The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-02
THE CANE BEARER.
Ono OMcehoider whom the People will HssA
In High Esteem.

OF those who walked up Broad way yes.
terday morning, betwsen9 and halt past, some
may have seen, walking down, u neatly -dresssd
gentleman whose face was clouded, though his
nne physique and open countenanoe would nat
urally imply cheerful buoy lncy. Following cIOss
after him was small boY carving large cane.
At frequent Intervals the man turned aud
glanced at the boy, who Invariably retreated,
aud re sumed his distance when the man faced
to the front again. At Blocker street the gen
ueman held brief conversation with the youth,
and extended toward him piece OF scrip; and
at Canal street he turned In the tnrong aud tried
To snatch the cane, but tho lad was slert, and
the IN IN resumed his march discomd ed, with
the small boy ana the cane always close behind
HIN.
On Friday morning, while Mr.. Magufin was
walking down Broadway. he saw ahead a man
carrying cane. lie was we'll dressed man OF
respectable appearance, but he carried his cana
as though he were dram IN Jor marcnins In
the centre Of street a mile wide. He grasped
the stick at the middle. twirled II around his
fingers, hung IL over his shoulder, and once
while pointing out to friend some OBJECT ON
the other side OF the street, ne raised tue cane
horizontally across tie sidewalk, utterly
thoughlless OF those VINO might 90 PASSING
He brought the muddy end Of the stick IN con-
tact with u gentleman's lignt-colored trousers,
another mans hat. At last he caught tue crook
OF the handle In ldys bustle, ana when the
thoughtless but gallant gentleman turned 70
offer respectful apology Mag utln was shocked
TO see Magruder. de didn't uaily with him:
.Tmme tnat cane SIR
"Yes, you wilt" and Magufan matched n
from Magruaers hand and carried II OF. After
dinner he laid the cane On the parlor table, and
related To the boarders his experience of the
morning. And" sad Magufn, "sonethtns
has got TO be done about II. The man wno car
ries cane carelessly In the street Is almost az
much an enemy to decency and comfort az the
man that spits on the sidewalk, aud he Ia faI
more likely To do damage. OF all men the New
Yorker should know Oest and practise most
carefully the art of carrying a cane without IN.
conven'encing his neigh DOrs out here's Ma ru-
der pranclng on down Broad way, carrying his
cane as though IL were "A Hall. It's true that Mr.
Magruder Is a Renteman OF sound heart, and
we all know MIN To De GENIAL and accO mpis he'd
but under some circumstances a thoughtless
gentleman may 30 a. obnoxious To society as q
thoughtful villain; aud l move we take away
Although Magruder IL very popular In the
boarding house the motion to deprive him Of
his cane met general approval, for nearly ever
boarder had suffered from reoAlessly handled
| walking sticks. Elbow Magregor alone soushs
| to defend MaRruder. He made a speech IN
which he said That "A man ought TO pe flowed
| to carry telegraph pole II he wanted to-" but
when II was learned that MGgregoI's step. faith
er's Drother-in-law runs glass eye man ory
Mr.. Ma9ufhn turned him out Of the house, aud
this commemorate action was promptly fol.
lowed by the passage OF a resolution declaring
| Magruder unnt to be trusted with "A cane.
Magruder pleaded for d reconsideration OF the
| vote. He sdd no had carried that cane for
| several years, and he doubted whether he could
| get along without II. " hat should he do with
| his hands? 1t was so hot ne didn't W mi to put
| them In his pockets, and he didn't want "a
| carry them behind his back, and he hadn'l
| yet learned the art Of letting them alone when
| they were not intelliRently employed. lie must
| have the cane. AT last compromise was ef-
| lected whereby, though Magruder was not TO os
| trusted TO carry the cine himself, ne might e
reassure han, have 4 near HIM the bo4rders
| chipped IN and hired district telegraph hoy "a
| 90 with MI. Maeruder aud carry his cane
| IL Is likely that MIR. Magruder aud the cane
| bearer may be met on broadway for several DAYS
to come, Tor the boarders Will never permit MIN
| to carry his cane again until no mas signed
| pledge To carry his cane ike a gentleman, anC
| not uke bull whacker.