The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-08

withered sprig in his hand, represented
winter. The exercises closed on the plat
form with a short address by Superln-
tendent T. ]. Nevin, the first that ever
held that Office, and the singing of When
Earlv Mornings Ruddy Light
"Then there was a scramble for the
lunch spread on tables under the trees.
There was bountiful supply not only for
the children, but for the large number OF
adults, and there was much left over, for
the management did not reckon to a sand
wich or a slice of ham how much would
be needed. The little Queen retired to the
bower of beauty coZy nook that had
been specially prepared and decorated for
her. and there she held a reception until the
setting of the sun announced that her
reign was fast approaching its close. 1t
was brief, but it was pleasant while it
lasted. | have no doubt there are yet
many in this City at this time who took
part in this memorable outing, and the
publication of what l have told you will
awaken in them pleasant memories of
their childhood days.
speaking of children" continued the
Colonel, 81 want to tell you something
about the little ones when they were COM
paratiyely a curiosity in this City. A
friend of mine who came here in January,
1851, on the steamer Tennessee, that was
wrecked in March, 1853, by running ashore
in what is now known as Tennessee Bay,
when she was coming to this port with
more than 900 passengers on board,
brought besides his wife, son and
daughter, the latter four years the senior
of the former. The boy was not a bad
looking little chap. He used to wear his
hair in long curls, and he and his sister
were part Of the juvenile population of less
than 800 that then lived here. One day,
in company with his sister, he was walking
along the rough and uneven sidewalks OF
Montgomery street, near Commercial.
bearded individual, whose brown SOM
brero, red shirt and pantaloons tucked
into high boots denoted that it was not
long since he had come down from the
mines. Without saying a word he
stopped down and picked up the
little fellow, and, pressing his sum
burned face against the delicate
cheeks of the boy kissed him dozen times
before the youngster could utter sound,
but in a few moments the little fellow
struggled to get out of the big mans
embrace and the sister pleaded to have him
let her brother go. He turned to her and
said, Don't be afraid, little girl; l won't
hurt him. There were tears in his eyes
as he spoke and his voice was choked with
emotion, but after placing the boy on the
walk again, and still holding him by the
hand, he with the back of his other hand
wiped away the glistening tears that
coursed down his cheeks, and then for a
moment recovering himself he turned to
the girl, saying to her: Il could not help
it. Your brother is the image of my little
boy that left in the States when l came
here, and l have not seen him for two
years. When saw your brother ] thought
it was my boy, so / could not help kissing
and hugging him. l know it's foolish, but
I could not help it, He then placed a $40
piece in the boys hand and told him to go
and buy some candy with it. After that
he rested his head on his arms and he was
still weeping, thinking of home, wife and
the little boy he had left behind him and
no doubt wondering if he would ever see
them again.
"a few months later this same little fell
low was crossing Commercial street, when
a reckless teamster, driving horse at
tached to a dray, drove against him,
knocked him down and one of the wheels
passed over one of his arms. Fortunately
for the boy, the arm sank in the soft mud.
and in that way was saved from crush
ing. The driver was going on without
stopping to ascertain what injury, if any,
he had inflicted, when a number OF men
who had witnessed the occurrence called
ON him to halt, and when he turned around
he found himself looking at half dozen