The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-17
MEN ABOUT TOWN.
Stories Picked Up Around the
Hotel Corridors.
Sitting Bull as a Lecturer-Convenient but
Cruel-1ndian Cunning-Planting the
Islands-subways for Cities.

F. L. Middleton of Minneapolis, who is at
the Grand Hotel, says that it was his priv l.
lege several years ago to listen to a lectu re
delivered by the notorious Sitting Bull, who
was then on his way to Washington to con-
suit with the Great White Father" rela-
tive to Indian affairs in the Northwest.
There was quite an audience present."
said Mr.. Middleton. land Sitting Bull spoke
Tor more than an hour on the Indian Ques-
ton. BE talked rapidly and without hesi-
tating for words or ideas. and his English
was much purer than 1 had expected. Like
all Indians, however, he spoke in continue
GUS monotone and without indulging in
gestures of any description. In appear
ance, as recall him to mind, he was tall
and athletic in build, but his face was a
most unprepossessing one. He was very
dark, even for an Indian, and his hair grew
very low upon his forehead, which, COM
bined with cruel mouth and square, hard
set jaw. gave him a savage look that shall
not soon forget"
CONVENIENT BUT CRUEL.
lady now living in this city who spent
many years in India related to CALL re-
porter yesterday the pleasant method pur-
sued by the inhabitants of that country 10
rid themselves of the aged and decrepit
members Of the household.
When parent or parents becomes help
less with age" she said, 1.-THE children or
grandchildren, as the case NAV be, inclose
them in large, covered basket, in which
they are securely fastened, and convey them
TO the bank Of the Ganges. Placing them
by the side Of the stream they wait patiently
for the tide to convey them away to the
ocean. The tides there, however, are very
variable, and the custom is to leave the in
tended victim in the basket until the waters
have risen three times. If it fails to reach
the basket because of low tides, the aged
person Is. removed and taken home, when
the duty then becomes imperative to care for
the unfortunate during the remainder Of
life."
INDIAN CUNNING.
G. Fl. Russell, an old resident of Arizona.
was at the Palace yesterday. In spe aking
Of the trouble among the Indians he as
serted that in his opinion the most intelli-
gent, and at the same time the most cum
ming, OF the Western savageS are the San
Carlos Apaches. To them, according TO
Mr.. Russell. is due the invention OF the GEN.
ter-ire cartridge.
During the outbreak. some eight or nine
years ago" he continued, "their arms were
all Winchester rifles of the rim-fire pat
tern, and they soon exhausted their supply
OF cartridges. They had plenty of powder,
bullets and percussion caps, put they were
not available for breech-loadiug guns. The
cunning rascals had saved their brass shells,
and with surprising ingenuity they altered The
hammers of their guns, drilled holes through
the center of the shells for the caps. loaded
them and used them during the rest of the
war. 1t was discovered when they were
captured. They were, believe, the first of
the kind III USE"
PLANTING THE ISLANDS.
An old sea captain who has recently re-
turned from the South Seas states that the
M nrtnttl 70 nf
exertlng themselves 10 stock all the small
desert islands with cocoanuts. The trading
ships of those nations which ply in that
quarter 1t seems are supplied with the nuts,
ana In passing to wiDdward of sandy
island cast them into the sea. They are
driven on to the beach OF course, and some
OF them spring up and grow into trees. From
this beginning they spread over the island in
few years and make it fit for habitation.
sUBWAYS FOR CITIES.
Charles 81. Bailey Jr., a prominent real
estate agent from st. Louis, is among the
his time m looking over the city.
Said he: 81 am of the opinion that the
experience OF San Francisco will be that of
st. Louis with the network of electric wires
that overhang the streets. They became SO
troublesome that we were compelled to put
them In underground conduits, and we find
that 1t works well. The largest subways in
use, however, are In London under the
DankS OIL the IhameS and along the princi-
pal thoroughfares. They arc built of brick,
and are IL " feet high and feet wide. At
tue bottom is the sewer, entirely covered
over, and above this is a tramway and the
gas and water mains and electric wires ar
ranged on projecting cast-iron brackets.
The subways are ventilated by means of
shafts and are lighted with incandescent
electric lamps. This system is superior to
all others, and should be introduced into
this country"
COULDN'T AFFORD IT.
a local millionaire (he is probably worth
COO sat yesterday at lunch with a
friend In fashionable downtown restau-
rant.
Said the friend "By the way, what has
become of -, who was in your employ a
year ago?"
"Oh, he is still with me-" was the reply.
should hate 10 part with him, for he is
very valuable man. Poor fellow! he has a
hard time. l pay him SIS, but he has a wife
and two small children who keep him tied
down. l have had it in my mind two or
three times to increase his salary; but bust
ness Is very dull and money is a little scarce,
SO have been compelled TO keep him where
he is"
A few minutes later they rose TO go, and
as they reached the caSh-deSk the possessor
OF S6,OoO,OOo threw down $40 piece to pay
Tor the modest lunch which thev had eaten
The cashier passed him half-dollar la
change, which he promptly showed back and
asked for two cigars. The cigars were
lighted and the two friends passed out with
out thought for the clerk, his wife and two
small children.