The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-18
QUEER HAPPENINGS.

Odd Experiences of an Old-Time News
paper reporter.
1t is n fact which cannot be successfully
denied that some newspaper reporters of
the old school used occasionally to get
drunk. Such things do not happen nova
days, Of course. And some of the queer
things they did when in this sad aud shock
ing condition served occasionally to make
space for them. or money, the same thing,
afterward. A jolly old yachting reporter,
who died some years ago, was seen early
one morning by younger reporter, who
had sunrise assignment, pacing the Bat
terry in decidedly detected state Of mind.
What's the matter, captain ?' asked the
young man.
Not much" was the answer II haven't
been home, though" this with a plying
shake of the head. The captain lived in
Brooklyn.
Haven't been home since yesterday
Why not ."
Brooklyn Bridge is lost Gone down.
guess. Heard anything about it? Police
know Of it? Can't be beat | suppose.
thing of that magnitude. Sure to be found
out in an hour or so. Evening papers, no
doubt. will get and take all the edge off it,"
Come off, Captain. The bridge is all
right / came across it an hour ago"
Don't say. That's queer. You see, about
2 o'clock this morning ! came out of a drug
store aud made for the bridge. In minute
or two l was walking up the Bowery.
Asked policeman where bridge was. He
says, Il IN going that way myself. PIl show
you We walked little way. and then he
pointed his stick and says: There's the
bridge. Right straight ahead. Good-by.'
Il started IN the way he pointed, and the
next thing | was walking along West Cham
bers street, and 1 met another policeman
and asked him where the bridge was, He
says, Pm going as far as the City Hall: I'll
show you So we walked little WAYS and
he points out the bridge right ahead, and
says good morning.
Il started for the bridge and the next
thing | was walking down Lower Broad
way. Met another policeman and asked
HIM where bridge was He says, Pm 60
ing up that way myself. Come along Not
much, says ]. Bridge isn't where il used
to be. I'm going down to the Battery to
Look for it. And here l am, but it Amt
here And | amt been home''
On another occasion the captain went M
to report an important meeting of the New
York Yacht Club in reference to a match
for the Americas cup. He wrote the ae-
count OF 1t while waiting Tor the final dis
cusson to close, and he put it in his pocket.
Before returning TO the Office he stopped for
a little stimulant, aud there fell asleep with
his head on table. 1t was 4 80 o'clock in
the morning when he awOke and tha
thought that his paper had been beaten on
this important story sobered him in an in
slant 1t was too late then TO make amends.
so he went home and to bed. When hs
awOke he looked at his paper the first thing.
and there he found frst-rate account Of
the meetin
'' l wOnd ! who wrote that" said he. SIT
isn't at all bad. / must look sharp or the
city editor will fill my place with this new
fellow. lie seems to know more about NV
department than / like" When he got 10
the Office be assumed an apologize manner,
and asked who wrote that story. lyon
wrote it yourself, SIR" said the assistant
night editor. who had come round carly
looking for something fat ''You had a
lovely jag when you handed it in, but il
read straight enough Where did you 90
after you left the oflice2'
" must have sol up and come down here