Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-06-17
THE POISONED PICKLE.
A Thrilling Tale of Misplaced Con-
ITNH'lf VI fdenee.


Loud mirth and wassail resounded
throughout the subterranean hall, and
the rude revelers, seated at numerous
small tables, feasted right merrily.
The storm ragged fearfully without,
and the houseless wanderer, cursing
the elements and his own impecuniosity,
hied TO some friendly station-house for
shelter
But the, banquet went on. From out
polished reservoir Of tin poured forth
rich streams Of the enlivening fluid
made from burnt beans, while mounds
of buttered cakes found their way down
the gaping gullets of the hungry con-
sumers.
Twas a coffee and cake cellar in Mas
sau street.
The nnkempt waiter in saffron-colored
linen and bad cold which affected his
speech and made his nose run, rushed
hither and thither, respondingto numer-
GUS calls, almost frantic; for some Of
these demands were sarcastic-some
even injuriously abusive. ~ e-
"Say, Nosey, why don't yer go and let
yerself to soap-hiler--s,a-y?
Cup O coffee and nine doughnutsW
"Plate O beans and don't stop to
count bloody beanI" tG
"Slice O bread cut with hammy
knife to give it aavorl'
"Three cent plate O fried liver, wild
six knives and forks.
Large. pair of nippers to haul dis
ere cockroach out of my coffee?"
With such ebullitions Of playful wit
did the jocund revelers beguile the mid
night hours. Most of these factious
knaves were newsboys waiting for the
morning editions; but here and there
jour. printer sat in frowning silence,
getting away with his mudgeon," or a
ghastly reporter or sub-editor hung
dreamily over his repast, wishing himself
abed. Perchance, too, some hummer,
looming in a remote corner, glared saw
agely upon the vaids he could not share,
and endcavored to escape the eagle eye
of the landlord, who might have booted
him from that festal hall had he seen
the stampless outcast.
Suddenly, there entered a noble
stranger, who shook the rain-drops from
his doublet and surveyed the scene with
calm disdain.
The scorn of this man was terrible; It
withered, choked, Aoored; it bounded
from his lightning eyes like crushing
curse2 i.4 UtU
All present quailed.
Silence reigned.
The stranger was attired in the pic
turesque costume of a Mulberry street
bandit-slouched hat, patched pants,
soleless boots and no shirt A sardonic
smile was frozen on his lips, and both
his eyes were in mourning.
Flinging himself heavily into seat.
he smote the table thrice with his mailed
hand-for rag covered his knuckles,
after some street broil.
The waiter stood on his guard, and
the landlord counted his pewter spoons.
SlavesW cried the stranger, in tone
of terrific thunder" Dost thou know
me? Hal hal | am the Skulking Pill
ferer of the Sixth Ward, and my names
Maginnisl Go and ask the first police
man We meet, and he will, with white
lips, tell ye of my deeds. Many fence
have / scaled to purloin damp linen from
a clothes-line; many a reclining snoozer
have gone through; from many a Grip
pied beggar have | wrenched the last
oain. Ye shall know me, and fear me,
tool Yet, am but human, and would
eat. Methinks, as my funds are low, /
could munich a cracker and pickle.
Laggards, bestir yourselves, or with this
knightly hand will | wipe you over the
jaw"
The food was brought and the stranger
ate with voracity, ever and anon looking
at the door, as if he designed to sneak
out without paying.
"Thou art a blowerl" exclaimed a
hoarse voice, from unseen lips.
The stranger arose. t-
And fraud
The stranger, insane with fury, moved
toward the door, a31u utR 9ur H
"hnd a beat
The stranger threw open the door,
and looked wildly at the tempest, as if
invoking the powers of darkness to
crush his defamer.
And gin-head
This was too much The stranger,
with maniac howl, rushed out OF the
hall, and was soon lost in the gloom of
the night. .llI-u.
"a put-up job" muttered the land
lord, gazing ruefully at the empty plates.
1t was scurvy trick. No matter;
he shall pay for this. | suspected him,
and put pizen in the pickle.
The landlord went on washing the
dishes with a thoughtful face, and deep
silence reigned.