The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-17
AROUND THE CORRIDORS.

Frank Baggs a Carpenter and builder of San
Jose, came to the City yesterday and registered
at the Russ House. Franks reputation as a
humorlst is established in the Garden City, and
IL IS seldom that his friends engage in serious
conversation with him because of his pro-
cHvlty OF twisting sober thoughts awry. Sew
eral acquaintance, with whom he was discuss
ing various matters at the hotel last night,
Iouno this out They had been talking about
extraordinary grounds for lawsuits, when
Frank drawled out:
1nat reminds me of case that came up in
the Justices Court down our way last year. 1t
happened this way: There are two neighbors
out on the Alum Rock road named Drummond
ana Hitchcock, whose places adjoin. Drum
mona, VINO Is Missourian. owned big white
mule which he priced dearly because of its
working powers. The animal, however, had
TWO 1alilngs. One was an abnormal disposition
10 wander from his owners premises and take
IN the ne1ghborhood, and the other was an
unconquerable appetite for corn, vegetables,
squashes. or, in fact, any kind of produce that
grew.
1T was useless to erect fences to keep the
mule in or the mule out. His heels broke
everything that barred his way and his teeth
could meet through the stoutest rope. Once
his owner anchored him with fairly stout
wire rope, but he broke it in the night. 1t is
yet firmly believed that the mule cultivated
ragged edge or. one of his hard hoofs and filed
the rope through. The mule had been shot,
prodded with pitchforks and chased for miles
up the hills, but he came back with the same
naughty twinkle in his eye and his appetite
more Unsuitable than ever.
FINALLY, Drummond consented to build
barn in which 70 keep the mule confined
during his off hours. The mule was allowed,
however, TO put his head out Oft square win
dow and survey the surrounding crops.
"Neighbor Hitchcock had about seven acres
OF popcorn in the field adjoining Drummond's
and what the mule had left of it after several
foraging trips was ripe and ready to pick. 1t
happened, however, that before this was done
his haystack in an adjoining field caught fire
one night and burned furiously. 1t
created fearful heat and the result
upon the corn was disastrous. Every
kernel of corn in that field popped, and then
was one vast vista of white corn. The mule
looking out OF his window was also affected by
the fite, even though 1t was quite q distance
on, and In the morning Drummond found the
animal stiff and stark in death. Then he sued
Hitchcock for causing the death of his mule"
"Why," said one of the listeners, 81 don't see
where he had any grounds for suit there
"You DON'T eh7'' said Basgs, with one of
those San Jose grins OF his. "Why, 1t is simple
enough. That mule had once been frostbitten
popcorn he forgot about the fire and felt q
reminiscent shiver come over him. 1t deep
ened to.a shudder, and, under the impression
that snow was about him, he laid down and
froze to death. So Drummond sued Hitchcock
for freezing his mule"
The listeners felt chilly as Frank drifted off.
A. M. Drew Of Fresno, the newly elected
grand warden of the I. o. o. F., was speaking
yesterday of q new and important en-
terprise started in his city. GA cor
poration has been organized with the
backing of Chicago capital" he said,
''for the purpose of utilizing the water power of
the San Joaquin River in operating an electric
power plant. We will at the start bring in
nearly 1000 horsepower. 1t will be used in
operating streetcar lines, mills and other
factories. Everything is getting to be I'M
usually lively in our town. There is more
building being done than there has been for
several years and the large crops We are
assured of cereals and fruit make the business
outlook very promising. OF course, much of
the healthy state OF affairs in a financial way
is Que to the starting of the San Francisco and
Sa1 Joaquin Valley Railroad" =