Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-22

sierras. dying at his post
From the Atlantic to the Pacific the
poem was copied. "Binley and a. was
given a full page in 'Leslie's Weekly"
with a portrait of Bret Harte, and de-
scribed as the best short poem of the de-
cade."
1t was many years before Mr.. l5arte de-
MED its authorship. The poem has since
been Incorporated in several books OF pop
ular recitations, Notwithstanding Binley
freezes to death beside a roaring locomo-
tive with one hundred and fifty pounds OF
steam up and two cords OF wood within
reach.
Another famous joke from Sam Davis was
yarn about a Nevada boy who was sup
posed to have telescope eye. The par
ticular charm about the youngster was his
ability to fix his magnifying optic upon a
haystack or a barn located at a distance of
one mile and, by focusing the suns rays
in the retina Of the said eye, produce
confiagrstion in the said haystack or barn
with the same facility that one may make
flame from burning glass. Mr.. Davis used
his mythical incendiary in a speech in which
the boy was made to devastate the farming
districts because of his hatred for agri-
cultural life. A SUFFICIENT air of verisimili-
tude was given the story by Mr.. Davis to
entice the San Francisco Academy CT Sci
ence to indulge In some correspondence on
the subject.
Jolly Tine with Bernhardt.
In the sos he went g Carson, New. and
assumed the sditorship Of the Csrs9n APP
peal. which. before he went actively into
state politics. was one Of the most widely
copied country papers in the United states.
When Sarah Bernhardt hrst passed Through
.Nevnda on-her western tour the Examiner
OF San Francisco wired Davis to board the
''divine Sarah'a" train at hene and escort
her into califotnia--also to get a good in
terview enrDute. Mr.. Davis made himself
so agreeable to the entire company that
Bernhard Insisted that the romantic mon
sieur of the press be assigned by the Elk
aminer to escort her through the Taazes of
western life. Mr.. Davis turned San Fran
cisco upside, down for her entertainment,
and even arranged number OF attrac-
/ lions to show her sample of western ac-
| tivity under the stress Of strong emotion.
When the company left San Francisco, and
farewells were being said, Bernhard walked
up to Davis in the presence Of the adrniring
throng and kissed him on either cheek and
on the LIPS.
ION the cheeks" she exclaimed. with a
AdlN0 LObS W nedof AOE THO hAdull-
ner' and the Appeal; on the lips for your
self"
Sam Davis, for the second time in his life,
blushed. but recovered himself in time to
remark that there we're a lot more up
country papers that he represented, all
of which would like to have him return to
Nevada with similar tokens.
Some Famous Stories.
As a stOry-teller he is famous in the west
He has written a great many short Stories
one of which, 1.-THE First Piano in Camp"
is included In recently prepared edition
of Classical American Humor." He hasn't
the slightest objection TO a joke on him
self-in fact, he appears to like it. Sew
eral years ago, when he was spending
more time in editing his newspaper than
In running the politics Of Nevada, an ad-
vertisinG agent wandered into the Appeal"
office and requested information concerning
the rates.
what do you want to advertiser" in
quired Davis.
"A cure for the driak habit"
"Habitual intoxicationT'
Yes" replied the advertiser; IT have a
remedy that will positively cure drunken
ness In It's worst form"
Dent so any further Sit right down
here and sign this contract. I've got the
medium you need Every inebriate in town
takes my paper"
But do they read itT' asked the adYer-
Using man. anxiously!
Certainly they do. That's their only
reason for staying intoxicated"
Afr Davis is a man who has not lived
in vain. He is married, has two daughters
ard gets all the peace out OF life that is
to- be had on a comfortable farm two miles
from the capitol at Carson. He is not
disposed to the strenuous life. nowadays,
though some who know him best are Of
the opinion that his attitude toward in
surance companies who confess the use
OF corruption fund in politics is not es-
pecially friendly.