Lobby Talk

The article in yesterday's Statesman about the hidden treasure above the city in Pease park was read with much interest by a number of persons. [...] Many of the older citizens stated that they had, for a long time, known of men who thought there was a treasure up there and had attempted to get it on more than one occasion. One man said that he knew of one occasion when some five or six men had spent night after night up there, guarding the ground to keep other people away, even though they did not work the ground themselves. The old-timers say that the mythical treasure has been hidden there for many a day and will probably remain there for many a day to come.

The Southsiders seem determined to get out of the city, and they will use every effort in that direction. Many of them say that the city would be doing nothing but justice to them to let them get out, and they will make a war talk for their rights.

The fact that there will be no inaugural ball this year will fill the hearts of many society people with deepest woe. They have been banking on our having a ball, and they will be sorely disappointed. It will not be their first disappointment, however, and they will get over it in all probability.

Superstitions still cling to the human mind even despite repeated disproof, and few of the most intelligent people would care to break a looking-glass, begin a journey or enterprise on Friday or sit down to a dinner with thirteen persons at the table. Nevertheless, Columbus discovered America on Friday, and '13' proved a lucky number for Nansen in making his 'highest north.' His expedition numbered at first twelve men till a thirteenth was picked up in a port on the way north; no one of the thirteen, however, lost his life. On March 13, 1895, Nansen decided to leave the ship himself and to press on with one companion. The Fram struck a southerly current on January 14, 1896, and on August 13 she gained free water and Nansen reached land again. On February 16, 1896, the false report was telegraphed that he had been seen in Siberia. Three times were litters of thirteen pups born in Nansen's pack of Esquimaux dogs, though it is rare that more than six appear in a litter. And, finally, it is said that just thirteen publishers attempted to secure the publication of Nansen's book giving his report of his adventures.