, 1890-06-22

Palmer's regulation costume Is a white
plug hat and linen buster 10 summer and
a linen duster and white plug hat in win
ter. His face is red and nose blue and the
latter will get black il be keeps on drink
ing. He keeps his shoes polished and de-
votes much care to a splendid black nous
tache. The man has wonderful eyes.
They light mp his countenance. add eI-
preston to a quite strong face and when
their owner becomes animated almost
speak.
The touring engineer called ct the round
house yesterday morning and heard an
engineer telling the foreman hat he could
not go out in compliance with orders on
account of illness in his family. Palmer
overheard the conversation and said he
was looking for work and would like to
make a trip. He was engaged after salts
flying the foreman as TO his capabilities.
Palmer came up town and did not return
to the railway until. nearly train time. The
fireman, an excellent Young fellow, had
the big machine fit to wheel tor a queens
throne. Palmer. who is fairly well edu
Gated and who has read much, delights in
grandiose conversation. He thus ad
dressed his subordinate when ready to
lea re:
Il take it, my young Christian friend,
that you have f4miliarized yourself with
the duties incumbent on a fireman.
II think l understand my business
sir" replied the stoker, somewhat awed.
Have you applied lubricant to all por-
tions of this locomotive where friction is
likely to occur2"
Yep. I've oiled her all around"
Very well. we will open this perfor
nance by ringing the bell; kindly pull the
string"
In response to the conductors signal the
train moved away, with steam kissing and
bell Changing There was the master
hand of an cratic genius at the throttle.
Palmer drew crowds of passengers about
him at every station aud amused them
with ebullitions of his quaint and original
philosophy.
This strange man is too smart to work
and his plans for avoiding toll are aston
ishing. Perhaps his greatest feat in the
swindling line was ORGANIZATION Of the
Iowa Hog Cholera Insurance company.
Swine were dropping of like flies when
the boar frost comes. Palmcr's offer to
insure the porkers could not be resisted
by the prohibition state Jays and they
tumbled over each other in the rush for
policies. The agent, who was also the
entire company, because too greedy. He
insured sick, dead and dying hogs in half
the countries of the broad state. When
the epidemic subsidized Palmer went to
Des Moiues and had a gorgeous spree.
Some of his victims followed him and he
was arrested. but nothing came of the
prosecution.
Another Of Palmer's schemes was to en-
gage dramatic talent in most lavish style.
On a tou through the rural districts he
would make starring contracts with enough
amateurs to supply the world for a cycle.
sno paiSulo VI tdcu ne WOulQ DOT
row money. On these raids Palmer care
fully selected his marks, locating bucolic
maidens who sang 10 the choir or yokels
who had taken prizes for ''speakin'
pieces"
Palmer fell into bad repute with rail-
readers by robbiug a lot of them at Chi
cago. where he formed an alliance with
the no less INSCRIPTIONS representative
of a bogus building and loan association.
AT Savannah. ILL.,, once, Palmer
worked two boarding houses together
for a month. He changed every three
days, coming up IN black overalls. with
empty lunch bucket and an account OF a
laborous run which was never made. Pal
mer is losing his grip as he gains age and
is now scarcely to be feared. In spite of
his glazing faults he is "a good fellow"
and the big hearted railroad men will see
that be does not suffer.
A Fine Show.