wrecked and reason de-
throned, The story runs, that several
years ago he was wealthy, and largely
engaged in the mercantile business; but
as his business speculatious proved IN
fortunate, he lost his money and proper
", aud from this sad calamity his insan-
ity. This man, TO please his own NOR
bid fancy, has assumed the tide of En-
peror, and declared himself the En-
peror Of the United States of North
America" During the day he walks
in the evening, with bis head bowed
down, and is apparently wrapped 10 deep
thought or silent meditation. He is not
oilicious, but always still and peaceaLle;
never speaking to any person unless first
addressed, aud then will often give an
answer incomprehensiblc in its meaning.
Ii is convenient and useful kind OF in
sanity, as his iiiosyncrasies are so well
known he is acknowledged as a priv
legged character" and takes his meals ut
the restaurants, bestowing, as nearly as
possible, an equal amount of patronage
upon each. Sometimes lie is given mo-
ney, with which he pays for his meals
while at other times he neglects to "come
down" with the requisite collateral. He
wears dilapidateI military coat, with
brass buttons and epaulets; carries a
cane, walks rather fast, with n firm and
steady step, to carry the idea that he is
a gentleman Of dignity, possessing thor
ough business habits. He takes his
lunch at noon with commendable regu-
larity, at one of the restaurants, but new
riudulges in any Intoxicating bevera-
ges. Possessing a harmless disposition,
and always minding his "own business"
he has thus made his daily wanderings
from year to year, his face and character
known 10 all the citizens of the city,
while 10 strangers he is pointed out"
as an attractive character of pity and
commisseration.
Besides the Emperor Norton there are
two other noticeable features, to San
Francisco, with names as familiar as
household words they arc the Two
Dogs, and named respectively, hummer
aud Lazarus. hummer, of the two, is
the Oldest iuhabltant, and crossed the
Plains from the Estates" in 81. Short
" after hts arrival Lis master died, and
left him homeless, without friends in
strange land. This was sad blow to
hummer, as his master had always been
kind TO him, and had ever proved to be
bountifnl and Provident master. rs
hummer had received careful educa-
ton and watchful training, he was by no
means an unsophisticated dog. AMI thus
by bis peculiar sagacitv managed to pro-
cure m honorLIo livelihood.
For two or three years lie lived in the
city, roaming from place TO place, with
out master and destitute OF home.
but considered BY all with whom he came
in contact, rs respectable and very SUI
perior dog. As lie was walking out one
Sunday morning, in search Of his break.
fast. while turning the corner of Clay
and Montgomery Streets, bis attention
was attract, d by number of his species
that were fighting and swapping at poor
dog, whose rerdancy and frightened APP
pearaDce ut once told hummer that be
was stranger in the city, and Ike poor
dog Tray, had been caught in bad COM
pany.
hummer IS brave, pow erful, heavy
dorg," (but ho never oyerlates his
strength and when seeing these wicked,
miserable ours that were all so indiscrimi-
nately biting this poor, unprotected dog
from the country, his pity was touched,
his magnaniniiy was aroused, and Bum
mer rushed 10 the rescue. After a brief.
but spirited encounter, the whole bevy of
attacking dogs were driven in confusion
from the spot, and there lay poor Laza
rus bleeding at every pore.
Lazarus, realizing the critical condi-
ton out of which he had Just escaped
through the timely assistance of his pre-
server, turned eyes of gratitue towards
hummer. Since this remarkable event
fhav- haya baap v-,rpo f.;on1- -