PENOGRAPHIC SKETCHES; OR, THE ODD MEN OF 'FRISCO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4480, 23 March 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

PENOGRAPHIC SKETCHES; OR, THE ODD MEN OF 'FRISCO.

[FROM OUR SA2T FRANCISCO SPECIAL. Penographic sketches, penograms, &c. I have consulted the best authorities as to-; the use of these words, and Am advised that they are in order, and infinitely more convenient a<ad euphonious than " Pen Pictures,"Pen and Ink Portraits," tl Pen and Ink Sketches* 5 ' &C, I deed these two words to the reading public. The man who plants: a ;tree has jiyesl in vain;..the. man irhoV adds

1 'fehphonicttifily de- -- 6 erves'tli'Q'gratitude of ithe^nation—l" expect it. .oil f N'ORTON 1., OF TIIH UKITED-STATpj| •O 0 A AOTr-IBOTBCroBTOS-JIEBXIOO.n. t'~| j These ire s 'tfie'titiea'bf' San Francisco's great'" 1 dddiiypand he ''resents "'fiercely any 'attempf • to' shear->him of ."his - aelf-created hpnors.-o-'Norton :byi birth', is a■ - Scotchman! and even in his affected insanity cannot hidi the leading trait in'the Scotch- character—a due appreciation of the bawbee. ; The Emperor is about 50 years of age—rejoices in a corpulent figure andblue uniform.? His shoulders are adorned" with epaulettes,and heavy bullion fringe. His hat is that of a ■ stage* brigand,' ■ and his' pants ; and boots ■; have seen better—yes, much better—days..; .He carries an immense walking-stick, ;,most elaborately carved. He has the entree of every restaurant in the city, and scorns"the ignoble practice pi paying fo*: what he ' eats ■ His appetite is immense, and his whole outer man is greasy to an extreme. ■ He is a gaberlunzie in' a new dress. The. Emperor issues monthly coupons of. the value of one dollar. This paper money is beautifully printed or lithographed,' and bears-'upon its face a vignette of the Emperor. 'These coupons he disposes of-.to his friends at a discount of 50 per cent., and realises thus a monthly' revenue of lOOdols. When he is thirsty he favours some wholesale wine merchant with an order for a bottle of champagne, and pays for it in coupons. No restaurant-keeper ever, refuses him an excellent dinner; indeed, such , a general favourite is this prince of loafers that it would-be the ruin of . any man in trade to offend'tim. . "He parades the streets.daily in full fig, as described, generally .carrying a Japanese umbrella over his. head land always courteously returmng , the. salutes most freely bestowed upon him.- He would be a foolish man who dared to take liberties with the Emperor., . His . Majesty is in "frequent correspondence with the . crowned heads of Europe. He has letters in ; .his possession from French, German and ojfcher European potentates,'and also from General Grant. The Etnperor has been exceedingly well educated,and is quite sane on every subject save in' reference to his dignities 'and titles, i Address him as'Ur. Nortoni-and "he snuffs you out in two seconds. He insists upon a courteous consideration of his royalty, and is very ready to promote; his special favourites. Norton 1.,, is as miich an institution^''Frisco as the sea lions; the banki ing games aid the drinking saloons. Like most men of his class Norton I. has.a.historyJ- ir In the'early days of California he was a.' prosperous - merchant. - His future-'was studded''with the most brilliant "gems' of hope. A large income, a beautiful home, a charming wife, all helped to make delusion still more illusive. Reverses came, and greatest of; all human calamities followed— the reed upon which he lent piercedjMs hand—aye,;his heart. In his hour of trial the woman upon whom in his prosperity he had showerod his love in costly gifts, abandoned him in his deep adversity.. She left him for one not stricken by that . fell, fiend' ill luck, and Norton became a victim'to 'that deep melancholy which wraps the soul in impene : trable gloom. After a' long..sleep reason awoke and resumed her .sway, but she had not gathered strength whilst she, Blept, and her vision was imperfect.. The glitter of empty titles took the place of love, and in a happy egotism poor Norton forgot'the past'. It is doubtful-if he is still insane on any point, the method in his madness is at any rate very marked. -Probably when he shuffles off this mortal coil there will be found to his credit somewhere £10,000, which he will very likely leave .to some brother .Emperor, or to " some of 'Frisco's little ones in petticoats, 'poor Norton being passionately fond of children.' ■ • ■ ■ » ■