Clipping:Philadelphians learning the news of the game in Brooklyn
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| Date | Sunday, October 21, 1866 |
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| Text | The scenes around the Mercury office, and at Reach’s, last Monday, were of a very exciting character. Towards four o’clock knots gathered in front of our pavement, and as the messenger boy from the Telegraph office was seen crossing Third street, bearing a message, he was besieged by a crowd of the anxious, who were bent upon obtaining the news ere it passed into our possession. The result at the end of the fifth and sixth innings, made it look as if our boys had victory within their grasp. Of course the crowd received the joyful intelligence with much enthusiasm, and the same was quickly communicated to all sections of the city. Towards dusk the crowd increased, and Chestnut street was literally packed with merchants, bankers, brokers, mechanics, and others interested in knowing the result. “What can be the matter?” quoth a very nervous individual. “Why, they have to come four miles to reach the nearest telegraph station,” replies an individual who looks posted. “What do they say at the Mercury office?” remarks a diminutive specimen of the male sex. “Don’t know; but suppose we go down there and see.” Our F.P. is recognized on the street, and is beset by hundreds of ardent admirers of the game, who wish F.P. to inform them “on the sly” as to how the game has gone. F.P. holds his peace–he has nothing to communicate. F.P. is a sagacious youth–he knows a thing or two. However, F.P. is followed to the office; and Lew Simmons, Esq., who has perches himself upon a high stool, stays, in answer to twenty different interrogatories:–“Be a little patient, gentlemen; we will have the news, be it good or bad, in a very few minutes.” The crowd did endeavor to keep still, but it was an impossibility, and the nervous interest felt would break out and display itself in a variety of ways. Finally, the news came–Atlantic, 27; Athletic, 17. “Don’t believe it, “ says one. “Oh! That be darned,” sings out another. There were few who believed it, but in a few minutes, Lant Jones, Esq., a well known telegraphic expert, confirmed the intelligence, and Lant’s reputation for truth telling, and his means of obtaining information, satisfied the doubtful ones and unbelievers that “the jig was up.” “What can’t be cured, must be endured,” was the consoling reflection that escaped the lips of a ver enthusiastic admirer of our Philadelphia Club. The crowd now left Third street, and sought Reach’s, and as one or two of our representatives made their appearance in that locality, they were appealed to as regards the truth of the report. Unwillingly did they confirm the unpleasant intelligence. “How did it happen?” “Who played off!” “Who led the score? Were the questions put the Mercury’s corps thick and fast, and which were to be answered satisfactorily in the course of an hour or so. The crowd did not lessen any in numbers until nine o’clock. In the meantime, Carncross & Dixey’s Opera House was crowded, even to standing room. Lew Simmons being known as an active member of the Athletics, was interrogated as he appeared in his banjo solo as to “What was the news?” “Bad, my friends,” was Lew’s laconic reply; but, continuing, he said: “We have been beaten, and I’m sick.” A silence followed, which showed how deeply interested were the public in the success of our representative club. Had it been otherwise, and had Lew have had more pleasing intelligence to communicate, we fear our friends Carncross & Dixey would have been out to the expense of a new roof. The Chestnut Street Theatre was also crowded. Mr. Wm. E. Sinn frequently manifested interest in the Athletics, as well as the fact that the Chestnut boasts a star company of experts in the national science, induced many to look to that theatre to gain the latest. Josie Orton refused to communicate what was green-room gossip, which had no authority as yet, and which Josie and the company hoped would prove untrue. Nevertheless, it was true; but Josie and the admirers of the Athletics in the company refused to believe that “our pets” had been vanquished, and were as stubborn in their opinions as they are excellent as artistes, and warm-hearted sympathizers with this public in what to them was a matter of municipal pride. |
| Source | Philadelphia Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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