Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-01
THE STROLLER,S STORIES.
Odd OpinIons aud QuaInt Observations From
Curb mud Corridor

| Odd OpinfOns aud Qualnt Observations From
Curb mud Corridor.
! FRANCIS MURPHY, the gospel temperance
evangelist, was standing upon the street the
other afternoon talking with the Stroller, when
a smooth-faced. wide-mouthed, lily dressed
man approached and held out his hand for a
shake. Mr.. Murphy turned for moment to
look at the newcomer "Oh, you poor fellow"
he said, with look of compassion in his deep
gray eyes; II know what you want" Mr.. Muir
ply went into his pocket and produced silver
dollar. He gave it to the man, saying to him:
"John, If give you this, will you allow me to
get by yeu tomorrow"
a T meeting Of veterans the other evening
G. F. McKenna the lawyer smiled across
the table and said ''The other day down in
Philadelphia General Pearson sat for photo
graph of Phil Sheridan" "'How is that Gen
eral?' two or three men asked, with smiles on
their faces. That's right" General Pearson
replied. ''They wanted good-looking portrait
of Sheridan that day 1t was the time when
Charlie McKenna sat for picture of Ossa-
watomie Brown" The close resemblance set
the laugh going the other way.
ON the large calendar hanging over the
Stroller's desk the leaf for December has
been fortwo weeks hanging by one little cor
ner. At IL o'clock last night the lights winked,
the leaf fell, and there was revealed to the eye
OF the toiler new page, where 1890 was printed
0ERIEND." Steve said to Jim N. the other
day, "Mr. Brown has stopped traffic on
Fifth avenue" why is that, Mr.. H.P' Jim
asked, with large dish of surprise plastered
over his countenance. The answer was, 'Be-
cause there's a Hole in the Ground at the
Opera House."
GEORGE was playing billiards. George had
not been at home for three weeks, and his
nerves were shaky. He poised his cue and
sighted at the pink ball. At that moment
mouse popped out of the wall just opposite the
pink ball. George saw the mouse. He saw its
bright eyes, and he took of his hat and wiped
his forehead. He looked about the billiard
room to see il anybody else saw it. All had
seen 1t, but they did not show it. The game
went on. George shot again, and again as he
drew his cue the mouse popped its head out Of
the hole. George saw it. The perspiration
rose upon his forehead. He took of his hat,
looked at the mouse, wiped his brow, felt his
limbs to see that he was awake, and glanced
nervously about the room TO see if any
body else had caught sight of the miscreant.
Apparently nobody had seen it. and George
was bathed in perspiration. The mouse dlsap-
peared when he moved, and his shot was made
without a resulting carom. Was it fate or
chance which brought that mouse out every
time George shot7 It will never be known. A
stranger entered the billiard room, and stood
minute to watch the bad game then being
played. "By George" he cried, '1ook at that
mouse" George braced up. He wiped his
forehead, and with hearty steps he chased
around the table, and grasped the strangers
hand. "Did you" he cried. with the clinging
confidence Of a Chicago widow. ''did you see
that mouse?"
THE gentlemen who have charge of Mr.. j. o.
Browns Second avenue blue wagon sta
BILE were somewhat wroth the other evening
At about 2 o'clock in the morning somebody
called up Ben Leech. 'Send the wagon to Sec
ond and Ferry" the voice said. whats the
natter" Ben asked. Never mind" was the
reply; "a fellow tried to pick my vest pocket
You get the wagon here quick and I'll have a
man for you.' The wagon was sent. Dick
was not there, and the gentlemen vino operated
the wagon looked here and there without avail
Morris Mead was asking yesterday if anybody
had seen his assistant.
CAPTAIN STONE, of McKeesport, was in the
city yesterday. How IS the postofice con-
test coming out?" he asked. Upon my word, 1
port from the people. have offered to leave
the question to a vote of the people, but my
opponents have not been willing to try that
test have confidence because have noticed
that in other cases the President has appointed
the men who have the best backing from the |
people" Captain Stone is a tall, manly man,
with hair growing gray, a strong. genial face, |
and beard almost white with the frosts of |
long ago.
0THERE has not been any profit for u.s."
said an iron ore man at the Hotel Du-
quesne yesterday, ''for the past two years. The |
trade is good now, however, and prices are up. |
We look for good season in 1890. IL always
runs that way in our business. For two or
three years we make no money, but we keep
the furnaces in blast. 1t is only in the good
years. every three or four years, that we make
up for the dull season. Iron ore dealers gen.
orally expect good season."
THE STROLLER.