The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1877-01-27
SERGEANT BATES.
The sational Tramp Hears Of the Demo
cratic Centennial Banner and is
Beside himself vita 10y.


tNAAtN llAH AAh n khf'
experiences; her cup has been pretty
full at times, base ball even did not
spare her, but amidst all Of her Attic
tons she has been mercifully spared
the affection Of Sergeant Bates, the
champion peripstetic fraud and ma
tiOnsl tramp, whose chief notoriety
consists, not In his having once besn
- sergeant although II he nai been
such All one as the immortal Sergeant
Jasper, his sergeantey would have Il
better investment for fame than his
other hold. but in having, just after
the war,
CARRIED A UNITED STATES FLAG
through the south on foot. This prod
ky OF vslor was performed amidst the
gushing plsudit Of millions of admir-
ing countrymen who were speeehless
with admiration over the incredible
courage it required to do this thing, Ii
was, you know, rs II he had volunteer
Ell TO carry blrsting lamb through
wilderness of lions aud tigers across
the continent Of Africa, the warIike
Bates having pretty good idea before
he started on his perilous trip that ne
would be just a. safe walking through
the south with his flag rs he would
walking through the North. The
THIRST FOR NCToRIETY,
which is our great national character
istic, was upon Bates. The opportu-
atty for grand and cheap display Of
patriotic buncOmbe, under the thin
disguise OF his march through the
South, was too good to be lost. The
newspaper fame to be achieved, the
nine days wonder to be produced,
could not be foregoue; and the ma
tional tramp turned himself loose for
n grand walk around. His perform
ance smelt of the circus. There was
the familiar odor of business about it
that is given forth from all OF these
purely American sensations. So no.
body was surprised to find Bates offer
ing 10 march here and there and carry
any named flag. This
FLAG TUTINa BUSINESS
was a new thing and il had quite a
run, but the public soon wearied OF
Bates and his fag-trampiDg schemes.
IL was patent TO the world that the bug
under the chip was not the hair
breadth escapes and dangers by flood
aud field that Bates underwent that he
courted, because they didn't exist but
the dollars and cents there was in the
business. The whole thing was merely
a cute Yankee scheme Of raising the
wind. How successful Bates would
have been with a sewing machine OF
pill It eau easily be determined.
m uch for Bates former exploits
His last Is TO write letter to Captain
| A. II. Shepherd. an old and highly
respected citizen Of this place, who, Il
will be remembered, originated and
suggested the idea OF presenting
THE DEMOCRATIC CENTENNIAL BAN
NEK
10 the State giving the largest major
ity for TIlden and Hendricks.
Whenever anybody says flag
Bates picks up his long, loyal ears
He snutfs afar of another chance fol
notoriety and money. His soul di
late-, aud his heart beats high, eagei
for the least opportunity of taking III,
road somewhere, with some flag in hi.
hand. Having tasted of the sweets o
notoriety 10 passing through many /,
village, he fairly snorts for one NOR,
chance TO Rstoni-h the natives.
BATES LETTER
IL just the sort of thing you would sup
pose would eminsie from him. IL
writes from Boston, that he ha
heard Of the flag Dallas intends pre-
senting Georgia, and recites with full
some seli-praise. the story of hi
worldwide fame. And iutimates hi
willingness to share with Captain
Shepherd for consideration +, som,
of the lustre Of his fame by associatiu,
himself with the Captain in join
expedition to Georgia. The star pre-
smbuIator generously offers for tn,
psltry sum of five hundred dollars, I,
give
TONE TO THE OCCASION,
and Imperishable renUwn to our friens
Shepherd, who Is graciously permitte.
to select the route. Should the ex.bo,
in blue Bates go on foot however, ans
solitary aud alone boar the banner O
Georgia, one hundred and fifty dollar
will have to be put up as the necessary
pecuniary emoiument for the liquida
ton Of the Bates little bill for service,
rendered.
The great ques ton now to be deci
ded Is, ''Shall Dallas let slip tn.
golden opportunity Of eternal fame
which Sergeant Bates stands ready Il
confer for the ridiculousIy small sun
OF $50? Should he go 1t alone, oil
500 for comforting
historic HoNoRs
on one Of cur best citizens, by allow
ing him to go with him Pr Just thint
Of it, For $3.50 Dallas can give hei
Shepherd an equal partnership in the
fame of the nations Bates. Such q
privilege may never again be youch
saied. There isn't perhaps anothel
man in the country that Bates would