New-York tribune., 1904-10-30
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.
Keen Eyed Fireman PreUents a
Blaze-.4 Curious Lac.


Several hundred curious persons gathered in
Court-st near JoFalemon-st.. shout o'clock the
other night 10 watch fireman on a stepladder
polrinV a fishing pole through the fanlght OF the
real estate onloe OF Fred IL Smith on the ground
floor al No. 81 Court-st Most Of those In the
crowd did not have the slightest idea what all the
excitement about. and the solitary policeman
on the beat who stood uselessy at the foot OF the
LADDER was too weary doing nothing TO answer the
queries put 20 him all sides.
It's some sort OF q stereOpticon show" gravely
esid man with long whiskers- "A campaign
dodge you know"
There were some who seemed to believe him, for
on the window shade. which was drawn part way
down. was round black spot. with a tiny hole IN
she centre, surrounded by a broad circle OF Light
which came from powerful patent gas burner
on the window chandelier. From the top OF the
stepladd the fireman seemed 20 be trying 70 ac-
sust the chandelier in way. ana. as II swayed
back and forth. the luminous spot On the shade
Jumped while the spectators voiced their approval
Some OF them declared robbery had been com
nitted. while sure that the fireman
and policeman. although both were IN full uniform,
were bold burglars trying TO break into the Office.
When the fireman finally got down and went away
the crowd dispersed. but few OF them discovered
what Il all about.
Investigation showed that fireman. alert and IN
telligent. they all are while passing on cross
town car, had discovered what he called the
Enalzngs OF a nre' Some time IN the day one
tom knob OF the chandelier causing the linen shade
TO come contact with the porcelain globe OF the
Eas burner. Before closing the Office at o'clock
the boy had lighted the gas, which was usually
that the shade up against the globe or, II any
Toy dia he cid oiG not net ,i,msg;ns thaf : S would & 90
70 get scorched. Tho scOrched area gradually
irated. began 10 char and smoke. little hole was
finally barnCd through Later N the night the
tire shade would probably have burst into haInes,
sn5 the building. an old one, might have been
ooubteoly never have been guessed. which goes to
show what simple explanations there are for many
bsst had moi noticed the danger. and probabIv Oh
would not have done 50. Luckily, NJ IA Kelly, OF
home at No. u Woleott-st. 70 HIS station. dis
% SSyersa & The s embryo IRE 9nd jumped OF the car
was Ere yet, he would have been JUSTIFIED in
s BORROWED ttspSadeT from a an isita Gea On
one sice and ashgole from sporting goods store
open. ana through Il Kelly tried TO unfasten the
tried 70 turn the gas on but was no more success
3ul there For an hour he worked patiently while
sa me Su enc OF e poe n s against pSY 9Rs bdftd Ksg
-. ne is sHaqs % aho f9reihg The latter away from
enc OF the pole 70 the ronwork OF the fanlght with
thing safe. Kelly got down and continued on
s s way - bis station where he reported late He
aim TO any particular praise
On che State statute books there Is an old law
never been repealed. Il states that bodies OF
HoldieTy may not assemble within eight days OF
Election Day. The law IS stiu observed and for
shat period OF time, during the coming week there
vii DO no drills reviews in any Of the National
Guard armoTies. Members OF regiments may 10
thers only Tor social purposes. Il Is not known
Just what considerations moved the lawmakers
tn placing such provision the statute books
POSSIBLY they thought that some colonel Of a
lluer6nt political faith from OF his men per-
tapEs might order them out OF town on Election
lay, thus oeprtylng them of n vote Or perhaDs
the idea prevailed that the militia miEht De used
&os purposes OF intimidation the polls. Either
conuneency would hardly suggest itself 20 Us IN
Gsd IS nsvor before.
Some humorous inclesnts have cevslopea "a a
Eesuit OF the efforts os Elections sunzrintsndent
Morgan FOR an hOnext election. Through errors
nome vel known people have been placed on the
4st of 'susDected" persons. United States Ship
ping Commissions and eE-CongTessmsn Harry A
hanoury, Republican leader CT tke With Assem-
Diy District was tOld thst ne would have 20
HlNs shIisiactoTy explanation of his right "a
vote AanbuTy was born in Ensian6. He was Co.
esned 20 De enEry at nrEt then the suu,sn, 49,.
st y al struck him, and he hunted l,S ~ $50.
s pSIfs and established his rlEhe q Vots AZ
william ", Dyllman. Of No. 1s YIrth-sv.- ana
-i named Lamb bofh eminentlY ressserss .is 80
ssl51l.ss soL mo trouble through isnorsnos Tssev
.l.o-slt lsIooklya and Manhattan were an IN ~
eei1 declared they had lived IA s'f. oo5,nss ~,
t1teiai years. whereas a Fnaffer ~ sscss 49,,
Lac n9esee from Manhattan only > fsw y