The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-02
SULLIVAN'S PLUG.
A Poor Purchase Made
at the Presidio.
The Expressmau Had a Hard Time
Getting Rid of the Animal, but
at Last Succeeded.

Jerry Sullivan had horse. He got rid
of him the other day. He bought the nag
at the Governments condemned animal
sale and blew in five large. round Ameri-
can dollars for him. Now Sullivan says
he was high priced at that
Jerry has an express wagon that makes
its stand on Folsom-street wharf and Jerry
is well-knOwn habitue of the water
front. He is secretary Of the Clam-alley
Social and Athletic Club and also is the
most successful of "Doughnut Sal's"
wooers. In this alone he has gained much
distinction.
About three months ago denizen of the
Twenty eighth District noticing that Sui
livan's black nag was become conspicuous
on account of his ribs, made a suggestion
to Jerry:
don't you tackle der plug sale out at der
Presid."
Jerry had never thought of that scheme
before, nor did he exactly grasp the idea
al first.
go long wild you, dis horse is good
enough fer any man 10 drive; them skates
that's sold by the Government is always
bunged up about der feet or der backbone.
Dey come nigh, too"
''No. tn don't" expostulaied his In
former. Der best nag | ever seed fer an
express wagon was bought out at the
PTesid fer ten"
Ten WHAT"
Dollars"
81 OILY gave 50 10 fer this fellow"
sighed Jerry with contempt.
Il kin get harack like dis stuffed raw
hide here fer five"
Five what?"
Dollars"
ilfzptTD, inv \
that, too" Mr.. SuIlivan's mind was made
up.
Three days later the familiar black
charger that operated the steering end of
Mr.. Suliivan's wagon disappeared, and in
his place stood d noble steed with one
white eve and an optic that dropped
wlckedly toward the cObbIes. He stood 10
hands high and was as long in proportion,
but his skin was as tightly stretched over
his ribs as drumhead. His color was a
ereenish-brown, varied by an occasional
sore spot that STOOD out in bold relief like
a carbuncle.
81 give for him." said Jerry, "and me
and Doughnuts Is going to go for a moon
light drive tonight. I've got a few sailors
kits 10 haul before l kin tell you about it."
When Jerry returned he looked little
bit worried.
DEE some'n wrong wild my racers in
terror. He's been breathing like a river
steamer and der policeman on der block
above here seq, Say, Gully, dat COW of
yours is blowing a gale. Another fellow
rrrtened NE wild arrest for driving too
fast"
Well, it subsequently occurred that ,)er-
rvs Government horse developed an awful
a; petite. He was weak in the legs and
back, but food did not seem to strengthen
him.
He's got stomach like great WE'LL"
said Jerry. ''and Pm just co nmencing to
N.l- l. \ II >
l kin make off of him. and l guess I'd
better sell him."
But Jerry couldn't sell him. AS each
day passed the horse developed some brand
new fault, until he vas rs full of defects
as the new City Hall. He grew thinner
and thinner every day. lame in two legs,
had sores on MS backbone aud lOins 1t
was plain to be seen that the Government
had got the better Of jerry. The animal
could not be traded nor even given away
He was too expensive TO keep, and too
cheap to sell. Jerry was in sore distress.
The law came to Sulllvan's rescue, and
this is how:
Jerry had Saratoga to deliver up on
Rlncon Hill be put it into his wagon
and started off at a one-mile- an-hour gait,
the horse breathing long and loud at
every step. As the sleeps of RinC on were
approached and the grade grew heavy the
Government horse baked. He even dis
played his displeasure by kicking. Jerry
whipped ana Jerry coaxed, but all to no
use, the plug would not move. Then the
driver got out of his seat looked about for
a small scaOtliDg, returned with % ken
piece Of sidewalk and prepared to teach
his horse lesson. Then a voice said:
"Move along there; move along. Plat
yer trying TO do wid de small boneyard
Y'better take that creature to d'hospital."
1t was the cop. Jerry wilied. ''Weli, be
kicked and dubbed in that part Of me
body where the pain would be keenest if /
ever saw the Ike o. that. Come along
wild me-you won't? Come along wild me.
I'll see that you don't 60 before Judge
Campbell"
The policeman made reach for Jerry
and seized the lines, He tried to make the
horse 90, but he couldn't. He got down
and tied the bride to post and said that
he would come back for the wagon and
animal later. Jerry was about 10 60 to
Jail.
But luck was on the side of the express
man. Suddenly noise arOse in corner
saloon and nan, pursued by three toughs,
came sailing onto the sidewalk.
Police pOlice!' shouted a woman aud
half a doZen small boys. The "copper"
released his hold on Jerry, said "wait a
minute" and struck out TO the rcscne
This was Suliivan's only opportunity. He
look advantage Of 1t.
Harness was unfastened, and in twin
kle Sullivan was In the shafts with the
wagon behind him on a down grade
toward the water front. He stopped only
to look around once, and then he observed
the Government horse peacefully masti-
eating the post, while on the other side of
the street the policeman was down. Two
t0ughs were on top of him and he was get
ting the star kicked off him.
'Thats how | got rid of der bloody
plug" said Jerry, as he DATED the neck
of an Misunderstanding forty dollar charger
fresh from the green nils OF Alameda.