The morning call., 1891-04-08
A :" SNIPE DRIVE"
The Cause of Great Railroad
Social Gulf.
Two High Officials Who Do Not Speak as They
Pass By-He Waited for the snipe
That Never Came.

A little coterie of Southern Pacific Rail-
road officials had gathered in the Palace
court last night and were earnestly engaged
in discussing railroad topics.
In the midst of an elaborate argument by
one of their number heavy-set man of
low stature, with sharp gray eyes and gray
hair, passed the group and nodded pleas
antly to the speaker.
"Strange fellow that" said high official
of the company, in terrupting the discourse.
"One of the most sensitive men l ever
knew. He has not spoken to me for years,
though we learned railroading together and
for the past ten years have met at least a
dozen times each day. Whenever lie has
any business in an official way with me,
which is not seldom, he does it through the
medium of pen and paper"
When questioned as to the cause of this
wide gulf between them the railroad man
said:
"The man who Just passed is H. n.
Stevens, chief telegraph operator at Fourth
and Townsend streets He is one of the
few experts in the profession, and his
services are held valuable by the company.
Soon after the completion of the Central
Pacific he came here from the East, Boston,
l think, and secured position as agent and
operator at Rocklin.
A TENDERFOOT.
The boys Of that commissioners was
about 20 at that time-at once sized him up
as a .tenderfQot,' and scented sport. lie
had been at the station about week when
he received an invitation to join a party for
'snpe drive He was assured that snipe
driving was a harmless, amusing and favor
tie sport of those living In the mountain
regions of California, aud readily consented
to participate.
"a dark night was selected for the drive,
and providing themselves with several Ian
terms and roll of gunny- sacks, the boys
left Rockin and wendell their way over a
trail to a high hill, fu lily three miles distant
from the town.
1.-The elevation was covered with heavy
growth OF manZanita, and crossed by sin
gle trail which lead to mining camp, some
ten miles TO the west. Here II was decided
to have the 'snipe drive, and Stevens being
a novice in the pastime consented to receive
instructions from those who had hunted the
gentle bird before. Accordingly he was
conducted to spot about 400 yards from the
trail, and told to stand directly behind the
lantern, which was to be placed on the
ground, ana there walt with the sack open
to catch a bird, which he was assured would
soon be attracted by the light and run head
long into the gunny-trap.
HE HELD THE SACK.
after posting him and warning him not
to be afraid Of mountain lions, the boys left
to station other sentinels in the circle. OF
course they all returned to town at once,
leaving poor Stevens to watch and wait for
the snipe.
" 1t has never been known just how long
he waited. but in all probability he kept the
sack open for three or four hours. About
10 o'clock it began to rain, and such night
has seldom been known in Tie mountains.
Stevens must have got lost, though no one
has ever dared to question him Oh the sub
ject, and wandered about the hill all night
At daylight the next morning he meandercd
into Rockiin, completely exhausted and
soaking wet. He had lost the lantern, but
carried the gunay-Sack under his urnl. The
story was too good to keep and of course
was told all over the road. The other ope-
rators along the line picked it up, and used
to make the boys life miserable.
"a fe w days after the 'snipe drive l
passed through Rocklln on a special en-
CINE. We stopped for ORDERS and while
the engineer was signing at the station
window / called out to Stevens, Hello,
Snipe! He looked up, grew very red, and
said simply. Woodworking.
From that day lie has never spoken to
me. and man has only 10 allude to the
'snipe drive to make bitter enemy of
Stevens"