Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-13
THE STROLLER'S STORIES.
Odd Opinions and Qnninr Observations Gath
cred From Curb and Cnrridor.

Odd Opinions and QHainf observations Gath
cred From Curb aud Corridor.
! YESTERDAY the notes Of bugle resounded
along Penn avenue, and rag dealers wagon
numbered slowly into sight. The Pittsburg
chihonier in charge looked suspiciousIy like a
war veteran. His empty right sleeve was tucked
into side pocket, and his long elf-locks but
partially concealed the red mark of a once deep
scar Upon his wrinkled forehead When uues-
toned he owned to having smelt powder on
many battlefield; and, pointing to the bugie
which hung on his neck, declared that IL had
prayed forth its deadly summons on the slopes
OF Gettysburg What descent! One veteran
going a-picking OF odd scraps in the gutter and
another veteran advertising this inglorious pur-
suit Pittsburg chifoniers deal in stray iron
and bits Of leather as well as rags Their earn
lngs usually amount to from SIS to $50 week.
Come gentlemen were chatting in the City
Hall yesterday over the different causes of
lunacy when a certain prominent citizen
brought forward a totally new origin for the
disease. "a friend of mine" he said, 'has
been set mad by bill posters. You see the poor
fellow was naturally of a nervous tempera-
ment, and the constant sight Of glaring Bears
Soap, and flaming two-headed baby advertise
ments fairly broke down his health. Hewould
SoapP and call himself double-craniumed
monstl osity; but his friends thought it was
joke, and never imagined he was getting crazy.
But by and by Scanlan. the actor. came along.
and his eountenance was posted on every dead
wall, with grin extending almost from ear to
ear. That grin'of Seanlan's picture had hor-
rible fascination for my friend. He could not
tear himself away from iE, and would spend
whole hours in studying the poster. Presently
he began to initiate the grin. He estroIled down
Fifth avenue with this frightfuI smile, and
from that time forth he became q regular lu-
natic. Heis down at Dixmont now grinning as
hard as eYer.p
a LAUGHTER-PRovo KING scene was wit
messed at one of our street corners yester-
day afternoon. The dramatis persona were a
lady and gentleman well known in Pittsburg
society. They had just returned from q coun-
try drive. as the dreadfuIly mud-stained ap-
pearance of their buggy amply testified. But
1t was not the buggy alone which had suffered
from the rural iauHt. Both of its inmates were
thickly coated with rich Perrysville mud. The
lady's face had not suffered over much. as her
hands were free; but the features of the luck
less Squire were almost undistinguishable, He
was dappled, after the fashion Of circus ponies.
with innumerable splashes and upon his manly
overcoat there was a perfect breast-plate of
mud. It was difficult not to be ill-bred when
the bespattered pair drove past. and scores Of
onlookers took no pains to hide their merri-
ment, The lady blushed through her veil Of
mud, and the buggy drove on.
+ ARLY yesterday morning there passed
through Pittsburg. on the Chicago and New
York limited, very enthusiastic young Scotch
man, Charles Gordon Mackay by name. Mr..
Mackay said that he was bound for Chicago, on
the somewhat unusual mission Of mastering
his clan. 1t appears that the prominent
'Mackays in Scotland, finding the old clan feel
ing dying rapidly out, have been trying to re-
vive it by every means in their power. "a reg
ular association has been formed" said Mr..
Mackay, with the chief of the clan as Presi-
dent. All destitute Mackays are promptly re-
heved. Widows and orphans of clansmen are
cared for and comfortably housed. 1 have
been sent across the ocean to start the associa-
tion in America" Asked If he knew Pittsburg
was stronghold of Scottish, Mr.. Mackay said
that he intended paying this city visit on his
return. He had enrolled over 100 Mackays in
New York. THE STROLLER.