The record-union., 1893-11-18
REICHERTO STORY.
A PitifuI Tale of Woe and Crime Told
by the General.
How 1t Came About, What Came of
1t and What 1t All
Meant.

Sacramento from the Bay there was in
the smoker a knot of young lawyers.
bound for the Capital to attend upon the
Supreme Court. The General and several
genial souls of his order fell in with
the young gentlemen of the bar, and
number of the elders of the business
world beside made up companionable
group.
AS the entire lot proceeded to make the
atmosphere dense with smoke, some one
told good story, and then another and
another. Nearly all of them were of per-
sonal experiences or observation.
"Well," said the General, there was
one bright young limb of the law whose
turn came presently aud he told the most
pathetic and thrilling tale ever related
upon a railway train. And how he did
tell it. Why, good g-r-a-c-i-o-u-s you
never heard the like. He had all the
people in the crowd sobbing and shifting
right of.
'Of course, can't tell it as he did, but
can give you an idea. 1t was brand
new story, though, as you will see, II had
a chestnut for a snapper, tinish-the
climax, you call it, eh?
He said he had just been in attend
ance on one of the courts in San Fran
cisco and witnessed the most pathetic
scene it had ever fallen to his lot to read
OF, hear or see. In the dock was a
prisoner-a fine young man in appear
ance, bearing ali the evidences OF refine
ment and intelligence. He had an ex-
pressiVe, handsome face, a voice OF eX-
ceeding gentleness of tone and winning
manner of speech.
The manly young chap was charged
with burglary, and the Judge asked him
if he waived examination or if he desired
to be heard. Well, he got up, said the
relator Of this touching story. and with
countenance full of pathetic feeling, and
deeply marked by the pangs Of mental
suffering in his marvelously sweet voice.
he said:
81 am guilty, your honor. There is
no need denying it. ] did break into
Main & Winchesters saddlery store, sir,
but before being held to answer, if your
honor please, I'd like to say word
Certainly replied the Judge; go on.
| will hear what you have to say
"'Well, sir, three months ago l was
living in Minnesota. | had fair employ
ment and wages. But times got hard and
| was cut down in my salary. Then my
wife fell i'll, sir, and the doctors said If
she did not have change of air she'd go
into a rapid decline and 'd lose her
whom [ love more than my life. We had
two chiidren-a boy of four and babe of
one year-and it was becoming apparent
that nv poor wife would be unable to
care for them unless she speedily re-
gained her health.
$50 l sold out my few effects, and
with what had as a result we started for
the Pacific Coast. We went to Portland,
Oregon. But, try as l might l could get
nothing to do. Every business position
was filled, and for all work three unem-
,G ind I of on mr.
and apt, but could get nothing to do.
"'We g resolved to come on to California,
and we arrived here two weeks ago. After
getting my little family into poor room
had but Sl5 left, and there was need for
medicine and good food at once, for my
wife remained feeble, and l could not pro-
cure for her even then what was neces-
sary for her restoration to health.
''To add to our woes. the little one, our
baby, had taken cold coming down on the
steamer and fell very i'll. Very soon my
money was gone. had sought high and
low for work; begged forit; l bemeaned
myself to implore it. But all places were
Titled, and nowhere could procure any
sort-of employment.
"fDay after day | tramped the streets,
disappointed at every turn, and at night
went back to our poor room to see my
loved ones dying for lack of decent food.
Then the baby died, and went to a pau
per's grave, and the blow completely
prostrated my gentle. accomplishing
wife.
81 was half-crazed. I made new ex-
ertions. l earned few dimes now and
then, but they did not suffice to pay the
daily rent of our room. l searched up
and down your busy streets for work.
went far and near, but in vain. One man
did offer me a pittance to go into the
country, but 1 dare not leave my wife
and child, with no hand to minister to
them,'
"At this point" said the General,
''everyone in the car had gathered about
the story-teller and there was not dry
eye in the job lot. Oh, the pitifulness of
| the voice of that narrator. Why, sir, he'd
make stone bleed tears.
"'Well,' went on the story-teller after
an interruption of nose-blowing and
other disguises for feeling, that young
man in the dock, after burying his face
/ in his hands for a few moments, choked
| back his sobs and went on.
""The world seemed turned against
me. even the sun grew dark before my
eyes, and heart-brollen, faint for want of
sustenance. but fainter because must go
! home without a morsel for the sick one
and my child, returned one evening to
find the pale face on the pillow paler still
and the thin, blue lips chill with suffer-
| ing, and my little boy crying with
hunger.
"'Then desperation seized me and
| kneeling down / swore [ would hav 9
food for them, if had to steal it.
We'll, Judge, that is all. That night
l broke into the harness store, sir, and
they caught me, and
''Right here" said the General, 81
broke in. Icouldn't restrain my feelings
longer, and l cried out, The blamed fool
what did he break in there for, he
couldn't find food there.'n
"'That is what the Judge asked him,
replied the young lawyer, as he wiped
| away a tear and his voice trembled with
emotion as be spoke.
"'Yes, the Judge asked him what food
he expected to get in such place.
And what did he say?' sobbed the
General.
"'Oh, he replied, that ne expected to
get a supply Of whip crackers
According to General Reichert it re-
quired the combined efforts of the con-
ductor, two brakemen, hotel runner
and the peanut boy to prevent himself
and the others from chucking that bright
young lawyer through the car window
and the train going twenty-seyen miles
an hour.
''Whip crackersl that old minstrel gag
and to take in the whole party. tool bah
But I'll get even with that legal youth
yet," the General declared, as he gave
away the snap that made him she'd tears.
Articles of Incorporation.
The following articles of incorporation
have been filed In the Office of the Secre-
tarv of State.