The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-09-27


asks, with a confident smile, and his
listeners are bound to admit that it is
unanswerable.
He is no pauper. He begs or Dor
rows from no one. The shock that laid
skill and cunning of his hands. So he
labors at engraving or some other skilled
mechanical work, and is chargeable to
no man.
Mr.. Heintzlemann is not the only one
of his kind to whom the Halls of JUS
tice present irresistible attractions.
Other eccentric characters from time to
time gravitate toward the same center.
For instance, there is, or rather was,
Mrs. Mayfield, owner in fee simple of
the courthouse, with all the appur-
tenances thereto belonging" She was
a spare old lady, neatly dressed in
black, carrying always an old-fashioned
reticule. She used at intervals to visit
the courthouse for the purpose of col
lecting her rents. Marching with slow
and stately steps into one of the rooms
she would approach the railing in front
of the bench. If her advent passed I'M
noticed, she dived into the depths of her
reticule, and, producing therefrom an
enormous brass key, presumably the in
sigma of ownership, raped with great
solemnity upon the railing until the at
tention of some official was attracted.
This accomplished, she would say:
GOOD morning. l have called for
my rent, if it is quite convenient"
Certainly, Mrs. Mayfield, the officer
would reply; 81 quite forgot to send it.
I'm very sorry you: had the trouble of
coming for it. -
Mrs. Maytield had no stated periods
at which she collected her rent, some
times calling twice in a fortnight. at
others letting 1T accumulate for months.
Nor had she any fixed rental valua-
tion-a quarter, dime, or even
nickel would suffice. Indeed, the
old lady must have regarded the
sum paid more as an acknowledgment
OF ownership than anything. so little re-
lation did it bear to the value of her
property. She ignored altogether the
fOrmality of receipts, Justly deeming,
no doubt, that the city might safely rely
on her sense of honor not to demand the
same rent over again.
Before leaving she would go round the
room on tour of inspection to satisfy
herself that the premises were being
kept in tenantable repair, and would
grayely suggest any little alterationinar-
engagements that would occur to her as
being likely to impair the value of the
realty. These wise precautions taken
against the necessity OF suit for dilapi-
dations at the close of the tenancy, she
would pocket her rent and depart.
Then, again; there is Praying Patsey.
He comes occasionally, just as the
Judges are out taking their MONDAY
recess, and, stationing him in the
doorway of the courtroom, mutters a
short prayer Whether it be ritual or
eXtempore, and who may be the
special objects of his petitions bench,
bar, suitOrS or witnesses are alike
matters of mystery, inasmuch as his ut
terances are so rapid and muffled as to
be totally unintelliglble His act OF de-
yotion accomplished, he swiftly moves
toward another part of the court there
again to perform his self-imposed duty.
He is strictly impartial, comforting the
benefits of his microscopy offering on
every room in the building, not omit
ting even the COmptrOller'S Office and
the Bureau for the Collection of Ar
rears. What ideas he may have re-
speeding the necessity or value of his
services no one knows, for he speaks to
no one. He is convinced, no doubt,
that his presence and prayers are abso-
lutely essential to the welfare, if not,
indeed, the existence of the building
and its inmates. One thing, at least, is
certain. If he does no good, he does
no harm, and his lunacy might easily
assume 4 more Objectionable form.
Yet an other demented dmicuS cu17g
is man who has once or twice made
his appearance, claiming the credit of
and compensation for the invention of
the submarine telegraph, the elabora-
ton of the entire postal system !
of the United States, and the establish |
ment of Civil-Service reform. Consid- |
ering the important character of these |
achievements, and their great national
value, this public benefactor is very
moderate in his demands. He usually /
presents his claim in handwriting very
unlike what one would eXpectaS coming |
from such gifted individual. 1t begins: |
Sc [ claim an order from the Supreme |
Court for one hundred thousand dol
lars" 1t then specifies the valuable !
services just mentioned, rs being the |
items on which the claim is based, and |
concludes with a statement that, being |
in immediate need, ?, small installment |
on account will be very acceptable. He |
is considerate enough to intimate that |
if it be not convenient to give immedi-
ate attention to his demand he will call
again. 1t goes without saying, that he
always is told to call again.
Latterly, too, the courthouse has
been honored by the visits of middle
aged woman with Celtic face, a
determined expression, and a strong
accent. She has suffered depreciation
of character at the hands of
some person or persons unknown,
through which she has been deprived
of the means Of earning a livelihood"
She announces her intention of attend
ing the sessions of the courts until one
or other of the Judges removes this dis
ability. 1t is to be hoped that sooner
or later some way will be found 20 ac-
this good lady's wishes, for
she is an unfortunate soul and has the
staying power of Coleridge's "Ancient
Mariner"