The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-15
SOME SHORT STORIES
Mostly Devoted to HumorS of the
Late Municipal Campaign.
''Gus' Rahke and His "0uija" Board
Denny or 'Bust'-Various Brief
Tales and Incidents.

The superstition bump on the average
gamblers head is abnormally large; their
superstitious beliefs influence nearly all of
their actions 1t influences their play more
than anything else Let a beggar ask a
gambler for aims as he is on his way to
the play and he would not dare refuse 1t,
as there is a general belief among the class
that the refusal would be certain to bring
bad luck.
Gus Rahke had his superstitious beliefs
rudely shaken in the result of the city cleo
ton For several months past he has been
the fortunate possessor of witch board,
which is supposed to tell anything the pos
SCISSOR wishes to know; it also has the won
derful faculty OF bringing continual good
luck to the person possessing it, so long
as it is in his possession. Rahke kept the
witch board" in his gambling rooms, and
as is well known. the profits of the bust
ress were exceedingly large AT ore time
he was prevailed upon to let the board so
out of the room and the next day couple
of theatrical gents visited his place and
left with 81 400 of Rahke's money. Rahke
forthwith sent for the board and brought
it back to his rooms, 1t remained there till
all the gambling rooms were closed in the
effort to re-elect Sullivan. After the clos
ing order Rahke loaned the board to some
lady friends. He wanted to bet on the re-
suit of the election and decided to consult
his witch board he sent word to the
ladies to try 1t and see whether 1t said
Denny or Sullivan. Word was sent back
that the board would say nothing but Sui
livar. so Rahke wagered $500 on the strength
of the witch boa rd." AS the campaign ad-
vanced and the indications pointed TO Den Den
nv he. hacr n ernr
self to consult the witch board. The meth
cd of operating the board is to ask ques-
ton and the board will answer IL by num-
bers. which indicate certain letters the let
tiers spelling the answer. The board was
first asked If Sullivan would be elected. ana ana
was positive he could not lose by betting
on Sullivan. and forthwith placed $lOoO on
his reelection. The witch board, now
ever, was not engineering the city cam
paign and Ii cost Rahke just s., 800 TO learn
that the board was not infallible.
The Democratic workers during the cam
paign just past were much like the boy
who was going to have a great deal of
fun tickling a mules heels; and like this
same boy, it was well that they had their
fun beforehand. Down in the Fifteenth
ward. in the Observation-Disclosures fifth pre-
cinct. couple of enthusiastic Democrats
had trained rooster perched upon the sill
of the challengers window. The rooster
was the property of the Democratic chal
lenger, and every time he removed his
hat the rooster drew itself up TO its full
length = which was not very long = and
crowed to the full capacity of its lungs.
This was begun early in the morning and
kept up all day; in the early morning the
ROSTERS voice was strong, but as the day
advanced il grew weaker as If in antici-
patton of impending defeat, till at o clock
the bird scarcely had the courage to open
its throat. The little bird afforded lots of
outcome lasted. but it only lasted a few
hours.
A five-year-old urchin, living out on Bell
fontaine street, has taken a lively interest
in the political situation. His father,
stanch Republican, brought the name of
Mr.. Denny into many family discussions.
and the boy, Harry, with his five tender
years. grew to understand that last yues-
day was to be a prominent date in the his
tory of the new Mayor. On the day before
yard. heard laborer remark: I'll vote
FOR Denny or bust" To the youngster the
word bust" had significant meaning.
and, after puzzling his head for time, he
was struck by bright idea. Bust was
the other candidate who was trying to de-
feat his papa's favorite. He was sure of it,
and yhen his father came home, and sat
down to supper Harry prepared himself for
the speech of his life.
had the ears of the entire family.
What is it, my son." the parent returned.
Are you goin' TO vote for Denny or for
Bust?''
Last Thursday there was a most unusual
sight in front of Fred Heier's saloon on
South New Jersey street. 1t was about
ten minutes of IL o'clock at night. At the
front door of the saloon a little man was
perspiring and grunting as If his life de-
pended on the effort he was making. He
was tinkerlng with the lock. 1t was rusty
and would not work. Presently Fred came
out and helped tinker little while, but
he seemed 10 have no better success. A
small boy came out and he tried awhile.
Then the small boy was dispatched to the
rear room, and presently came out with a
can can, OF oil; ,. The oil was poured on the
was able TO turn in the lock.
HI of lot of trouble to have to fix
is elected" remarked Heller, in somewhat
breathless way
1t was just four years ago since he had
occasion TO lock his front door.
The Hon. Frank C. Alder, late joint Repre-
sentative from Putnam and Montgomery to
the Indiana Legislature, came over from
Greencastle last Tuesday night to assist
the Democracy in its anticipated jolIifica-
tion- Mr.. Alder, il is needless to state re-
turned to his hotel at an early hour, much
disguised and with the avowed determina-
ton of leaving Indianapolis on the first
train. The Representative, 1t is said, has
not given up the congressional idea, and
was seated with a few cOnSOling friends in
the lobby of the Grand Hotel when dap
per little porter approached the group. The
darkey was on the lookout for some one il
was evident. He scanned the face of each
guest. and then his eye rested upon the
Putnam county gentleman. Beg pawdon,
san, ne said, lis you Mstah Bynum?"
Great Lord" exclaimed Alder. I'll get
to Congress yeti''
The porter sought further for Mr.. Bynum.
A crowd of FOUNDERS were on their way
up Indiana avenue few nights ago. when
one of them suggested that they stop ar
Polster's to get a drink. 1t was after II
o'clock. and much to the surprise of the
gay party the blinds were all up at Polls
ter's and the bar loomed up without q
bartnder in sight
Great heavensr' remarked one of the
party, eff Polster Is observing the law
there Is no chance on earth for us to get
drink in indianapolis tonight" And there
wasn't.
Charles III. Black. the Republican candi-
date for Council in the Tenth ward. is a
total abstainer. and started into the cam
paign with the firm determination to buy
no beer for his constituents At one time
however, he deviated from this determine
ton He was met by a crowd Of men who
persuaded him TO believe that IL was an alb
solutc necessity that he furnish "the boys
with some beer. The candidate reluctant
"a fnr fvxn