davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06
ONE OF THE FAMOUS TRAMP DOGS

had immunity from the poundman partly
because he was the friend of Lazarus and
partly because the poundman knew that
TO lasso him was to get himself disiiked 10
the business community.
Genial Ned knight, an Alta Califor-
mia reporter and a genuine Bohemian of
the old type, was responsible for the ad-
vent of hummer in San Francisco dog
dom. knight had been on visit 10 Peta-
luna one day, and on his return was ac-
companied by an Lnsainly looking canine
that seemed a cross between Scotch ter
rier, black and-tan and a japanese pug.
His coat looked like a moth-eaten muff
he had a wall eye and one ear was cropped
shorter than the other; and when any
one said RATS ~ he cooked his good eve,
threw his long ear in the air and searched
diligently for a rodent in a manner tnat
was laughable to behold.
Whether Knights company was too
aris ocratic Tor Bummer's tramp tastes, or
whether he was merely independent, his
tory telleth not, but he certainly left his
master and began to shift for himself. He
lived about the lunch-counters of the bars
where the sports of the Town congregated
and was a great favorite with them be-
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06
SOME NOVEL FEATURES OF WILDBIRD LIFE

The bird student who is not afield
good part of the time during these days
misses a great deal of pleasure This is
the time of all times when bird nature
shows most plainly. Up here in the foot
hills during the warm hours in the mid
die of the day the trees are fall of tiny
birds taking their first lessons IN fight
and the air is tiled with the sound of
their incessant piping.
1t is astonishing what volume OF noise
these wee morsels of life can raise. Three
baby linnets in the branches Of a willow
tree the other day kept up such a racket
for nearly an hour as would have caused
the riot act TO be read over them, had
there been any one TO doIt Whether their
parents had left them for good and all to
their own devices | could not tell. but the
old birds did not appear for a long time
and the babies were evidently and clamor-
ously hungry. Two sat high up in the
tree and the third perched upon low
branch. This youngster led the chorus.
piping shrilly, while above him the other
two made enough more noise to recall
vividly the old conundrum about the pig
under gate.
This par icuar tree has for some time
been the headquarters OF a bachelor tit
mouse-a jolly, happy, sweet-songed little
fellow. who has had the misfortune to lose
a portion of his tail, an lmperiection
which, while 1t has not soured his dispo-
sition, yet seems to have prevented him
from finding favor with the lady birds of
his kind. and he has all the spring lived
solitary in the willow tree. He was singing
cheerily among the branches when the
young linnets appeared. and for long
time he seemed in no way disturbed by
their commotion. At last, however, when
the noise became almost intolerable he
began TO show signs Uf uneas;ness. Evil
IDENTIFY his peace was disturbed and he re-
sented it. Apparently he regarded the bird
on the lower branch as the ringleader of the
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06
THE YOUNGEST VETERAN
William Shute Makes Indisputab1e
Claims to This Distinction.

Who was the youngest soldier that car.
Tled arms IN the Civil War?
Ever since the close OF the memorable
conflict the question has been asked and
hundreds OF men have come forward TO
claim the honor. Among tie many
claimants are men VINO served as buglers
and drummer boys. All those must be
excluded from the category and only
those considered who carried arms all
through their terms OF service and really
fought for their country One of the
latest claimants to being the youngest
soldier is Eugene Merrick OF Chicago
He was y years old al the time, bur only
did duty as drummer boy, so cannot be
considered in this article
From developments it would seem as if
the very young real soldiers did not know
Of the honors they have earned for them
selves, for they have been the last to come
forward.
Those who came first were about IS years
old at the time of enlistment. Gradually
the age was lowered until the latest claim
ant is man who was but little over IA t
the Time he entered the service.
The man re erred to is William c.
Shute, first mate OF the steamer Czarina,
sailing from this port. Il is several weeks
since he filed his claim with the proper
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

disturbance and after eying the little
creature discontentedly tor a while he
hoped down beside it and made threat
ening advances toward il. l was filled
with indignation at this. Even the Eng
lish sparrow shows consideration for baby
birds and will not modest one though II be
of another species. and looked to see at
least as much chivalry in the gentle little
tItmouse.
Nor. as it proved, was l so disappointed.
The tItmouse stood, for an instant, threat
ening with bin and wings. but the baby
clamored on, with the persistent regu-
larity of a clock that needed oiling
Cheepl cheepl cheepl at intervals Of
about ten seconds. 1t was too much for
bachelor nerves, and presently the tit
mouse disappeared, but in few minutes
he was back again with morsel, which
he offered to the shrieking infant. Surely
altruism could go no further than this,
but though the little bachelors s intentions
were of the best lis provision was not to
the Iinnet's liking and was ungraI Iefully
scorned. Doub less it would have been
acceptable 10 a baby titmouse, but not 10
a seed-eating Iinnet. The peeping was
renewed with increased vigor and
the titmouse finally fed in despair. A
few moments later papa linnet appeared
and coaxed the youngsters up into an oak
tree, where he proceeded TO dive a cropfuI
OF cherry pulp, probably, among them.
1t is pretty to watch the seed-eaters
feeding their little ones. The seed is first
carefully crushed in the bills of the par
ents and then dropped into the gaping
mouths of the babie-. 1t is wonderful to
note how many seeds it takes 10 satisfy
these little creatures. believe it is Au-
dabon who states that woodcock will eat
its weight in insects in twenty-four hours,
but IL certainly seems as if Young birds do
es much in the seed-devouring line
watched pair OF thistle birds the other
day jumping back and forth from their
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06
Unsuitable Boat.

A resident of Eastbourne has, says an
English paper, it is stated, perfected the
invention OF an unsuitable boat which,
even if full of water and split in a dozen
places, keeps its balance on the water. 1t
cannot be capsizsd by a huge wave like
an ordinary boat, but when struck righ Is
at once and rises 10 the crest Of the wave,
the water shipped being ins tantly dis
charged The boat is propelled by mvs-
ierious power, secret of the inventor, at
a cost of one-twentieth that of steam. and
at higher rate OF speed than is attained
by any vessel ahoat.
1t is, perhaps, needless to add that
this wonderful device mas been the SUBJ
ject of such extraordinary statements
in the papers, and that we are told, al
most in the same sentence, that the in
ventor will not part with his "secret"
Except at a price,, and yet that it has
been patented. Thus one operator says:
"Mr. Bridge, has, of course, patented
his invention, which mas been inspected
by representatives. OF the admiralty, who
have offered for the veterans secret a
price which, while substantial, he is
nevertheless advised, is not sufficient
Although the principle governing the in
vention may be adapted TO large vessels,
its application up TO the present has been
confined to models of craft used in the
saving OF life"
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

under foot with their elders in way
strongly suggestive of human childhood at
picnic. A pair of young goldtinches flew
straight into my face this morning and
took them in my hands. One made no
resistance, nor did either seem afraid, but
the smaller of the two made herCe at
tack upon my finger with his little bill.
Indeed, the fury of the tiny creature was
astonishing.
l took the two into the house and gave
them bread and milk, which one tcoK
eagerly, but the other, while he
did eat little, spent most of
his time pecking savagely at my
hand and scolding in a high, shriI
key. l had a similar experience with
young grosbeak that put my hand upon
by accident as l passed through thick"t.
He, too, showed no fear, even letting me
PICK him mp again and again, but each
time he resented the liberty by pecking
furiously at my fingers.
A pabV song sparrow that / CHANGED
upon was more clever than either of these.
The little creature could scarcely fly, but
IL made a dash into some tall weeds Just
at my feet. Stooping, made a careful
search among the stalks. l knew the bird
was there not foot from my hand, yet [
could find not a single trace OF it. AT last,
concluding that it must have crept off
through the grass, l stepped back, when
up it sprang from the very weed my hand
had last touched. Only its perfect still
ness had saved it from detection.
He must be quick who finds and catches
young quail. The little creatures lie
fiat at ones approach, looking for all the
world like dead leaves. Only their shin
ing eyes betray them, and these the casual
observer does not note. Come too near,
however. and low call is sounded by the
mother-brd, and instantly the little
brown leaves run off with wonder ul
1eetness through the grass. They are
quick as lizards in their motion once they
start ADELINE KNAPP.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

appears four acolytes bearing crucIix
censer, hyssop and holy water; then
come two under r-priests, followed by the
old priest Of the parish, who advances to
the front, receiving the crucifix, which
he nolds in his hands with bowed head,
as he pronounces the benediction, while
the incense perfumes the air. Then rails
ing the crucifx high above his head he
takes the hyssop filled with holy water
and sprinkles those beneath with the
precious drops. This ends the ceremony
and Immediately the hum and struggle
are renewed below.
In The side street ad iacent 10 the church
are coaGregated horses, mules, burros,
cows and oxen, and here younger priest
otfciates. These larger animals are not
so numerous, but they lack none of the
gaudy decoration bestowed upon those
within the churchyard. Here may be
seen a battered and bruised donkey stand
ing with dropping head and downcast
countenance as If he fully realized the lu-
dicrous appearance he presents, with an
old pair of trousers drawn over his fore
legs. Next to him stands a mild-eyed
COW, contentedly chewing her cud, re-
gardIess ot the fact that the castoff bonnet
of some "Gringo'' bedecks her head, nor
does the question of whether 1t is on
straight or not appear to affect her femi-
nine mind.
Horses with names and tales beauti-
fully plated and tied with ribbons are
made grotesQue by the addition OF i'm
mense imi mitation goggles over their eyes
while upon mules and donkeys the Mexi-
can intellect seems TO have expended it.
self in an effort TO make their appearance
as ludicrous as possible-some in trousers
and in shirts, some in dresses and hats,
some in fanciful resem blances to human
beings, and all showing that they feel
keenly the fact that they are being
laughed at
While it is religious ceremony and
while the day is consecrated, there is un-
derlying the whole such broad sense of
humor and such an evident desire to make
light of the proceeding that an observer is
forced to the conclusion that the people
are ashamed of their belief, and, while
they are not willing to fore 20 possible
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

nest to one tall thistle stalk, with its bios
SONS full of silky seeds.
The two must have made twenty trips
IN less than half an hour, and in that
time they com mpletely stripped the thistle
blossoms. These birds not only eat the
seeds when ripe, but l have seen them
with their stout little bills cut off head
after head of our little yellow thistles,
letting them fall to the ground. do not
know whether they do this in order to eat
the blossoms afterward, or whether it is
done just for mischief but 1t is very use
ful trick, as it prevents a great many
thistles from going TO seed.
A pair of Dluebirds near the house are
just now busy feeding four hungry
youngsters. These birds have to have a
certain amount OF fuss and feathers about
everything ihey do. Mother bluebird few
home to-day with pump, lively spider
in her bill. She alighted at the door oil
her residence, entered, turned around
and proceeded TO crush the spider upon the
threshold. Her mate sat upon dead
branch OF eucalyptus, near by, and shouted
approval. Having broken the spider up
she retired with portion and, presuma-
bly,, gave it TO one of the babies. Then she
popped her head out and exchanged salu-
tations with the head of the house, on his
branch. Then another morsel was carried
inside. She repeated this performance
half q dozen times. when, the feast
finished, off they both few.
The mother bird does most of the feed
ing. In fact, have not noticed the male
bluebird do anything more than attend
her upon her trips to and fro in search of
food. He occasionally enters the nest
and it may that he does feed the young
birds, but 1 have never really seen any
thing in his bill, whereas she always
comes laden with big bugs or long worms.
The young birds of every species are
manifestIv enjoying life. They chase one
another about among the trees and get
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

teeth and growled warningly when there
was any attempt al familiarity.
Bummer recovered, and the pair were
soon in their old haunts again, but for a
very short time. Some heartless wretch
poisoned Lazarus, and Bummer was dis
consulate. He howled and whined and
Iicke the dead body of his friend looking
the while mournfully at the sympathetic
sports who came to see the corpse.
There came very near being dispute as
TO who should have the honor of caring
for the remains OF the deceased canine,
but it was settled by thu man who had
bought his release from the pound pro-
ducing his receipt and taking the carcass.
He was a welI-known saloon-keeper on
Sansome street, and sent the remains TO
Wood wards Gardens, where Grub, the
tax dermist of the resort. stuffed the skin
at an expense to the saloon man OF $75
hummer was seen to refuse food for
several days and moped about with dis
consulate air. He never recovered his
spirits or independent air, and one day.
few months later, when he was kicked
down flight of stairs at the old Faust
Keller, on Clay and Montgomery streets,
he simply lay down and died.
People about said that the fall was not
nearly suffic to kill him and that he
simply died because he had no am bition
10 i've.
The man who kicked him was held un-
til policeman could be found, was ar
rested and fined $40 for cruelty to animals.
Bummer's remains were likewise sent to
the taxidermist and now repose in a life
like attitude in a saloon on Clay street,
mar Montgomery.
The man who bought out the place for
merly owned by the saloon-keeper who
had lazarus stuffed is anxious to place
Bummer beside his companion in life, and
negotiations have been opened to that end.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

on the field or afterward died Of their
wounds.
Did l feel afraid when l went into an
engagement? Not bit of it. l felt more
afraid year before wnen l went with nv
mother TO have my picture taken and had
TO sit in front of a camera. A battle
seemed 10 me like rollickinS good sport.
Something like a SNOWFALL fight, only
much more exciting and interesting.
When got shot, however things were
different. At first thought had been hit
with a big club; then | fell down and
wondered why could not get up. When
/ finally did realize that / was badly
wounded all hope left me. felt as if the
battle was over and the Union lost. OF
course the battle went on just the same,
while I swooned and was carried to the
hospital.
Il don't exactly remember how long I
was laid up. but when ] did get we'll l
joined my old company again and did
more fighting. The biggest fight l was in
was at Wichita. l was with Grant before
Richmond and with Sherman on the
famous march to the sea. 1t vas my COM
pany that formed the famous Jeff Davis
bodyguard.
"In all my experience I never lost a
DAYS service except when laid up as a re-
suit Of my wounds.
"The worst shock / received in all my
career was the day my mother came TO
take me home. She had a right TO do this,
because L was not of age, bu, scared her
out OF it by telling her would run away
again and change my name. Then she
world find ma fTnHar ha ~ ~ M
stances she thought the best thing she
could do was TO let me alone, as she was
sure TO get letters from me at least"
After leaving the army at the close OF
the war MIR. Shute worked at farming a
few years and then came West. In 1884
he joined Lincoln Post No. 1, G. A. R.,
and is at present a working member, but
looks very youthful beside his associates.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

Immediately noted that he was alone. He
looked troubled and sad and when a scrap
of meat was given him, instead of eating
it as was his custom, he bolted out of the
door with the morsel in his mouth.
This operation was repeated for several
days and then i: was decided 10 follow him
and learn the cause Of his strange actions.
Bummer ran down to Commercial street
where a lot OF old crockery casks were
piled, and there amid the straw was Laza-
rus, an invalid. Bones and scraps OF meat
lay about, showing that the faithful Bum
mer had not allowed his friend to want.
In about week Lazarus was convalescent
and appeared again with hummer. The
matter was considered of so much public
interest that the daily papers all had
stories of the occurrence.
A new poundman came down the street
one day and proceeded to take Lazarus
into camp. When the news got abroad
the man had hard work lodging an angry
crowd that threatened to lynch him, but
he finally got away with his prize.
A well-known sport was delegated to
purchase the release of the dog, and he
was at the pound before the wagon got in
with the money to set Lazarus at liberty.
AT the next meeting of the Supervisors
by popular demand special ordinance
granting hummer and Lazarus :he free
dora of the City and immunity from cap
ture was passed. and the dog mo-
lested them no more.
Within few months of Lazarus recov-
cry Bummer disappeared, and his COM
panion carel for him as he had been
attended, carrying meat and other edIbles
to the same cask wherein he had played
the role OF invalid.
Dozens of men peered into the cask
every day TO see how the sick one pro-
gressed, but none cared to introduce q
caressing hand, for Lazarus showed his
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

extent that traffic is suspended, and above
The hum Of blended voices OF The people
may be heard the vociierous protests of
animals as they register their objection TO
the unusual proceeding. The barking of
dogs, meving OF cats, squawking OF fowls,
bleating OF sheep and goats and the
screech ng bray of burros mingled with
human voices, either scoIding in anger or
laughing in good humor, make such
com bnation OF sound that one might well
imagine thai pandem onium has broken
loose, while the bedecked animals in the
arms OF frantic people add a scene from
Bedlam.
The ceremony begins at o'clock in the
afternoon, and Is repeated at intervals of
twenty minutes until the hour OF g. Dur
ing the short intermlssons between the
ceremonies those who have been fortu-
nate enough TO hold position within the
area over which the sprinkled water falls
free their way out through the throng
against the mass who are struggling for
place, and it is only when one IS within
the crowded space close under the balcony
that n true conception Of the scene may
be obtained.
In an area of about thirty feet square,
su rounded by rows OF orange trees within
tn patio Immediately under and in
front of the balcony, the devoat believers
OF nil ranks, ages and conditions stand,
packed almost 10 suffocation, while each
individual holds high above his or her
head some favorite animal in hopes that
upon it NAV fail few OF the blessed drops
which insure health and fertility for the
ensuing year. Then it is that the full
idea may be understood. Vile 1t is evil
dent in the tbrone that there is an at
tempt to bedeck the animals, just what
this decoration is cannot be de-
termined until the animal is sepa-
rated from the mass by being
held high up in the ar. Sheep
and goats with tinseI paper tied to their
wool and horns, chickens with ribbons
about their necks, bodies and wings. pigs
beribboned until their identity is almost
lost, dogs of all degrees with paper caps
and fantastic gowns. cats dressed in gro
tesque costumes, monkeys. squirrels, par
rols, doves, in fact every conceivable ami
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

and the two went together off to the
nearest lunch-counter for a feed.
hummer had recognized a congenial
spirit and had taken him into the fold.
For some unknown reason the new
conner was called Lazarus, and from that
day the two became inseparable.
At night they slept together, cuddled up
in some doorway or convenient packing
case, and during the day they could often
be seen stretched out in the sunshine in
some sheltered spot.
The advent OF a strange dog was the sig
nal for an attack from both, and the in
truder generally went running down the
street with his tail between his legs and a
firm determination to return no more.
When the old buildings that occupie
the present sites of the Pacific F-uit Mar
ket and Clay-street Market were torn
down there were hundreds of rats to be
killed and many merchant would wager
stacks of golden coin that either Of the
two tramps could Kill more of the pests
than any other dog IN San Francisco
They usually won the money with good
margin spare.
Ole day Bummer came into the lunch
room of a weIl-known bar and the fact was
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-06

/ authorizes and so far it has remained un-
disputed. Mr.. Shute thinks it will re-
main so. but says he is ready 10 give way
10 any man who will come forward with
the proper proofs.
At present Mr.. Shute is A. years old and
in the best o. health. He was born in
Maine on August 90. 1919, and enlisted in
the army in January. 1864, being a little
over IA years OF age at the time. His age
is nearly two weeks younger than any
pr vious claimant, and lis date of enlist
ment at least six months earlier. Conse-
queniIy NJ. Shute feels that he can rest
on his laurels. He has Just received am
pie proof as TO his age from his mother
and friends in the East, so stands in no
fear OF dispute. He also has his discharge,
pension and other papers 10 prove his
term OF service.
How did 1 come to enlist?" said Mr..
Shute, when asked about the matter. "Oh,
just because the other boys did. l was
large for my age, and always associated
with boys much older than myself: SO
when they went away 10 the war, why, l
had TO go, TOO.
"Of course you know it was necessary to
| be Is years of age before the recruiting
officer would take you. l was not, so l
ran away from home 10 Augusta. Me,
and swoEe, falsely OF course, that l was
Is. Three officers refused me, but at last
l found one to take my word, and was the
happiest boy in the county.
You may not think so, but 1 looked
upon the whole thing as one long, endless
picnic. did not have enough sense or
appreciation of my position 10 know what
fear was, and l looked upon the killing OF
my comrades as matter of course.
After about three weeks in the awk-
ward squad L was sent directly to the
front, and from that day until the time
was wounded ii was fight after fight. We
were not in any big battles, but think
my company must have been in at least a
hundred and fifty engagements. You can
imagine the work We did when 1 say that
our reeim lent left the State OF Maine with
1000 men; We came back with an even
eighty. Nearly all the others were killed