The morning call., 1890-04-14
He WOULD NOT BULGE.
Chief Scannell Remains, but
Captain White " Flees."
I've a secret, young man. -

We d oCNIVNs fbubS man.
1t WAS Chief Scannell of the Fire Depart
ment who announced this very common
place fact to CALL reporter yesterday on
Kearny street. The reporter eyed the
sparkling countenance of the veteran
credulously and wondered what caused the
mschievous smile that played upon its
features.
People usually keep secrets" was the
sententious observation Of the young man
with the glasses.
Nav, but it's an open one," replied the
Chief. and he burst into hearty laugh and
poked an acquaintance in the ribs
And the Chief was as sober as a Judge
after nights sound sleep.
He shifted his hat to an awry position,
showed his hands down into his pockets,
leaned up against a pillar and smiled in
evident satisfaction at his secret" He
was dressed in his best suit of clothes
ready for any cataclysm-and red, white
and blue bouquet adorned the generous
lapel of his uniform coat His secret was
at boiling point and so were his jolly spirits.
"Well, what is il, Chief?"
Come here" He had the reporter but
ton-holed, and suddenly looked serious and
gravely shook his head.
Captain Russell White is gone to the
mOunGains-fed, flew, gone"
Again he shook his head, one would think
in pity for the genial Captain of the Fire
Patrol, whom lie imagined had completely
lost his head.
Captain White has been so eminentIy
practical in all things and so reckless in
facing death IN the herceSt flames, that
those who knew him we'll were surprised
beyond measure on hearing of his departure
for the hills, and the whole Fire Depart
ment, from the Chief to the extramen, dis
cussed it all day long with rolIicking banter
and iests.
But they say that the Patrol Captain is
a firm believer in Mrs WoodwOrth's proph-
esy. He would not trust the lives of his
family and himself in town to-day, although
lie let his real estate shift along for itself
Since the papers began writing of the
end of the world and tidal waves, and
things began to look very like as if this
town wont need fire engines after to-mOr-
row" began Chief Scannell in telling the
secret, ." noticed changein White. He
came to me frequently with some advice
about the last day-or something or other
ne called it-but thought he was buffing
me. He says one day, Chief, Pm going
into the country for week, as l don't feel
quite WELL says he.
"'Where top l asked him.
To PeScadero this time | used to go
to some hot springs down south, but 1
want change, and you had better come
with me. The trip will do you good
Can't, is all | said.
HE went away disguised and came again,
but he could not get me to bulge an inch
A day or two before he left town he came
to my Office, and as no one but myself was
there, told me that the world was coming to
an end.
Let her rip 1 said, I'm going to stay
by the town, anyhow, till it burns down or
sinks to the bottom of the sea-
You ought to have seen how Mortified he
looked at me when L said that. He said he
was leaving with his family on account of
the flood and begged me To accompany him.
But l refused.
''Then he dropped down on his knees he
fore me and wrnng his hands and wept
Chief, he says, you have been my friend
and don't like to see you die so soon.'
That vas embarrassing for me, but I
wouldn't bulge.
Well, Chief" he begged while still on
his knees, Tor the sake of your soul leave
this city. Think OF your sins and repent in
time
What sins?' l asked. why I don't
even use Urinary cuss words. 1 am all
right, Cap
Then he pleaded and begged of me to
consider, and then L really began to feel for
him, poor fellow; for l knew he would not
be SO anxious about me unless for friend