The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-17

of 500 for such time as the contract may
err. It is one of the most novel contracts
ever entered upon The manufacturer
was perfectly willing to take the chances
on the proposition, In view of the fine OPP
portunity offered him for introducing his
goods to the notice of the public. On the
other hand Radges is now In excellent
health and believes he has a cinch far
superior to the lead-pipe variety, in that
1t is Theoretically sealed.
Sam Radges. 10 speak of him as he Ia
best known. is an Engishman by birth.
but came to America while yet a boy and
was for several years employed with a
mercantile agency in Chicago. When the
civil war broke out, he enlisted in the
union army in a western regiment, and
served as postmaster of the camp at Fort
Hays. At the close of his military ca.
reer he settled in Topeka, where he has
since resided, his business being the pub
LEGATION of the annual city directory. He
has no relatives I'm this country, but his
friends are numerous and devoted. His
constant companied on the street is a silk
en-hared blue-eyed dog called Mollie
who has her name enrolled in the direc-
tory, and will no doubt be supplied with
"A perpetual haven of rest I'm the new tomb.
1t Is unnecessary to say that the subject
of this sketch is a bachelor; an old bache-
lor In fact, for he acknowledges to so
years, and no one knows how many more
he might be convicted of. The years
have not borne heavily upon him; he has
always taken life easily, dressed well and
boarded at the best hotels The only all
ment he has ever been called upon to en-
dure is an affection of the eyes, and this
became so serious at one time that Il was
feared his sight would be completely lost
but "a circus man who sat In a game of
poker with him one night larconically OBJ
served at the close OF the exercises that
he failed to notice wherein Sam had over
looked anything.
Mr. Radges Is a prominent Mason, Odd
Fellow and comrade Of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Finding that he lacked
sufficient lodge meetings to occupy all his
evenings. he long ago organized the st.
Ananias Club, one Of the Oldest societies
in the capital city, its membership em-
bracing senators. Congressman, COVER
nors, lawyers, doctors and leading bust
ness men Of every class.
The only inhexibe rule of admission to
this select circle Is that each candidate
shall possess an indsputable record for
absolute unacquaintance with the truth
In years when the legislature Is In ses-
sion the capacity of the Ananias club
room is severely taxed. Sam has been Sec
rotary of this club from the date of or
khHlLdtlODt anu MS SiBHdAhit dNDiuh ali
its records. His signature, by the way,
looks like a womans back bonnet after
receiving a chance blow from an Okla
homa cyclone.
II only remains to add that the whole
population Of Topeka Is curiously inter
ested In the outcome of Sans various
contracts against the day of dissolution
and no little interest attaches to Banker
Mulvane's part In the unusual transaction
here related. There is a widespread feel
ing of dlstrust In the entire community
that Sam is not acting with entire pru-
dence. He has arranged for electric lights
at the tomb--the banker IL concerned in
the electric light plant. He has ordered
a daily morning newspaper 10 be left in
definitely at his last address-the banker
owns the newspaper. He contemplates
having the telephone line extended TO his
stone house on the hill-the banker Is
president OF the telephone company.
Should all these utilities be secured, things
will certainly be coming Uncle Johns way,
and when the last day OF grace shall have
expired, and ne proceeds to administer on
Sans estate, he is almost sure to find that
his strange contract viii not prove to be
such a very disastrous investment after