The morning call., 1892-12-25
HIS QUEER HOME.
Professor PeIton Explains
His Situation.
GREAT FAITH IN HUMANITY.
The Boy Was Caught, but the Watch
Is Still at Large-How He Went
to the Hall.

When John G. Pelton. the aged pioneer
school teacher of San Francisco. took his
family to live in the New City Hall he had
no expectation that his action would excite
SO much public interest and comment as it
has. After years of retirement from the
more active duties of life, and after the
world had almost forgotten his existence in
spite Of the great work he did for the
children in the long ago, he aw0ke a few
mornings aimee to find himself once more
famous.
Perhaps few people remember that there
was a time when John &. Pelton was super
intendent of tie House of Correction. Yet
he occupied that position for nearly three
years, aud many are the Characteristic
stories told OF his administration of affairs
The Professor. it seems, was always a
firm believer in the efficacy OF moral suasion
as opposed to corporal punishment In his
dealings with the youngsters under his
charge, and one of his adventures in this
direction has been recently recalled.
As the tale goes. there was boy In the
school when the professor was in charge,
who had given a great deal OF trouble TO The
officials and the superintendent sought to
tone him down by gentle means. One day
this boy applied for permission TO visit his
parents and the professor granted IL with
out hesitation.
"And now, John" he said as the boy was
about TO take his departure, II shall trust
you to be back al a certain time. Ia order
to show you that have the utmost conf
dence in your honor. and also thatyou may
know when your time Is IN. | will allow you
TO take my gold watch with you Here II Is, ;"
and he handed over his handsome time
keeper to the boy. who went on his way re-
joicing
1t took the police just week to discover
the whereabouts OF the boy, but the watch
is still al large.
But those times have gone. and Professor
PeltOn is living in the City Hall through the
kindness of the officials until such time as
he can issue his book. "Sunbeams and
Shadows"
Yesterday he explain ed how It was that
he went TO live at the City Hall
81 went there" he said, under peculiar
circumstances. Several months ago. while
working on my book. | asked for some nook
or corner where | could use my typewriter
and at the same time be near the library.
1t was granted, and small room in the
basement was placed at my disposal through
the kinadess of the commission. | re-
manned In that place but few days, when
II became necessary for me- tomoye IN order
to suit the convenience of the officials.
was given another nook IN tho basement,
where l remained for a short time when
the Mayor CHANGED to discover IL and kindly
requested Mr.. Hughes TO find me a more
comfortable place on one OF the upper
floors, where / would not be subjected TO
constant removal
mir. Hughes proved to be a most kind
hearted gentleman. and he gave me the use
| OF room on the second floor " hich had
| long since been vacated by the Seventeenth
street commissioners. 1t is snail. three
| cornered rOOm-the smallest, l believe, in
| the entire bailding-but was ample for the
work had to do. II is located on The
| north side OF the south wing, and no sun
| light enters ii at any hour of the day.
Il had been there but few days when a
fire occurred in the house where / lived, at
22S Fulton street. during my absence down
! town. Everything on hand was ruined by
| fire and water. When / got home little
| later ! found my wife and our TWO small
| children shivering in the rain on ths side
walk.
Il had just paid my rent 10 advance, and
| had no funds with which TO pay for another
| room. With the assistance of some gener-
| Gus friends we were provided with q mat
| tTess ana some blankets, and We took them
to my workroom in the City Hall. We
spread our bed upon the floor, lighted a
small fire and single eas-jet and made the
| best OF our peculiar situation.
| Early the next morning | was compelled
to 60 ont of town 10 attend teachers insti-
| tute, and before going asked my wife to ex-
| plain what had been done. On my return |
was given TO understand that il lad been
arranged and that it WAS all right.
Il have burned little Of the eity's coal,
which the janitOT gave my wife, and a small
| quantity of gas. II a single taxpayer OBJ
| iects / will get out"
| Professor PeltOn displayed great deal
OIL emotion as he went over the story with
| The CALL reporter.
There are many persons who believe that
! tbs free use of the room in the City Hall is
a very small return for San Francisco to
| make 10 this worthy man, as he has been
poorly paid for the great services he has
rendered To the youth OF The city in times
past.
1t lie likely that the Professors needs will
be recognized, and that the public will do
something to Tighten the burdens OF his de-
i Ginning