The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-18
A GHOULISH TRICK.
Rough J0kers Send Dead Wagon
for a Sick Man.

Terrence Macgillicuddy's hack is the
pride of the Mission, and Terry himself the
finest whip and most rollicking, jovial jehu
that the city boasts. His good nature is
proverbial and for that reason he Is more
often the butt of his comrades jokes than
justice or fair play warrants. Some two
weeks ago the genial hackman contracted
severe cold, which all the efforts of low
ing wife could not induce him to take care
of. In consequence of the open season
business had been dull with him; some bills
were pressing, and he would not be led to
take holiday for his health's sake. The
natural consequence followed. The simple
cold became severe one, and from that de-
Vel0ped INTO severe case Of la grippe,
which brought him 10 bed whether he
would or not
Thus it happened that for the past two
weeks Terry was not in his accustomed
place. Part OF the time his case Was severe
enough to alarm his best friends, but at
length his wile's good care and his own
splendid constitution won the day, and he
was pronounced on the road to recovery.
This was good news for the boys. They
had missed Terry's smiling face and good
natured chaf, and were really glad when
the news was sent them that Terry might
be expected on the stand" at any day. But
the boys have a peculiar way Of sbowin2
their gladness as can be judged by what
follows:
No sooner had the announcement of Mac
glllIcuddy's convalescence been made than
The widest of the hackmen entered into
negotiations with one of the medical col
legeS 10 supply it with corpse for dissec-
uon. A plausible story was made up that
poor fellow had died, leaving neither friends
nor money for his burial, and the college
could obtain the body for its removal. Such
an offer is not often made, aud the college
authorities jumped at the chance of obtain
Ing IL. Terrence Macglllicuddy's name and
address were given, and after darkness fell
the dead-w agon Was sent TO bring in the
subject.
Arrived at the house the driver knocked,
ana in answer to his summons the good
vile, from an upper-Story window, de-
manded in foggy accents, Who's there?'
The man was not quite prepared for such
a conundrum and hestated to reply, but
finally answered back that he was looking
for Mr. Macgilicuddy's house.
That's US" came back from the third
story. and a minute later the corpse hunter
was admitted and uahered upstairs.
Now the man, though not acquainted
with Macgillicuddy, knew him well by
sight, and on entering the sck-chamber
where tue supposed dead man lay was as
tonIshed to see the popular hackman eying
him closely from the bed in which he was
comfortably tucked away. He instantly
connected the man and his name for the
first time, attempted to stagger out an ex-
cuSe, failed miserably, anu was about 10
withdraw, when Macgillcuddy with one
bound was out OF bed aud had a vise-like
grip upon the throat of the intruder. The
strong man quaked beneath the righteous
indignation of the husband and wife, and to
escape rougn treatment explained as well as
he knew how, how he came on his errand.
When he had told all he was released, and
with message OF defiance to the corpse
cutters, the victim of the rough joke sought
his bed once more, while his terrified spouse
saw the man to tue door, beratiDg him at
every step Tor the innocent part he mad
taken in the transaction.
The latest heard from Terry is that he
has offered reward for the discovery OF
the jokers, with whom it will go hard when
he gets out He is very indignant, ami
while willing to give aud take within GER
tain bounds, emphatieaily declares that the
laugh will not be on him when he finds his
man.