The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-20
PARK. SPECIFIES.
Ghost Like Apparitions Gliding
Over the Paths.
Caught With One Bell-Oficer Dobbin Solves
the Mystery-0nly Foot-Racers Prac-
ticing Their PAGES.

III there is one being on earth drawer than
park police officer. the records fail to prove
1t. This is especially applicable to the night
detail. All the dismal Nocturnal noises fail
to affect their iron nerves as they vigilantly
patrol the long stretches of their beats in the
park.
The rabbit may rustic in the underground,
the elk below. the festive h0odIum rend the
air with dismal dtty, accompanied by con-
eertina effects; his female partner NAV
chew her gum ever so loudly, and yet the
watchers Of the night are not terrified All
this Standardization applies, however, more
distinctly to noises - sights are another
thing.
TRYING ON THE NERVES.
When park police officer is strolling
along the iiower-perfumed paths say about
10 o'clock in the night, it does no discredit
To his nerves and courage if he feels taken
aback to see a long ghost-like figure, attired
in snow-white drawers, white handkerchief
around the head, two white handkeIchiefs
Tapping from the ankles, and a red rag en- =
folding the throat, come flying toward him.
gasping and grooming. Nor is it cheerful to
see this apparition stop little distance be-
yOnd the officer and then come flying back
past him again. 1t certainly is trying on
the nerves, especially when search is made
for these possible ghost-dancers or runners
and they fail to materializs. 1t would try
the courage of brass statue.
SHARP OFFICER DoBBIN.
Such sights as these have been noticeable
for several nights past in the park, and the
solution of the mystery might have still
been a problem, but for the preternatural
sharpness of Night Officer Dobbin. That
vigilant guardian of the peace heard ru-
mors that the ghosts might be athletes
training for some race or other. Also that
they might DO employees oF the cable-car
companies, some of which have their car
houses near the park.
10 determine this point definitely Officer
Dobbn borrowed car-Oell from an Oblig-
ing superintendent and with it in a cOnve-
nlent position, hid himself behind a shrub,
labeled "catchibus spectrum" close 10
where these nightly ghost runs occurred.
GAVE HIM ONE BELL.
As soon as one of the apparItions came
gliding up the path Officer Dobbin rang
one big, strong bell on the machine, and the
specter stopped as If shot. To cover the
ghost with his trusty pistol was but mo-
menps work with Dobbin. Hands up,
y9g blooming specter, and be quick about
it," yelled Dobbin.
"C-c-certainly, s-s-sir; certainly" an
swercd the ghost
What's all this nonsense about? What
are you running about like crazy idiot for?
Speak quickly, or forever you'll hold your
peace. What's your name and whats your
buSiness?" asked Dobbin.
why, I'm only gripman on the Oak
street line, and I'm practicing for the foot
race on Saturday. So are the others," re-
Piled the ghost.
''Oho, my boy, is that SOP Say; whisper,
now; who'll win? You? Is it safe to put
bet on ynu2' inquired Dobbin.
:" OIL can bet your last collar on 1t, Off
Ger, sure; IFS sure thing for me-" whIs-
pered the ghost in return.
All right, you can go, then, but no tun-
ny business, no throwing me down now in
the race, OF else" answered DObbin.
WANTED TWO BELLS.
Honor bright, it's on the square, sure,"
said the ghost. "If [ can go now Will you
please riug?"
Ring!' retorted DObbin, "ringP ring
WHAT"
Why, the BELL" impatiently replied the
ghost. You ring one bell for me to stop.
Give me two bells so may go ahead"
"Oh, Is that all. OF course you can have
them" and Dobbin pulled the tinker twice,
and oil darted the spectral athlete.
The gE2st thus being laid, or explained,
the tact was brought out that Gripmen Rea-
gan and Hannigan, respectively of cars 3
and VI the Oak-street line, feeling as much
confidence in the power of their legs as in
that OF their arms, had agreed to run foot
race at 200 yards for bet of $40, which they
afterwa.d increased TO 500 side. To get
in good trim they had been in the habit OF
training. in the park at night, and their
forms clad in raining costume had been
mistaken for ghosts.
THE RACE POSTPONED.
Yesterday afternoon was the date set for
the decision of the race, ana much interest
was taken in ;hs result by all the employees
Of The system, who bet so freely on the re-
sniff that Da1rtV SI0OD
Unfortunately some disagreement about
conditions cropped up between the men, and
the race did not come off. 1t may possibly
be decided tomorrow.