St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-31

registered a vow not to die until some
one should have killed a duck from
across his back as rest.
Mr. Jefferson became so firmly con-
WINGED of the Gladiator's determination
to stick 10 this vow that he made up his
mind to bring some great man to Orange
Island to relieve the GladiatOr's long
years of disappointment by killing a
duck and thereby permitting him to die
in peace.
This is the reason why Mr.. Jefferson
invited eX-PresiGenu Cleveland to Or
ange Island, and took such pains to get
him there without awakening the
curiosity of the country. Mr.. Cleve-
land had been successful in so many
things. notably his disruption of the
Democratic party and the deadly blow
he had struck his own chances for re-
election to the presidency. that it was
only natural that Mr.. jefferson should
conclude that here at least was the man
to kill duck and to satisfy the lifelong
ambition OF the Gladiator.
Therefore, as soon as Mr.. Cleveland
had become comfortably domiciled at
Orange Island, Mr.. Jefferson encouraged
him in his natural desire to go duck
shooting. The result was in no wise
different from the eA-president's prede-
cessors in this peculiar sport.
Mr.. Cleveland took the ancient fowl
ing piece and, guided by the faithful
Gladiator, approached the ducking
ground. The Gladiator pointed as
usual, but 10 his intense astoniShment
the duck flew away. This had never
occurred before in all the horses years
of experience ana it puzzled him. He
looked at Mr.. Cleveland in mute IN
quiry and Mr.. Cleveland looked at him.
Something was wrong. The Gladiator
had never before hunted with so great a
man as Mr.. Cleveland, either in fame or
physique. 1t was not Mr.. CleVeland's
fame but his physique which had fright
ened the duck. At best it was diff
cult task for the Gladiator to conceal
Mr.. Cleveland, and therefore when the
ex-president carelessly allowed part
of his ample person to extend beyond
the concealing lines of the Gladiator
the duck took fright and sought safety
in flight.
With his customary astuteness Mr..
Cleveland recognized what the trouble
was. and, assuring the Gladiator that he
would be more careful in the future, he
drew himself as closely together as
possible and the sport went on. At the
next point made by the Gladiator, Mr..
Cleveland rested the fowIing-plece on
the horses back, took careful aim and
pulled the trigger. The Inevitable and
fatal recoil of the gun knocked MI.
Cleveland off his pins quite as etfectual-
ly as Harrison did in 1888 or as Hill did
in the speakership of 1891. The duck
flew away, and once again the Gladiator
shrIeked his wild neigh of disappolnt-
ment.
At great expense the Recorder is
able to reproduce pictures drawn by
our artist on the spot, of Mr.. Cleveland
in the act of aiming and falling, and of
the Gladiator pointing and giving
vent to his disapprOvement. 1t is with
regret that we are unable TO give rep
reSentation of the Jefferson family as it
watched at long distance and Though
telescope the maneuvers of its distin-
guished guest. But as our artist could
not be in two places at one time, we
have chosen those subjects for illustra-
ton which are of greatest interest to the
public.
Mr.. Jefferson is famous for his care
lessness in money matters. Some years
ago he was very anxious to watch the
appearance of comet which was re-
ported to be about to make its advent.
In order to do this satisfactorily, he
went out and paid $1,000 for telescope.
Rainy weather set in Immediately after
the purchase, and the only use to which
Mr.. jefferson has been able to put his
valuable instrument is to watch the
ducking endeavors of his famous guests
at Orange Island.
When MIR. Cleveland and the Gladi-
ator started on this memorable expedi-
ton, the jefferson family drew lots as
to which should take five-mInute turns
at the telescope in watching the result.
enough to be at the telescope at the mo-
ment that Mr.. Cleveland pulled the
trigger, of the ancient fowling- piece,
and it is reported by special wire to US
that he remarked:
Il have never seen comet through
this telescope, but l am quite sure that
no comet could have ever moved with
greater rapidity than Mr.. Cleveland did
at the recoil from my old gum"