The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-02


the milkwagon that supplied the neiehbor-
hood when il stopped in front OF his mothers
door, after which he would hide in the alley
and await the plaGdits of the other boys who
stood In with him.
While some historians positively assert
that the idea of fooling thoughtless people
on April originated with Noah others are
equally positive that he borrowed the idea
and preserved ii for the benefit of mankind.
However this may be Noah is deserving of
much credit and is looked upon as a public
benefactor by those whose lives are made
better and brighter by seeing an elderly
gentleman with equity toes kick an adro lily
concealed cobble on the first day of April.
1t Is said of Noah that he amused himself
on an extremely wet and disagreeable day
by sending the dove out to look for i'm agi-
nary olive branches two weeks before the
summit OF Arsrat showed up. and then CIV
lug the poor bird the laugh when it returned
from its fruitless search. 1t is further
related that IL was Noah who induced his
son Shem 10 kick the first plug hat with a
brick inside, nailed a iour-bit piece to the
promenade deck of the ark for Ham to pick
I'D, and tied the first paper bag to a button
on the back of Japbeti's coat
Whether or not Noah introduced the novel
Idea OF having the motgue ring up pTomi-
nent physician when his Office was full of
high-priced patients is not definitely known,
but 1t is more than likely that he did.
Since the days of the ancients their Jokes
the public is generally becoming educated.
Ii is the young and thoughtless who usually
get caught, because they start in on the
business of the day forgeitul of the date.
Old people have proftted by past expert
ences and besides they wear glasses that
enable them TO see through an April fool
joke ere IL is too late. One of this class will
knowingly walk away and leave $50 gold
piece TO its fate, even IL the coin Is unat-
tached. The usual jokes were perpetrated
m al hau INV
for at least one day in the year. Some of
the tricks would have done as well at any
other time, but the jokers Eel / that they
should conform to the custom.
One very neat but over ripe trick was
played on clerk in a Mark et-street Office
not far from Kearny. He has q habit,
whenever friend comes in with package,
Of asking him what is in it. Early In the
morning a man came In Carrying a small
paper box. The usual question was asked
and the man with the box replied that he
was taking some candy home to his wife
II clip yourself" said the generous man,
placing the box on the desk and busying
himself in another part Of the ROOM
The clerk did so and sank his teeth into
what looked like a caramel. but which
proved to be cube OF Limburger cheese,
coated with chocolate.
The denouement of this joke necessitated
the scruooing OF portion of the office
floor.
Another trick was that played on fuel
dealer near Montgomery and Broadway
streets. He was informed that a person
living beyond the park had n load Of old
postholes which be could have for the haul-
ing. and which would make good firewood
II cut into proper lengths.
without giving the matter due thought
the dealer drove out through the rain. ana
not until he reached the address given did il
dawn upon him that ii was posts, instead
of holes that he was after. He Immediately
turned round and drove back instead of
drowning himself, thus demonstrating his
ability to take joke in the proper spirit.
But one OF the best jokes ever perpetrated
was played by food-passer in a Barbary
Coast restaurant - one of those places
: here the waiter comes out with an arm
full of dishes and shoots them around tie
table like pale-browed gambler dealing
stud poker.
1t possessed so much originality and
mirth-provoking humor of a higher Sort
did this joke, that the waiter is destined to
become prematurely great il he lives long
enough. The idea came upon him like an
inspiration and he at once select ed victim
in the person of q middle-aged man with
whiskers who was eating at one Of the
tables.
Excuse me-" said the waiter, scarcely
able to restrain his mirth, but there is some
mashed potato on your sleeve"
The man looked and Immediately saw
that he had been jo1ed in the most heart
less and humiliatinS yet intensely ludicrous
manner possible. while the waiter went off
into paroxysms Of laughter. He fipallylfell
over In ccpyulsi0ns and had To be carried
into the kitchen, where he partly recovered
only to revive and burst a bioOd-vessel
which distressing accident caused him to be
sent home and the boss had to hire another
man 10 pass food TO his feeders.
In the afternoon well-dressed woman
walked down Third street with placard,
Rooms to Let" pinned on her back She
attracted much attention. which she attrih-
uted to her dress and general bearing.
During the day about 40 reputable citizens
received joke notices to appear before the
Grand Jury and show cause why they
should not be indicted for perjury, failure
TO provide and other heinous crimes against
the commonwealth.
Perhaps the most beartless April-fool
.rick played yesterday was at the Custom
house, where, just at o'clock, some ore
tapped the gong three times. La times pat
that was the hour and that the signal for
closing. but yesterday new set OF rules
calling for each empioye to be at his post of
business until O'Clock went into effect
All unmiGdful Of the change, the gong
tipped them to their feet. and half of them
had their overeoats on when some one
called out, April foolp The boys are
looking for the fiend who dared play such
trick.