Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
A Horse Pistol Compelled Hearing
FIoridn's Boss Snake Story-The Ad-

A Horse Pistol Compelled q deurlhR-
FIorida's Boss Snake story-The Ad.
venture of Some Local Politicians.
W. j. ARKELL, the proprietor of Judge and
Prank LesIie's Weekly, has occupied large
place in the public eye of late, and seems des-
tined to make more of stir yet. He is amDi-
tious daring and so situated that he can COM
mand great deal of influence both In politics
and in finances Just now.
As the custom is when new man comes into
prominence everybody has a story to tell OF Mr..
Arkell. Newspaper men in New York are con-
tinually relating curious incidents in Mr..
ArkelPs recent connection with the Harrison
family, but putting these aside there isone tale,
which has been given to me as strictly true and
which anyhow seems worth relating.
~
RECENTLY Mr.. ArkeIl was invited to dine
with the celebrated Glover Club in Philadel-
phia. He hesitated little about going, for he
knew of the clubs custom of demanding
speech from guest, and the corollary habit
they had of guying speaker. 1t is said that
Mr., Arkell confided his doubts to the great
caricaturist of Judge, Mr.. Gillian, and the
latter suggested plan by which the Clover
Clubs benevolent customs could be kept In
check. Mr.. Gillian advised Mr.. Arkell to go
to the dinner, and to take with horse-pistol Of
antiq ne type and tremendous size. Mr.. Arkell
took in the possibilities in sight, and bought
the largest horse pistol he could find in New
York.
He couldn't carry the pistol in any of his
pocketsAit measured nearly yard. But he
concealed it inside the neither garments of his
dress suit, and started for the dinner. In due
time, after the dispatch of the solids and
liquids Of the banquet, Mr.. Arkell was called
upon to speak. He arose quietly and began:
Gentlemen of the -" then such a clamor
h. 1n1f6 han Il de
voice. Mr.. Arkell simulated surprise at first
and then as the hooting and bowling grew
louder, anger. He looked Indignantly from
one gentleman to another, stretched out his
hands to the Chairman, but all in vain.
%.=
THE next thing Mr. Arkell did was to tear
OF his dress coat, push his chair back. and
with both hands drag from its hiding place the
immense horse-pistol. With an air of wild
anger he pointed the huge weapon at the
Presidents head, and appeared to he taking
careful and deliberate aim.
The gentlemen of the Glover Club did not
see the joke in this and rushed upon him, when
he laid the pistol down remarking: "It's not
loaded-but, gentlemen, I'm going to fire off my
speechv'
And he was allowed to proceed amid cheers.
The Glover Club elected Mr.. Arkell an honor
ary member that very night
80
A SNAKE story is out of season to-day
know, but this one is fresh from Florida, with
afidavits sworn to by Pittsburger attached.
A big rattle snake was caught near Leesburg
Fla, this winter, and a few weeks ago was on
exhibition at the Union Hotel in that place.
Before it was exposed to public view the rat.
tiers fangs were extracted. In this presuma-
bly, harmless condition the snake was put in a
basket with wire net over it for the guests of
the hotel to admire.
good many people saw the snake, and
guess the Iattler was teased good deal before
he had chance to get even with his torment
ors. One day Leesburg man who had alb
sorbed about enough corn whiskey to enable
him to see snakes without any Intervention of
nature, came into the Union Hotel and fell to
making the rattler's life a burden to it. He
would wave his hand over the basket and chal-
lenge the snake to spring up The rattlesnake
got thoroughly warmed up at last. and as the
Leesburg man left his hand for moment with
in the snakes reach, the reptile made dash
and bit it. There were fangs beyond doubt
in the snakes mouth, and they made an ugly
wound
Doctors were called at once, and they tried
hard to save the bitten man. He died that
night in great agony.
They killed the snake at once, and examin-
ing its mouth found two fangs there. 1t is
certain that two fangs had been drawn from
the snakes mouth weeks before the accident,
and the question which Is interesting every
body down in Leesburg is: Where did the Sec
ond set Of fangs come from2
-
PITTSBURG politicians who went to Wash
ington for the Inauguration are laughing good
deal over an adventure some of them had there
1t appears that four of the best known Re-
publican leaders in this city agreed to travel to
Washington together. One of them oversight
himself the morning the quartet was to have
started, and SO but three took the cars to-
gether. The three had lots of fun, however.
though they missed the fourth wheel.
Before they reached Washington they made
several acquaintance among their fellow pas
sengers-one a prepossessing young woman,
who is a well-known newspaper correspondent.
She was very agreeable, and one of the Pitts
burg trio was assigned, as the only single man
in the party, to take care Of her, the two bene-
diets agreeing to assist as far as they could.
WELL the fair correspondent happened to
say that she wanted to go to the Inauguration
ball, and her Pittsburg guardian at once volun-
teered to take her. When Washington was
reached the bachelor was shamefully deserted
by his benedict companions and he was left to
foot all the fair correspondents bills. When
ne came TO Duy ner d Ilck6C IOr Lne Dali ne 0aQ
to pay big premium, for tickets were scarce,
and carriage hire and other incidental expenses
took about SS5 in all from the Pittsburger's
purse.
The day after the Inauguration he informed
his two companions that they would have to
pay their share of the expense of entertaining
the young lady, They demurred, but said they'd
pay their friends hotel bill instead He agreed
to this.
Next day he brought up his hotel bill. Itwas
for Sl50. OF course this struck CONSERVATION
into the hearts of the two gentlemen who had
promised to pay it. They gladly compromised
the claim by paying the first account of S35-
but the gay bachelor has not done boasting of
his victory yet. HEPBURN JOHNS.
To ONCE Seekers.
From the Cincinnati Commercial GazetteI
Gentlemen with good, comfortable employ
ments are not advised to give them up to 90
and hang around Washington, awaiting the
chances of official appointment. Politics as a