The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-07

driven into the ground, and the whole has
the appearance of log railway such as is
used in logging camps. AT the end of
the wooden rails there is counter incline
about ten feet in length and furnished
with bumper to stop the boat on its
downward course. A rough windlass and a
clothes line at the starting point is used to
haul up the boat which is about ten feet
long and set on iron runners that rest on
the scantlings. Heavy cleats fastened to
the bottom OF the boat keep it from tear
ing the scantlings on its downward run.
This is the joint production of Willie
Pitchford, aged IA, his brother Harold,
eight years old, and Manuel Reverb aged
about ten. These youngsters are partners
and run their chute on strict business
principles, no dead head tickets being is
sued. the charge for ride is one bottle,
or a sack; three rides are given for an oil
can and three boys can ride for a nickel.
yves making money" said Harold.
yesterday we took III 81 70 in bottles,
sacks and cans and 81 05 in money. We
amt running to-day, but come around and
see US when we are and don't forget to say
that we've got ticket Office"
The "slide" opposite the Haight-street
grounds is in full view of all who ride on
the cars and has been running but three
days. This was built by a CO. partnership
composed OF Joe Misney, IA years old,
Willie Delmastero, Is years old, Tilden
Dicken, II years of age and Charley
Mester. 81 years old. Their outfit con-
sists of tower twenty feet high built OF
scantling covered with boards that have
been treated to coat of whitewash. On
this there is a platform, and from each
corner there is a flagstaff from which
floats miniature American flag Just as at
the big concern across the way. The slide
is also built OF scantlinPs as is the other
ones, bat it is only fifty feet long with a
fat extension of twenty feet.
In lieu of boat these youngsters have a
dry-goOds box fitted up with two seats. 1t
is provided with wooden runners and
safety cleats, and soap takes the place of
water to make the box 60 the bottom.
we built this all ourselves" said Char
ley Mester, land nobody helped u.s."
When the co-partners were asked where
they obtained the lumber they winked, but
spoke not
1--WE charge one bottle for a ride, and we
don't take no sacks and no tin cans, we
don't; and as we want TO catch all the
trade we give ten rides for 5 cents"
''Want to see a slider" asked one of the
boys.
Receiving an affirmative nod, the speaker
and half dozen other boys clam bered up
the ladder that leads from the ground
to the platform. 1.-THE boat" was turned
over, the runners "slushed" with soft soap
and then rested on short pieces of scant-
ling. When the boat steerer gave the
word four youngsters filed into the bcx,
which was tilted by main force, and down
it went with the load, the boys in the
meantime yelling. "Shake her; shake her,
boys" They reached the sandy landing
without any bumps or accident.
1--WE amt got her running smooth to-
day" said one of the co-partners, cause
we din't wet the track. We pour water on
the soap and then she goes like creased
lightning. When we slide the big boats
on the other side amt in it,
After a pay customer has taken his ride
he is given card on which are the words
IN rude characters, Il have slid the slide"
There is some talk in the neighborhood
Of placing boycott on the slide by the
housewives, who have discovered that a
serious raid is being made on their supply
of soap.