The San Francisco call., 1908-12-06
Gossip of Railwaymen

When Henry Avila entered the offices
of the Union Pacific yesterday he found
7. Hannibal Jacobs on his knees new
ing in 40 different keys.
There was the pla:ntive new. as if
kitten of tender years had lost her
mamma; there was the fierce new of
the terrible tom cat, with fur erect and
claws projected, ready for a fray of
the most deadly kind.
But NEW as Jacobs would, no re-
sponsive miaou came from desk or
shelf
Heavens, Jake!" exclaimed the gen
orally impassive Avila, almost believ-
ing that the city passenger agent of
the Union Pacific had gone temporarily
insane, and imagined himself reincar
mated in the form OF a cat.
Il have lost her" remarked T. Hanni-
bal, as he rose to his knees and care
fully busted off his trousers with
damp rag soaked in benzine.
Lost what?" asked Avila. greatly
relieved.
"A cat" was the subdued answer.
sI found her ON the curb. A sad and
lonely kitten, exposed to the rain and
the wind, and I took her in my arms
and brought her here and she has dis
appeared.
What do you want cat here for?"
inquired Avila.
Not for here" said T. Hannibal, but
for my home. Daily do I take home
cats, and when we have fattened them
UP some horrid creature steals them for
the warehouses in the Potrero. It
ought to be made a criminal offense
for a man to steal cat
That's the man, father. that stole
my kitty" bawled a small child as
she opened the door.
Here, dig up that cat, said the
man in a coarse voice.
Il can't, it has been stolen from
me-" pleaded T. Hannibal.
Ten cents. then" said the man.
Lee Eicholtz shovtly after entered
the room. He rubbed his eyes and
then went and looked at himself care
fully in the mirror.
I'm blessed if 1 don't believe that
Jakes lunch case is moving" he
muttered.
Il think it's the Iimburger Jake car
ries. that's making the case move"
suggested Avila.
Then there came an unmistakable
NEW from the case.
That's no joke" was all the COM
ment II. Hannibal made when the cat
left its bed of sandwiches.
The bridge across Pease river, north
of Sweetwater, on the Kansas City.
Mexico and Orient road, has been COM
pleted. The gap between Sweetwater
on the Texas and Pacific, and Wichita
in Kansas will be closed and through
train service established between De-
cember 10 and Is. This will put in
operation continuous section of miles
over which both freight and passenger
traffic Will be exceptionally good. The
closing of the gap and the connection
which it will afford with the Texas
and Pacific will create a new route be-
tween Kansas and Oklahoma points
a short line for the shipping of cattle
and sheep from western Texas to
Kansas City.
In connection with the advance in
freight rates on California products to
the middle states the first of the year
it is of interest to know that the
lines east OF the same territory have
arranged for an advance in the rates,
which is to take effect January 49,
Some of the lines advanced their rates
August 10. Details of the proposed
advance have not as yet been received
in the city. but are expected soon.
Captain w. B. Banning of the Will
iniii6 Ion transportation company, with
headquarters in Los Angeles, was in the
city yesterday on company business.
Captain Banning is the owner of Cata-
lima island. and says that there is still
much travel to Avalon by those who
enjoy fishing.
There will be three large excursion
parties to California from the north
west during the winter. There was one
last year and the success of the inland
empire special has induced the COM
mercial bodies of Walla Walla. Spo-
kane and Seattle to come south. There
will be from 200 to $50 in each party
and the dates are as follows. From
WalIa Walla, January Is; Spokane
February Ia and Caatfra Earr1sarv IN