The San Francisco call., 1896-01-10

general layout He got into his buggy early
in the morning, and, bidding Mrs. O'Brien
good-by for the day, told her he could not be
home until late in the afternoon as there was
some job on foot that required the closest at
tention.
"Along about noon there was loud knock
at the front door of the O'Brien residence, and
Mrs. O'Brien went to see who 1t was. Imagine
her surprise upon opening the door to see a
tough-looking ward-striker standing on the
steps.
"Is Jim in I? he inquired with rich Bow
cry brogue.
"'He is not and do not expect him home
until late in the afternoon responded Mrs.
O'Brien, politely.
well, If you can git word to 'em give him
de tip dat de gang is goin' to knife him in de
Tirty-fourt' Ward. See?'
"'I beg your pardon, sir. I do not under
stand you,' exclaimed the politicians wife, in
alarm.
"'You don't? Why dey are goin' to Civ i'm
de gaff, cut his troat Tip i'm off if ye knows
where he is
"'Cut his throat?'
"Dat's what. Dey amt goin' to do not'in'
to i'm but kill him dead. Now, dat's right
See?'
But, sir, you do not mean that any harm
will come to him asked the lady, now thor
oughly frightened at the prospect OF her hus-
DduUS QduSSTs 'CHUQOES something be done 10
find him2'
"'Cert Dats what I'm here fer. I lust
wants to tip de game off to i'm, so he will be
next. See? l amt t'rowing no time away in
dis game, but ii Jim don't keep his eve pealed
dey will trow de knife into his ribs and twist
it, See? With that he made clumsy bow
and staggered off, leaving Mrs. O'Brien in
very excited frame of mind. She closed the
door mechanically and went back to dress her
ra1F }.
Jim Immediately TO save him from the knife of
the opposition. When she was about ready to
go out there was a sound on The front porch as
though several people were walking. There
they are bringing Jim's body back. [ am too
late. They have knitted him at the Thirty
fourth Ward she soliloquized in agony, and
instantly few to the front door to see if there
was enough life left in jim for him to recognize
her.
''Jim had returned unexpectedly with some
friends, and at lunch all hands took turn at
explaining that the knife the 'gaff' and the
political twist was not, serious unless admin
istered by both parties. guess it is not neces-
sary for me to finish this story. gentlemen you
all understand what the heeler meant"
General Josiah Howell. who had the honor
of leading the Fourth Brigade OF the California
National Guard for nine years, having been
commissioned by Governor Low and Governor
Haight, is again sojourning in this State.
Most of the time since 1888 he has resided at
Sydney, n. S. W.. as the representative in Aus
tralia OF the New York Life Insurance Com
pany.
Sydney is a charming place" said General
Howell yesterday, "and counting its suburbs
is about the size Of San Francisco. It is now
midsummer there, but the weather does not
become oppressively hot. Yes electricity is ex-
tensively used in Sydney to lightstores, hotels,
offices and dwellings and to propel streetcars
CabIe-cars are in use as well as steam tram
ways. The cost of riding in the streetcars
between points within the city proper is less
than it is in San Francisco, but for
suburban rides extending distance OF three
miles or more the service costs more The city
Is divided into sections, and the tickets contain
sectional coupons. For a mile section one can
get ride for cents, but for the distance OF
five miles the charge is 10 cents.
"There is no tax in Sydney on real estate.
Revenue is raised by stamp tax on checks
and receipts. The system resembles our old
form of the internal-revenue tax on bank
checks. The water supply, which is abundant.
is owned by the municipality and managed by
Board OF Water Commissioners which taxes
the houses supplied, The Fire Department. of
Sydney, should say, is not as active or efficient
as the department in San Francisco.
''The people over there are great for holidays.
There is half-holiday on every Saturday, and
on Good Friday a holiday begins which lasts
until the following Tuesday. All stores and
Offices are closed, and business is entirely sus.
pended. The people of Sydney are great play
goers. Places of amusement are generously
patronized, and as for the races everybody
goes to them.
'"The people over there seem to get more en-
joyment out of life than the Americans get in
this country. The pressure of business is
lighter and social hospitaities are not neg
lected. The climate is delightful and the
suburban scenery of Sydney surpassinglyIbeau-
tiful."