The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

mellow mood to demand an explanation,
ana finding himselfin possession, humor-
ously proceeded to destroy all the copy IN
sight. Having Gratiied this weird sense
of the ridiculous he denuded the desks OF
their litter, broke all the pens and pencils,
and ended by toning the picture OF edlto-
rial desolauon with the violet contents OF
all the ink bottles he could find.
Just about that time the future general
OF the Pullman forces in the great Chicago
emeute was in the state OF philan thrcpic
ecstacy supposed 10 be fixed and un-
alterable with such geniuses as the re-
form leader he afterward vanquished. He
was on strike, and a destructive one at
that, from the scene cf which he escaped
as soon as The ruin was complete.
The staff was busilv patching The gap
he had made in their days work when he
returned in the dark Of the night and
bonn barded the windows of the editorial
rooms with the slaves of old ash-barrels
he ha broken up for that purpose in the
alley near by.
This was another good joke, OF course
the smashing into smithereens OF the
Tribune editorial windows.
However, no one ins de seemed to ap-
preciaie it, and Wickes' inspired sense Of
humor having failed 10 gain HIM boon
companion, even 10 assist at an operation
on single bottle Of tzz, he tackled off to
the apartments he had taken at the ST.
James Hotel. hiiariou3ly disguised.
Then began Field revenge, deliberately
planned and maliciously executed. Field
had notion enjoyed by a few persons
here and there. that the greatest benefit
one can confer is 10 help, with the oppOr-
tunity of self-heip. those timid struggle
lers-to borrow 4 modern Gallo sub
stantive-who are always willing but
relatively forceless. Such a character was
"Possum Jim, - very aged but serious
colored man. who spent most OF his ex-
isience on the same street corner waiting
for job.
His tools consis led OF an express wagon,
strung together with remnants of tele-
graph wire. and pathetic four-footed
nondescript that some decades before had
been a horse. Whenever Field had an odd
job TO be done for his household he would
go out of his way to let old 'Possum JIM
earn the quarter. In return for this con-
sideration and the good word with which
it was accom- panied old Jim" became
reck.essly grateful and deyO;ed to Field.
Before the Tribune went TO press a SER
geant of police called on + .eld III respon Sc
to a telephoned request. He came with
troubled countenance, but left in a halo of
smiles.
Accompanied by a member of the staff
who was made confederate in the plot,
Field soon after left the office to make the
rounds OF The all-night haunts in which
the newspaper men were wont to prepare
for bed. Half a dozen frst-class repre-
sentatiYes, in standing and capacity. of a
worldly literary species then digni6ed by
the title OF Bohemians, were tectfully got
Ten together and finally stalled al the re-
sort WHOLESALE and retaiD of one Ken
tuCky gentleman named Jones, opposite
tho St. James Hotel. The amber milk Of
the bluegrass cow was called ior in plenty.
Field cached bottle in his coat, got the
promise of every one to remain and crossed
the street to the hotel.
Half an hour later he returned. Hang
ing to his arm was Tom Wickes, very
happy, more of good fellow than ever
and ready for redeyed anarchy OF any
sort. After swift hour, and as morning
K
for sunlight and fresh air. Wickes was
always a leader, even in the matter of
making a noise. He sang; every one else
applauded. He shrieked and shouted :;
all approved. Windows went uD across
the way in the hotel and nigh capped
heads protruded to investigate. The
frantic din of the electric bells could be
heard. The clerk appeared to protest.
Just then old "Possum Jim's" Rosi-
nante and rattle-trap rounded the corner.
II say, old man." shouted Field, I'VE
want your rig for an hour. What is 1t
worth? ?" jim played his part slyly, and
the bargain was finally struck for 81 so,
the owner 10 present no claim for possI bic
damages. Wickes was so delighted with
the shrewdness OF the deal that he in
sisted on paying the pill. The horse was
quickly embarrassed and tied 10 a tele-
graph pole, and before Wickes realized it
he was himself harnessed in the shafts.
The novelty of his position suited his
mood. He pranceG and snorted ami
paved and whinneyed and played horse
in fine form until the word 60. Field held
the reins. with a com panion beside him.
The Others helped the thoroughbred the
best they could by pushing.
In this manner, and al yelling in dis
cord, the run of the block was made twice.
Every guest in the front of the big hotel
was head out OF the window when the