The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-19
HOAZED THE CITY MEN.
A Badger Pull Without the
Stubborn Beast.
CLIMBED A TREE.
The Ludicrcus Adventure Of Two staid Profess
SIGNALS at the Grass Valley Miners
Annual Picnic.

"Hasson pulled the string while Thomp-
son climbed tree" were the words OF
telegram explaining the result of hoax
which has set all the mining fraternity OF
California grinning from ear TO ear
"The story is running all over the CLUBS
and the country papers will be publishing
IL tomorrow. ] may as well give you the
correct version, l suppose" said Professor
Rassop. q little ruefIflly. to oALL TO-
norter last night. He Frightened up now
ever. and was wreathed in COLLECTIVE sihiieS
as he told his narrative:
81 NJ Thompson, the well-known local
representative Of the Westinghouse Electrl-
cal Manufacturing Company, secured my
services as an expert to visit Grass Valley
In Nevada County.
"We were gloriously received and enter
tanned by the right good fellows up there.
"In my early naval days had the neces-
sary constitution to stand this kind OF hos
pitality, but it staggers me little nova
days.
when I was formally notified that
badger pulling picnic was being aTrans ca
for at the great annual camp stew OF the
miners, made up my mind for something
out of the common to happen. Anu 10 ala.
"Alf Tregido. the popular Grass Naileyite,
bundled US outof bed al $50 O'Clock In the
Indian Springs. The 'Jaggers and Good
fellows Club were there in full force, some
fifty to sixty men.
Everything shootable had been shot and
made into great stew, and at midday we
sat down to enjoy ii, out In the open air.
Away to one side was covered box Which
contained the great badger which was TO he
pulled
and no one was allowed to worry II. was
solemnly told Of the fuss and feathers made
over the sport by tie ladies Of the valley,
who considered badger batting a cruel
amusement. There was great talk over
the special entertainment prepared for us.
Then dinner was finished and the cere
mony began. There were no dogs and
every one, armed with a big stick for pro-
lection, closed round the box in q big ring
Thompson was offered the post of honor.
but he got nervous and admitted that he
didn't know enough about badgers to pull
them.
Then they turned to me. l was all
wound up for sport, aud so, with big
stick in my right hand, | approached the
box cautiously and took the string in my
left hand. The others all stood around ia
! circle and waved their clubs expectantly.
Il grabbed my club tight - badgers are
| wicked biters, you know-and then, amid
| grim silence. L waited to yank the string.
"1he excitement was too much for Ih0mp-
son. Ye yelled to me- piteonsly to wait a
moment, which l did quite willingly.
Then. explaining that he was an old
man and unfit for biting purposes, he
| climbed up tree to place of safety.
'OGce more l got ready to pull - and
pulled.
Amid wild yells Of laughter which
drowned the thunder l stood and stared
| at the other end of the string, 10 which was
attached an empty beer bootle with the
4 cork H.
'"Ghai's the whole story. 1t was as good
a SELF as ever had played upon me and
was worked up with a gravity and earnest
ness of design which would fool Old Nick
| al