The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-06-27
PECK's BAD DRUMMER.
He Knew the Humorist Finally, But
Not in the Way lie Boosted.

They tell characteristic story Of
George w. Peck. When his fame as the
author Of the bad-boy experiences was at
its hight and while he was actually roll
ing in riches, Peck made a trip to Cali
foruia, 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 shabbily clad,
and in his coarse. limiting garments you
would hardly have recognized the man
everybody was talking about, ard the
man, too, whose check was good for
cool hundred thousand.
One day. crossing the plains. Peck waa
curled up in seat in the smoking car,
when his attention was attracted 70 a
group Of drummers across the aisle. The
train boy had just gone through the car
vending his literature and the drumrners
were discussing the book entitled 'Pecks
Bad Boy" One OF the party. a par
Ucularly noisy fellow boosted OF a par-
s9nal acquaintance with the author OF
the book-yes, he knew Peck Intimately,
ard forthwith he proceeded TO regale his
friends with elaborate stories of his ex-
periences with the Wisconsin humorist
From his point Of vantage across the
way Peck listened in silent surprise to
the preposterous inventions of the fell
low, and his amaZement deepened into
horror and chagrin when the garrulous
drummer, encouraged by the interested
countenances Of his hearers, pursued his
y.
scrupulous attention to detail, the Incl
dents Of an alleged spree which
'me an Peck" once enjoyed to-
gether You can fancy how wroth poor
Peck became when he heard himself
pictured as the verfest sot and libertine
for If there are virtues upon which he
prides himself, they are his temperance
and his morality Having heard HIM
self dragged by this superb liar through
the boozing kens and low resorts OF Mil
waukee, Brother Peck finally arose,
gathered himself together, and broke in
upon the mendacious drummer's nara
tive. He said that he had known Peck
a great many years and was able to de-
clare that Peck neKer tasted liquor and
never visited disreputable places. Warm
ing up to his business In hand, Peck
dilated with severity upon the evil prac-
tioe Of falsely laying claim to acquaint-
ance with people, a practice too often
INDUCED in by vulgar, noisy persons. He
concluded his castigation of the offender
by disclosing his identity. by denouncing
the blatant drummer as an impostor and
by saying: Hereafter, SIR when you ara
tempted to lie about me, pray let your
fancy concern itself with me alone.
When you report that am a libertine
you reflect upon my home rela lions, and
that it is an offense which I shall not
tolerate. You may advertise me as a
fool as a drunkard, as a thief, but be
precious careful not to libel or Islander
me in such wise as to wrong and pain
those whose relations TO me as wife and
children are my paramount, sweetest,
tenderest, most sacred consideration
The story goes on to relate that by the
time Peck concluded his remarks the
loQuaciOus drummer had shriveled up
into such a little wad that you could al
most have plugged keyhole with him.
Chicago Record.