The New York herald., 1879-12-16
A PHENOMENAL PEDESTRIAN.
THE APPARIrIoN THAT STARTLED THE MADISON
SQUARE GARDEN AUDIENCE On SUNDAY
NIGHT-HOW TT IooKrn TN corrpr

THE APPARITIoN THAT STARTLED THE MADISON
SQUARE GARDEN AUDIENCE On SUNDAY
NIGHT-How IT LOOKED IN COURT.
When Justice Bxby took the bench at the Jefer-
son Market Police Court yesterday morning odd
looking figure was led out among the first batch Of
prisoners. calico dress. much awry and mud be-
drabbled. covered the conner as far as the calf
of the leg. where pair of loose hose appeared.
terminating in a walking gaiter at ankle and an
abridged boot at the other. dilapidated hat
cooked on the head and blue veil withdrawn to
veal countenence. made all the more comcal by
OF the doleful expression which sat upon it,
1t face such woman since Mother
Ewes time possessed. its singularity enhanced
pearance OF having been recently moved down
rather than shaved oil. When Sergeant Keating,
story little light as to tKo stranger.s real character
was Afforded by person in court, who. 1t appears
was responsible for the masquerade in pursuance of
o practical joke. The prisoner was John Dermody.
lemon pedler. forty-hve years old and homeless
One dominant idea that has for years pervaded his
brain came into IL with the advent OF OLeary. and
fostered by the appearance OF other knights Of
the tan bark In fact. he feels convinced that he is
cut out for pedestrian. No opportunity was lost
by him to make known to his intimates this special
ordination. Prior to every important match he has
been afoot trying high and low TO get hacker.
entered Darwin Kindelon's saloon at No. SGT Third
avenue on Sunday night There was some talk there
OF tue teIuble Walking motcu ~ the MaulsOu
Garden, which Afforded him chance to launch into
description OF his own powers OF locomotion. OAR
win. who heard him. inquired. in jocuar mood. II
he was willing to be entered with the contesting
females. Dermody, who had taken couple OF
glasses OF liquor. vowed that nothing would suit
him better. His acceptance Of the proposition
hailed by couple of practical jokers hand y
chance for amusement. and 1t . fonlalc ward
robe procured to furnish the necessary apparel.
CONCEALED.
With the calico dress, sash OF jacQuenet, the
long hose and blue veil Dermody's
cealed. and Barber Pete hewed off the walkers
flowing red beard. Then the party conducted him
to Madison Square Garden, hiding his raiment under
In sequestered part of the place. That done they
slipped him under tho railing ont the track and
away he sped. with his arms going like windmils
and his raiment flying out behind him like u
batch of the authentic contestants had just passed
and the counterfeit put squirt to overhaul them.
rwenty-nine females were entered in the race but,
in bold characters inscribed on bandbox cover
Dermody's breast and back. appeared the number
'32" roar greeted the appearance of the bizarre
figure on the track. Around the he went.
happy-go-lucky mindful OF rules and bent only
OF police, Sergeant Keating detached himself from
them and scampered after him. It was no easy
matter catching up with the phenomenal contestant.
but the Sergeant at length brought Dermody's pace
down to . walk aud made q circuit Of the track in
his captor's custody. In the Jefferson Market Po-
lice Court charge Of intoxication preferred
against him, but not sustained. Justice Bixby
observed that he had yet to learn that an appear
on the track in itself Offences the
captive was discharged and out Of court he went in
all his trumpery at an orthodox pedestrian pace.