Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-18
PECk's BAD DRUMMER.
He Knew the Humorist Finally. bus
Net in the Why He Boosted.

From the Chicago Record.
They tell characteristic story OF George
W. Peck. When his fame as the author Of
the bad boy exp .rierces was at its height,
and while he was actually rolling in riches,
Peck made trip TO California. partly for
rest and partly TO see the country OF which
he had heard so much A VIGOROUSLY poor
dresser, he was at this particular time very
skabbily clad. and in his coarse. ill-fittins
garments you would hardly have recognized
the man everybody was talking about and
the man. too. whose check vas good for q
cool hundred tho Isand
One day. crossing tie plains Peck was
curled up in a seat in the smoking car when
his attention was attracted to a group OF
drummers across the aisle. The train boy
had just gone through the car vending his
literature, and the drummers were discuss
ing the book entitled "Peck's Bad Boy"
one OF the party, particularly noisy fell
low. boosted Of personal acquaintance
with the author OF she book-yes he knew
Peck intimately. and forthwith he proceeded
TO regale his friends with elaborate stories
OF his experiences with the Wisconsin hu-
morist. From his point OF vantage across
the way Peck listened in silent surprise to
the preposterous inventions OF the fellow,
and his amazement deepened into horror
and chagrin when the garrulous drummer,
encouraged by the interested countenances
of his hearers. pursued his discourse TO the
extent OF narrating. with ScrupUlous atten-
ton to detail the incidents Of an alleged
spree which me an Peck once enjoyed to-
gether. You can fancy how wroth poor
Peck became when he heard himself pic
turcd as the Vcriest sot and ltbcrtine for IL
there are virtues which he prides himself
they are his temperance and his morality
Having heard himself dragged by this SUI
perb liar through the boOzing kens and low
resorts Of Milwaukee, Brother Peck finally
arose, gathered himself together. and broke
in upon the menda ciOus drummer's parra-
tive. He said that he had known Peck a
great many years, and was able to declare
that Peck never tasted liquor and never
visited disreputable places. Warming UP TO
his business in hand. Peck dilated with se-
verify upon the evil practice Of falsely Law
ing claim to Acquaintance with people, q
practice too oftea INDUCED In by vulgar,
noisy persons. He concluded his castigation
OF the offender by disclosing his-Sdentity
by denouncing the blatant drummer as an
imposter. and by saying: Hereafter. SIR.
when You are tempted 10 lie about me pray
let your fancy concern itself with me alone
When YOU report that j am a libertine you
reflect upon my home relations and that is
an offense which I shall not tolerate. You
may advertise me as fool. as drunkard,
as a thief. but be precious careful not TO
libel or Islander me in such wise 10 wrong
and pain those whose relations TO me as
wife and children are my paramount sweet
est. tenderest most sacred consideration"
The story goes on 20 relate that by the
time Peek had concluded his remarks the
louuacious drummer had shr!veled MP into
such a little wad that you could almost have
plugged a keyhole with him.