Evening Star Newspaper, January 31, 1874, Page 3

te bs Piaying in the parlor On that merry day, ‘When the birds go mating As the wine ones say. Sweethbart called out gail) “Keep ‘tll, Bess ai Neh Finks } bear ze postman Yingin’ at ze bel Quickly, at the summons, Gentle Bessie sped. «Here's @ lot 0” letters— i” cried Fred. ue and Nellie— yes, four for Blair,— ob’ oc} senses’ cart,—f declare!” © ye b’essed letter!” ned our tiny elf. Make !t open, Bessie, Yead it to myself. From the tiny missive, Sweetheart’s valentine Slowly tle Bessie Read each written line + my soul!” said Sweetheart Heaved a little sigh Vat is celly eplen’id— More it makes me tw: Why, you little Kosy Tender Bess replies, Valentines should make you laagh; Ne one ever cries.” Ab!” quoth Sweetheart, gravely, S’ou'dn't langh ‘pout mine z now, me never ‘fore anes z ANNABEL BROWN, When | consider the difficulty with which I astonished at the way n which some peo- olive. There's my friend William He is a married man, has half a dozen ‘chikiren, lives in a nice littie house Chapham-way, always bas something hot for supper and a glassof grog for himself and a friend afterward, and yet, as tar as 1 know, he has ne income whatever. He’s an old school- fellow of mine, which gives him a kind of claim upon me:and ever since | have renewed my early acquaintance with him—he called upon me some years ago, when I first entered her Majes- ty's civil service. as a junior clerk, to request my interest with the authorities to procure him an appointment of some kind—ever since then he has bee out of employment and on the look- out for an opening. | m afraid that in the selt- importance of youth, I gave William & too ex- alted idea of my tmtiuence with the “autheri- him alittle, and heid out some hopes, however vague, that { might possibly come across some- thing that might provide him with the wished- tor opening. Indeed | may say that I was as good as word, and did put him in the way of obtaining a public situation of some emolu- t, having succeeded in placing his name on of candidates for an open competition for tuation in the Excise, for which the poor fellow was uncommonly grateful. It turned out, by the way, that the limit of age for these situa- t ons was from eighteen to twenty, and William was getting on for thirty-five. it this obsta- not seem to daunt William at a! who was dead, poor fellow, who, if be had lived, that he was wronging nobody by mak- gy and address in overcoming the various ditti- t arrangement, that | tho aught it argued very we: for the fellow’s real qualities, anc fortunately, as he told me afterwards, the time and energy he had devoted to overcome these preliminary difficulties had prevented his giving himself to the necessary preparation for passing | the caamination itself. He was plucket in the ' ‘Three: a rule, he informed ine, that of the slightest use in mercan*.lo affairs, and is indeed considered yuite obsolete by men of business. But still, as | told him, «William, ‘ou ought to hav? got it up.” Obsolete and stupid ax might have been the system of exami- nation, he ought to have accommodated himselt to circumstances—he onght to have gone in for the Phree, it isa very simple thing. You put ¥ gures in @ row with dots between them, and if the answer comes out wrong—and it does sometimes, tremendously—you may be sure you've put the wrong figures in the middle and you must alter ‘em. But I've found that mercantile men, asa rule, are pig-headed. Wil- liam was ntile man; he b: lerk in per’s counting how: # pighealed. le wouldn't goin for the Rule Three, and ‘Then, William, must abandon all thoughts of entering the lie service ot your country.” He did so with the greatest philosophy, pot appearing much cast down by his ill-success. ‘The pext time ! met William he told me be was in the building trade. { couldn't learn that he had done anything in the way of build- | ing himselt, but he was on commission he told me. At ali events, he had succeeded tn obtain- ing @ very nice little house, the one he at pres- ent inhabits, and onsuch advantageons terms that be had three landlords, each of whom for- true that they occasionally varied their pro- ceeding by putting in an execution, as they called it, upon William, who, however, with his usual resource, bad hit upon an ingenious way of defeating their maneuvresby means of a bill of sale, the operation of which he explain- ed to me, but I can’t exactly recollect the par- tieulare. am came to mt excitement. It consisted in buying houses again at an immense protit, really on paper it | on the table, swi | est none! id have been just the right age. and it wae ing use of the baptismal certificate and other papers that would have been poor Bob's if he had been alive. He showed, indeed, such ener- | es that presented themselves in making that euch industry and perseverance would, if they once found an opening, be sure of success. But nn- | loo: one day in a state of jub- The opening had come at fast. William was on the high road to fortune. When explained, the opening was found to con- sist of an operation, and in the building trade. ae ~ ‘It is precieely the same bail me,” cried “Yes; Dut to me?" . “Oh, it’s much better for Lp don’t have to . with the money, “Fea,” Leaid, it soci to. the arrangement his opinion as to thelale Now, | could see William was a deal an- | noved about this, but what could erg ‘“ Be cs — away his papers in - na = n't see im again for a year. es, it was | least a after that Wilkins, t! | came into m room when I having my Tuncheon—half a pint of porter and an aberne- thy—and gave me a little bit of crampled paper done up in the form of a note. ‘There’ “Dear Malam,” said the note, ‘‘you will send. me a sovereign by bearer, my daughter, Anna- bel, your god daughter, for a particular pur- pose? Don’t fail.’ “T'll see her myself, Wilkins,” I remarked to the messenger, and went out into the waiting room. There was generally a good many people | im the waiting-room, and there were on this oc- casion—people waiting for an interview with the heads of dcpartmeste—and there, perhaps nging her legs with the great- alance, was my laughter, Anna- bel Brown. I must say that I felt @ little twinge of remorse to think how I'd neglected my duties towards her, never having troubled myself to see whether she was confirmeJor any- thing of the sort. But she was atine weli grown irl of seventeen or so, and indeed showed how | Fast she had grown taller and broader by her | garments, which re rather short,and display- was altogether seemly, and ed more leg tha | abo didn’t meet in front as well as they might have ‘one. “Well, ‘Emry,” she said when she saw me— she was immersed in an Army List, but looked up and greeted me with a smile as I entered— show about the skiv’?”” I was a good deal embarrassed; because every- | body looked at us and. grinned; and young Saunders, who is my junior and loses no oppor- tunity of making hasty remarks about me hap- pened to be in the room speaking to a friend. and watched us sardonically. You've read, I daresay—I haven't myself, I confess, but I've heard bim mentioned In society—of a monster called Frankensteir, who haunts somebody very much, Well, it struck me, this wasexactly my case. William was Frankenstein, and here was a Miss Frankenstein, and how many more penves onl: eva Rear Yonago said to myself, and bit my lips, and was very angry. % understand ‘Aumabel. misinter- y silence. ‘Usual thing, left your uurae at home, eh? Or have you just paid a eavy bill, and not a farthing in the house. All right, "Enty; don’t apologize, I beg you, bless you, I'm used to it. . “Well, as it happens,” said I, ‘Miss Anna- bel’—I put the Miss in very’ strong to let it ap- L hare lett m: ‘et-bool angen! Meceae ots Pacts Mate ete ey ality, i | kid?" ‘Then, look here, 1’ll go and fetch it for ties’"—whoever they may be—that [ patronized | ”” ou. ” couldn't think of that,” said I. Then tetch it yourself,”’ sa‘d she. “But | can’t leave here till four o'clock.” “Then I'll wait for you,” she cried. “Oh, don't mind me. I can amuse myself very well. It's rather fun watching these old blokes pop in i out—Itke old rats, you know the look of a very old rat when it’s worn and gray. Well, you menin public officesjlook just like that when they get old—not cunning, though—Oh, no!” said Annabel with a laugh. And Cropper, our chief clerk. I believe Saun- | ders had sent him in on purpose—was standing cle, which would haye been fatal, I thought did | He was thirty-five, it is true: but he had a brother once just bebind us, and—well, he does look exactly like an ~~ rat. But what was | wo do with this territle “But you can't stop here,” I said, “‘anfortu- nately, I’m afraid; at least, it would be thought not the thing, you know.” “Ob, bother that; but look here then, I’ll go and wait for you in the park. Lend me a penny, you shall have it back in a week—honor, you *h, that won't do at al) here.” ! cried, in desperation: [said! ‘Look and explain matters to him.” «And bring the skiv?” she cried. “Ob ves, yes.” 1 Heaven forgive me it I did, “That's « promise, then. Yo 5 e father, ‘cause he "1 com: in quad. to every word pen” “Ob, it’s nothing,” she said court. But it’s too bad, isn’t i imprisonment for debt is abolished, K how they serve us! It's a shai * eried Annabel, looking around for the sympathy of the bystanders. It was more than I couldendure. 1 burried? her ont of the building; she insisted on kissing me on the steps in full view of the Horse Guards and St. James’ Park, and left me more dead than al I was atraid Cropper would sa: I should have bit him if he had, Was so savage, and there’d have been a pretty row. I went up to Chapham that night, and a most ‘only county ad then heart-rending scene { witnessed. I’m not good | at pathos, so I will leave to it the imagination, | only adding that I was so overcome that I le:’ them the “‘skiv,”’ and promised to see all Wi! liam’s creditors’ on the morrow and arrange matters with them. And then, asif by magic. | the scene changed. My sovereign had set the bouse a-going again. There was a nice little jamb’s-fry and new potatoes, and a supper— plenty of capital stout and a bottle of Irish whisky; and after hy ap Annabel dashed off bade bim to pay any rent to theother. It was Sa pieces on @ old rattle-trap piano; and then | got excited and wanted to dance; an: then mother sat down to the piano and pl: to us, and Annapel and | waltzed around [never spent such an evening in my life. When the bells struck midnight I was walking up and down that little garden at Clap. ham with Annabel on =I, arm, and Lerabe d 1 boy a love to her. That was the beginning of it. za inarr: "Henry. they'd say, “with your position and «i selling them advantages you ought to marry wi but here I was, thirty-seven nearly, and no nearer it looked most promising: but then one must make , than when I etarted. | was beginning to lose an allowance for the sanguine nature of pro- otors. There was one little requisite, Wil- iam added, a very trifling obstacie—a capital. “Clearly not,” I said. “T look upon my fami! fact Yes, i didn’t see how they could be turned to “Then,” went on William, “the question arises, how isthe thing to be met’ Clearly by somebody advancing the requisite capital— putting himself, as it were, im the place of the original investor, sharing his profits without sks; but that advantage,” said I'm quite content be should juestion is, where to find the im: es, there it is,” said I: mast be plenty of men who'd be glad of such a chance bat 1 can’t think of anybody at present. “1 thought of yon once,’” said William; ‘but sharing b William, | dismissed the ides. No; it wouldn't do for | you “Ob, I don t see was 4 reasonable om “Keasouable'” said William, “ite ridiculous. Fitty pounds. Tue bal fifty pounds: Bab! the thing ie absurd.” I said, “if the amount Now it so bappened that had a little more than fifty pounds to my credit at the London and Westmini-ter Bank on deposit, and they'd just reduced the interest two per cent., which ‘was disgusting; but still I'm such a cautious Bird that | wouldn't give William an answer i bad an opportunity of consulting an mine, a lawyer of large practice in a, strange to say, be didn’t think heme as William did, and yet men—but sometimes there ious. e the money without good “personal would do—oue ide his own.” this, and he didn’t raise any hought it was quite proper, recaution, and he named to ks, wom I knew very well, ponsible man. There was nsent, but as a mere matter of ‘€ would beas well te ask Bim. In the course of thenext d: Ihadanote from Wil- liam, saying conicaliy. “All right—wlil come to-morrow nigh’ So I withdrew my deposit, and waited at hore to meet Master Wiliam, He came next in the highest aptrite. “Well, I've sueceeded admi:ak!y; better than I could possibly have expected. ‘In point ot fact, ! shall no lon; want yourDeip. Still i shail ever be grateful Co you; and some other time I may have another good thing open.” «Then you've got the money,” | sad, «Well, William, I’m giad of it. it has put mo'toa lit: tle inconvenience withdrawing my deposit. and so op. but never mind that—i'm ; giad your friends bave such confidence in you.” “I baven’t the money yet, but i'm to Dave it to- in fact, Wiikes entere€ into matter ee, in the handsomest wa; “Le he said; “I dareeay oar friend X alam hasn't any too mech cash at*his bank- ers. but 1 know him to be a good heneet feliow. now." be said, *'/"// advance the money.” “Eat was very good of Wilks,” Isaid- «Wasn't it’—no ‘consall 'y lawyer’ there, Malam’—come, old friend, only my Joke, you now; but be w.ys, ‘I'll advance the m mney, apd Malan shall besecarity.” It comes to just the same thing, you see."” “Ie it the same thing?” I said doubtfully. 1 havent got any mathematical head, and y at al needless ,” William went on, “as my capital, the children I've brought up anc edueated;' they represent an immense fund Dut it is at present sunk—unavailable in hare in @ fortune tor | health or my dear daughte: | Wilks, the next toast I the hair on the top of my head; I'd two false teeth; instead of making my way in society, I was losing the few friends 1 formerly had. "be said, ‘you can't expect | Aud then Annabel was delicious. Once having made up my mind that I liked the girl, I was | soon convinced that it was my (a adn me ‘ent to see that she was nicely juget her lots of ape | a for which she was very grateful, and would sweet kisses. And as she came often to began to talk about her, and chaff me. And | Saunders,{too, fell most des) ly spoony over her, and that decided me. When Pronnd 3 aun- ders was —— after her, I went in. Her father ec when | was in this state of mind, and wanted to burrow twenty pounds for a particular purpose—a purpose that woulil re- turn the money to him fifty-fold thereatter. 1 - Sout this a good opportunity to speak my min i told bim that | would lend him this sum for this one occasion, as I had certain views with ipa rem to his i. which I would ex- plain to him hereafter. But! bound him under a most solemn promise and a written undertak- ing under a penalty of fifty pounds never again to apply to me for advance. This was a stroke of policy, you see, because if he’d become my father-in-law, | should have otherwise been con- tinually exposed to these annoying applications. William is a very sensible fellow at the bottom, and took all I said in good part, and pocketed | the twenty pounds with many acknowledg- ments and protestations. A lew days afterwards [ hada note: ‘*M William Brown requests the pleasure of M Malam’s company to a dejeuncr at 10 a. m., on Saturday, the 2d of June.” It was the Queen's birthday as it happened, and a holiday at the oftice. and I was very well pleased to go down | to Clapham, fully making up my mind to speak | to Annabel and offer her my hand and heart. | [made myself very smart, chartered a hansom cab, determined to do the thi in good style, bought a bunch of flowers tor my coat and another bunch for Annabelon the way, and ar- rived at Clapham a little late—indeed, was L er apron ten. There was a small « outside the bouse of boys and loafers, and the window of the front room was wide open, and | | beard the manly voice of William: he was mak- | ing i a h. SLadies and gentlemen —Hovin drunk the r son-in-law e to give you is the ued friend, to whose health of a very old and v: | kind and ang care Lowe much of the com- forts of my life. 1 am not | ing that probably but tor hid kinhinces the feast | We are Dow assembled at would have had no too far in say- existence. He is not here, alas. My friend | holds ® position high In the counciis of his sov- creign. You know the critical state of public affairs; I fear my friend is to k e unable jeave his We, , Stop!” I cried fi an wnee | bad Temainec anaded witn ferent J mat raneze‘ | ceasing bie address and running tothe ees to the r | meet me. “Henry,” ne sobbed’ his voice chok- ed with champagne and e1 “I owe this <°J0h, stop that fetes is am arried Annabel, my Annabel’ ™ ’ chem your bi “Confusion!” I cried, or perhaps the word was , and hurried back to my cab. ‘ And that was the tast I saw of Annabel, dear Annabel Brown.—Beigravia. a en S7-At La Cross, Wis., on Thursday these com moot ye es oe —s — now mat terol gam more, prc anual, me. It seem very much like ¢ ame thing, examining cartridge: only reverted, bat then—was ic? © SNS HME | Be rr eramining It, otis nted out without asking he messonger, ——e | person in the waiting-room says she'll wait for nd [li get aroll and go and feed the and I'll meet you. Where shall [ meet tell your father Ill come up to-night without fail and see him id ] make a mental resevation, then, taltered—Cropper was listening “Ob, dear, how did that hap- They tell us yed the —_ by the light of the moon. ()h, it was Hicious! lways bad the impression that T should If All my friends had told me so. ve me most soe me on ber father’s business, the fellows at the office FL SEEE of pale green silk, a quarter of a yard wide, placed with easy, careless grace, and support two garlands ot | headed by a putt, and the tops of the breadths were cevered by a@ long over-skirt draped by green bows and long loops. Low round Josephine waist, with folded Grecian bertha, and a wide belt of green silk folds. ies on each shoulder. A similar dress, worn the Infant Asylam Ball, had tringes of lilies-of-the- valley for gar- | niture, and a bouquet of the real flowers and | smilax in the hand. The corsage was the new “corset b peli gears | the hips smoothly, and | a vine of flowers around the neck and edge was the only trimming. Diamond ornaments. The dark hair was in puffs and a chatelaine b-aid, with large smooth waves on the forehead, and } valley lilies on the side. TULLE, TARLATAN, ETC. Among other thin fabrics, tulle and tarlatan | dresses #re next in favor; muslins are not as | bed: great fields of heli much worn as formerly. ‘These dresses have “— short and very sharp trains, and are t tiest when trimmed from belt to toe with a diagonal tablier of clusters made up of a ruche, a@ puff, and @ side pleating; sometimes each cluster is headed by a garland of flowers, though often there are but oneor two diagonal gar- lands, or else a vine is down each side. The back breadths have a succession of side-pleat- ed tlonnces below, and soft panier puffs above. Few overskirts are seen of these frail fabrics, but, instead, 18 ample scarf-sash of white watered ribbon, or else of soft India silk in pale tints; this is passed around the skirt just below the hips on the right side, and, falling lower on the left, is kno! there with hanging ends. Basque-waists and empeet sleeves are still used, but the corsage most in favor this winter for young la- dies’ il dresses has @ hi neck and short | sleeves in severe Medici fashion, and is oftenest | laced or buttoned behind. A high raff and pufted sleeves belong to this quaint bodice. If | preferred, the waist may be either pointed or elge round, with a wide belt, but it is most often | the chatelaine bodice, which extends over the hips smoothly, as corsets do, and is called the ‘hip walst,”” and sometimes the ‘‘corset waist.”’ There ‘s very little trimming on any corsages, and their lower edge must not be defined ex- cept byacord or piping. Low-necked dresses are less frequent this year than high ones, but | short sleeves are universal; the Pompadour sleeve, ruitied below the elbow, is decidedly passe. Some dresses omit sleeves altogether, parti merely a fringe of lace or flowers, while thick silks are given the sleeveless appear- ance by baving merely short pufls of the thin- nest tulle. GARLANDS, POCKRTS, ETC. Garlards of pink rose- buds are the prevailing fancy for trimming thin dresses, whether of white tulle, green, blue, or the pretty gray and laycnoer tulle dresses that are among the most refined of the season. The floral parure now consists of abelt bouquet for the right side of the corsage, another high on the left of the neck, a short thick garland crossing the back of the waist diagonally from mght to left, and | various hanging garlands tor the skirt, instead of horizontal vines for heading flounces. For the coiffure is a compact cluster without trail- | ing sprays. Water lilies, lilies-ot-the-valley, and violet clusters are much used, and blue myosotis sprigs are used by the gross for trim- ng white dresser. Large white roses and the es ie white primroses are also fashionable flowers. The ammoniere, or chatelaine lag, for hold- ing the list of dances and the handkerchief, is attacked to most ball dresses this winter. This is a h’.nging pocket made of the gauze or silk af the dices, edged with lace er flowers. On some elegant dresses this pocket is of ree lace over silk, with an exquisite rose set in the cen- tre, Powdered hair is losing favor with ladies of fashion, The coiffares seen at most exclusive balls are of the natural bair, whether dark or bionde, arranged in finger puffs, a chatelaine braid, and smooth scallops on the forehead; thus it is worn both high and low, and is varied to suit the contour of the head. The Greek illet of gold, precious stones. ora ribbon ot vel- vet, is a very fashionable ornament; with these are small feather tutte, aigrettes, or a tiny clus- ter of flowers to match the bouquet and the garniture of the dress. It is said that large massive curls are about to be revived, and will be warn In a cluster behind, made of four short curls with four longer ones. AT THE ACADEMY BALLS. Silks, satins, and velvet with rare laces are | worn by the stately women of society who serve as lady- managers of the most exclusive ot the Académy balls. Cream and tea-rose silks are in especial favor, though blue is more worn than = other color this year. Satins take deeper an more positive hues than are usually ehosen for gas-light toilettes; and colored velvets, such as cerise and Sevres biue, are being revived by leaders of fashion. A directress of the Infant Asylum ball, a stylish brunette, wore cream- tinted faille with facings of dark brown vel- vet, and tlounces of white illusion wrought with Oriental embroidery. Her ornaments were sapphires and diamonds. The raven balr was in finger puffs and smooth waves. White camel’s-hair Dolman. A second lady-mapager wore tea-rose silk with black Chantilly lace tlounces. (ne of the rich- est dresses of the evening wasof pink satin with golden brown velvet facings and ruches. The tablier was two wide flounces of point apphque lace; two long tabs of lace extended the whole length of the train. Vines of shaded pink roses draped the skirt in various devices. Low pointed corsage. The ornament for the hair was @ diamond butterfly nk amidst roses. An effective dreas was of white silk with a black Chantilly flounce draped diagonally in front and curved behind; the sash and rose vines, of pt there were several yards, were of deepest a m, ENTERTAINMENTS, INVITATIONS, CARDS, BTC. There is a return to wholesome simplicity in the day entertainments given this winter. Ket- Uedrums, Kussian teas, and informal receptious are the order of the oon, seven of these having been noted on the same day on one block on Fifth Avenue. At these entertainments the guests wear street costume or go in full dress, as best suits them, and the simple refreshment is tea poured by the ladies of the family in the resence of the guests, in English fashion. The ussian tea has a slice of lemon added, waters and other delicate cakes are offered, and some- times chocolate is served. The table is con- spicuously placed, and there is a display of hand- some silver, old china, and fine napery. ‘The invitations to these unceremonious par- ties are on cards instead of note sheets. For in- stance, for kettle-drums or afternoon teas, the hoste: nds her visiting card, with merely the words ‘‘Tea at five o'clock” written or en- ved in the left-hand corner; her address is in the right-hand corner. For other afternoon receptions (where tea is not the object) cards are also used, with merely the day and “From three until six o’clock” in the left cor- ner. For ceremonious dinners a note sheet is preferred, and is folded once across the middle, to fit a square envelope. A simple formula: is engray upon this, requesting the pleasure of your company at dinner, giving the hour (usu- ally 6 o'clock), date and residence, and leaving blank spaces tor the guest’s uame and for the day of the dinner. . S. V. P.” is invariabl seen on dinner invitations. For the large an: ceremonious evening receptions, which are not numereus this winter, a note sheet 1s used, with a formula simular to that quoted for dinners, merely changin; reper which is _ often te @ invitation is usually a card, with ‘Tuesday evenings,” for instance, written in the left-hand corner. These week!: -ceptions continue even through Lent. The square and the eblong envel are the extremes of fashion for inclosing invi- F at home, ; i 2 i i HE i 3 is of octavo size, folded once across—a novel fancy that makes it fit the large square enve- lope. The price is 70 cents a quire, with enve- Instead of heavy illuminated mono- grems there are more light line monograms ciphers. On tinted paper letters are ofa darker A novelty for dinners is the Japanese plate cards, the size of an octavo pi chromos representing amusing Japanese scenes | and funny little Japs grinning with delight at , with fanciful ing | large Creamy white calla lilies. The fleral decorations are @ charming feature The train was bordered with a deep tlounce | of evening entertainments this winter, and are sive, $2,000 being sometimes the tlorist’s bill for the elaborate decoration of Different devices are | arranged for each room, | part of each room. with potted plants, and with cut pl tmilax looped with rose-buds festoons the cornices; draparies of roses and smilax are arranged be tels are divided in three beds of flowers, with violets in the center, end, and a groum In the wide door: , and for almost Corners decor in pyramids; ween windows; mal- daphnes and roses on each work of lycopodium and 's between drawing- rocms in a canopy of flowers shaped like a ‘ting nine balls made of flowers—violets, roses, ‘The walls of main parlors are transform where wire frames support jotrope, roses, camelias, tube- roses and carnations, edged with ferns, smilax, and the scarlet leaves of the poinsettil. other walls are flower cornuco) three feet in diameter, filled with the leveliest cut flowers. | all look different from the rooms, ivy is draped above the doors and staircases, and the landings have baskets of ferns and banging vines. Great banks of flowers are the dressing-rooms, the picture frames are studded with daphnes, rores, and draped with smilax, wh flowers fill antique jarsand vases. Instead of Pgh Lysiry seen at | wedding receptions, the le and groom now mand under an arbor or bower of Toses arranged before a long mirror. High epergnes of cut flowers are used on re- freshm -nt tables wher the guests stand; at din- ners, where the com) lower epergnes that parasol, and sup different kinds o} the marriage-bell lo not obstruct the view; troughs of glass in figures, letters and mono- grams, and straw baskets representing sheaves | of oate or wheat, also bol small dinners each gentleman guest finds a Loutonniere at his plate, and each lady a larger nosegay, called by the florists @ belt bouquet, or in bouquet; the latter cost from #) and the former 50 cents. entertainments theee boujuets are found in a barket In the center of the table, and are dis- tributed for the german. bouquets of two or three kinds o! carried in the hand cost from $5 upward, and little wonder, when each spray of the lily-ot- costs 20 cents, and To) y are from 75 cents to $i a ya stemmed flowers that are now loosely put to- bouquets are calyx by a fine then twisted around its the flowers. At Remonstrate against this torture of so sweet a a are assured that experiment e pierced rose will not fade sooner companion that is left tree be- jouquet is chosen with reference to the flowers that trim the dress. Amon, prettiest ball bouquets is one with lilies-of-the- valley in the center, violets around it, and an | Another was halt a circle of tea-roses, and the other half of dark crimson Large nearly blown buds are tsed in preference to full-blown roses. The pale leraon colored Isabella roses are now preferred to the salmon tea-roses. The safrane yellow roses are combined with the pretty pink Ponce de Leon The dark red Aprippiva and Louis roses are abundant now, and will followed by the crimson Jacquiemots. ‘Twelve kinds of roses, representing every of red and yellow are the choice treasures of the florist. Leaves of the rose geranium should pot be associated with violets, as they dostroy the violet odor entirely.—Harper’s Ba: | edge of smilax. AN Insane Lapy Travaczr. Pr senger on the Chicago express which arrived at esterday morning, attracted e conductor and other pas- her singular conduct. When the train reached Hudson the lady sprang from the car and ran up the street, leaving her tranks in The conductor he could to induce her refused to do so, and the traia s . She wastaken by the police and escorted to the Central house, when it was as- | certained that her name was McClasky, and that she had left Salt Lake City on the 22d inst. tor New York, where she has a brother empley- t-oftice, and that she was on her way to visit a family residing in Waverley | place, in this city. The police pronounce the woman insane, am hi charge of Conductor Stevens.—\. ¥. Times, the attention o! the car, but she ‘tarted south t her on here in “SENTENCE Day” In New York.—Tuesday was sentence day in the oyer and terminer in New York city. Three burglars, named Henry Garner, John Williams and Thos. W! ‘iven tive years in the state's though their counsel pleaded hard to have th punishment reduced, on the plea that this was their firet offence. A lad named Bly, 19 years | for four years. He that at the time he di jough skeleton keys were John Collins and Peter F. Dunn were sentenced totwo years and six on the Hudson river , for an attempted | ing, turning nei other old, was sent w what he was doin; found in his poc! months for robbin, railroad. James burglary, received a like sentence, eral sessions, Wm. McEntee, one of a notori- known as the 47th street ‘Forty was sentenced to Jordan, at 620 THE Kitiine 15 years at Sing robbing one Jos. Cou. St1LwxiL.—The pre- examination of John E. Corwin for ling of Col. Stilwell, at Anderson, Ind., »,@8 heretofore stated in Tue STAR, resulting in ‘his acquittal, on the pe ap =e in near “4 apolis Journal says:—‘The judgment of the court seems to have met with universal ap- it being apparently the sober conviction at Corwin was placed in before the fatal shot was fired. ma the lesson conve: lamentable affair. has come to an end. it is useless to of the law, to go | ly weapons, and to use them under sudden and uncontrollable excitement, gs of all the conservators of | | the guard. Owing to the darkness, he could despite the warnin; free and good mor: ABUSES IN LUNATIC ASYLUMS.- at Albany, on Monday night, in support of bis abuses occ connection with insane persons, gaid th: knew of instances where people perfectly sane had been committed to the horrors of lunatic asylums, upon certificates of two or character, b; contro] of their property. It was not bazarding too much to assert that for the sum of $50 two certificates could be obtained member of the assembly a lunatic. cases in which the authorities of lum had dispensed with of certificates.—V. ¥. #:- declaring an ti Bienes ¢ Bloom! le a3} even the formality 0 a OPrPosITION IN COLORADO To Ti MENT OF GEN. McCook a8 Govarnor.—A di itch from Denver says there seems to be a bit- fer Opposition to the confirmation of McCook as quest to retain Elbert, signed all but two of the republican members of has been forwarded to Presi- 6 impression prevails among non-politicians that a nomination by the ont- side for governor would meet with less i ure, dent Grant. Thi ———<—$—$ ___. THE MAYORALTY QUESTION causes great iticiansin Philadelphi A. K. McClare by the ——_—_______. Sy A REVEREND Harmbn Wi eeler, at Racine, Wi mathematics taken out a mechani but he tant and highly-worked passages, and gets pe Mpa a ody and any one who examines his speeches care- fully can tell by the great prevision and point of the language in certain parts what has been written and what spoken off-hand. All his speechesare very carefully prepared, but chietiy mhis head. He goes over the points he wishex to biing out for weeks, , perbaps, for months, and broods over the subject till it takes form and substance in hig mind. He has a *mall shp of letter paper with notes on it of the points in their order, and in the House of Commons | have often noticed him for hours before he rose conning over his notes, and re- bearsing passages with his eyes on the ceiling. Mr. Gladstone uses notes, but only for facts and the order of bis points, and trusts eacla- sively to the moment for his words. Lord Pal- mereton always spoke extempore, and scarcely ever condescended to refer to a paper. His great speech, tive hours long, in the Don Paciti- co debate, was delivered in this manner; be had only a set of the dispatches before him {n order to make exact quotations. Long parctice in dictations to private secretaries had & mastery of precise and easy langu: was not a flowing speaker. He thought ey deal more about bow a speech would read than how it sounded at the moment, and was dete: mined not to use any but the words he really wanted. This made him hesitate occa- sionally. Mr. Lowe acquired similar precision from dictating leader articles for the Times. Mr. Disraeli despises notes, except notes of dates and other figures; he —— his speech- es with great care, planning them out, group- ing his points artistically, and polishing up his eplgrams, but his speeches, though partly draited beforehand, are not repeated ‘from memory. The late Lord Derby was an impul- sive extempore aker; but bis son writes his om "Beginsing to end, and learns sly. Lord Granville speaks off- unequal in his style, which is, for the most loose andslovenly. ‘Lord £ ell also trusts to the words of the mome this, | imagine, was the rule with all the ers of the last generation. Mr. Horsman. heard, writes his speeches many times o each time destroying the manuscript, and then writing another with as many improvements as he can think of. The object is, of course, to procure 4 firm hold on the subject generally, as well ason ef wg egomeer ry language, so that he may crop the latter if he chooses, and insert anything that occurs to him. An Ornithological Opera Troupe. Anu extraordinary public entertainment has been produced in Lima, Peru, by an Italian named Contarini, who proposes to ci his ex- hibition to Europe. He has taught and trained, by dint, of great patience and perseverance, an opera company, made up of thirty parrots and parroquets, who perform two of Bellini’s ope! ‘Norma” and “Somnambula,” on a miniature stage, with full chorus and recita- tive. The director and manager accompanies the artists on a piano-harmonium, and the per- fection with which each bird sings his part and the excellence of the chorus are prodigious. The debut of this lyrice-ornithological com- pany in “Norma” was attended by the wealth and fashion of Limi When the par. roquet that sang the contralto finished the allegro in the ‘Salutation to the Moon,” such was the enthusiasm, the shouting and the applause at hearing a bird sing the Casta Diva, that the bird company, affrighted, took flight and sought refnge among the side scenes. This interrupted the perform- ance for fully @ quarter of an bour, and Signor Contarini had to tranquillize the ‘‘artiags ’ by giving them bread soaked in wine. Tlence- forth the expressions of ae were mot- erated, in order not to spoil the play. It appears that the bird artists had now become accustomed to the applause. The correctness and propriety with which they give certain parts of the opera are wonderful. The primo tenor possesses al! the airs and graces of the school of Mario, and the ladies of Lima have names the prima donna Patti. At least, that is tne story as told by one of the Lima fos fea Te ok who bave any im- agination to spare will please accept this dratt upon it. A Lunatic Ball. In the recent annual ball at the Lunatic Asy- lum. twenty couples took the floor, ranged in two lines, facing each other, and stood still in profound silence, waiting the music. In this party the strangeness of the performers was most apparent. The men wore a look upon their faces of such resolution as one would ex od upon that of a brave man brought face to face with some terrible danger, The women were more wandering in their glances; but nearly all were serious,too. The music burst forth and @ simultaneous movement followed; all sorts of movements, some cultivated steps, but for the most part a mere violent shuttling exercise. Directiy i | ali seemed to have forgotten that they had partners, and settled down into dancing. There was some pecu- | liarity about every individual, but in every one was observable a sort of ecstacy. One girl, with wild, dark eyes, and her | lack hair hanging loosely around her neck, would occasionally pause, as if trying to recollect | where she acted such a part in other scenes, but, glancing at the company all engaged around her, she would resume her motisos. Some of them — their gaze fixed on the ceil- er to the right nor to the left; rs kept a watch upon their feet, which, to their bewildered minds, were perhaps going sadly astray. Very soon'the organization lost shape, the original partners had wandered hopelessly a trom each other. But, with instinctive gallantry on the one side and gentle | Scquiescence on the other, the men swung and twirled whichever lady happened to be within Teach at the moment when they thought the music indicated “swing your partuer."—Nev- Haven Register. Tue Possisitit.gs ov Liv ReADING are weil illustrated in the case of Walter P. Cham- berlain of Marblehead, who delivered an ad: dress upon the subject at the convention of ar- ticulation teachers of the deaf and dumb in Worcheeter, last week. Mr. Chamberlain, who is now 42 years old, has been stone deaf since he had the scarlet fever at the age of five, but his parents took the greatest pains to teach him to read by observing the motion of a speaker's lips, and he has also derived gteat assistance from studying the motion of his own lips before amirror. He cannot understand every word in a running conyersation, but recognizes poole 7 to almost always understand a person's meaning. Mr. Chamberlain has attained such proficiency in the art of lip reading and articu- ation that during the war he enlisted and suc- cessfully passed a medical examination. He was inthe service for some time, when, one night his secret was discovered, and he was dis- | charged. Upon the nignt in question, he had occasion to go to the spring supplying the camp with water, when he was challenged by not see the sentinel, and, of course, did not hear him. He was arrested and had an exami- nation, the next morniy ny » an | the Leanne “Are you feat?” he answered, “If ] were deaf, how could I understand your question?” le successfully passed the exami- nation, until an investigation of his ears rev ed the fact that he was Botally deaf. = A Bisnor on ToTaL ABsTINENcE.—The Bishop of Lincoln lately published a sermon, in which he condemned the signing of the pledge, which led to @ cor lence between his lordship and Mr. Jacob Gee, of Ratclitte, who informed the bishop that portions of the ser- mon referred to had been reprinted, framed and hung up in public houses, adding :—‘I am sorry that s, bishop belonging to the dear old | Church of England should ha bloated sots such things to gi thrown at m@in all directions, ‘The Bishop of Lincoln says it’s @ sin to take the pledge.’ His lordship replies to the whole as follows: “The so-called extracts from the sermon are not extracts at all; they are onl; ‘bied of it. It commend it in certain eases but f thine agit in 5 but Se very Generel whether a man ought to take vow of total abstinence and condemn the rest of the world who do not take it. Time will show what is best for the cause of temperance and — Tue German Exrrror.—The pondent of the British Medicat | writes: i “The Emperor of Germany has now nearly re- | covered from an attack which has bis physicians much ~ It in a! _Herere hil and he troubie waa — by LOCKWOOD, BUFTY & TAYLOR WILL OFFER THEIR ENTIRE STOCK | Ladies’ and C Tarletan and Swiss Dresses | 47 @ DISCOUNT, Stock of Spring Goeds t Is NEW AND DESIRABLE, And embraces the FOLLOWING STYLES AND QUALITIES. CHILDREN’S WHITE SWISS OVERDRESSES, $3, 95 50,94, 94.90, MISSES’ WHITE SWISS WAISTS. LADIES’ SWISS POLONAISE, At @145,@1%, 915.79, $97 and LADIES’ SWISS AND TARLETAN DRESSES Plain and Handsomely Trimmed, at Biz, g16, Let ng 50, 855.00, CHILDREN’S White Pique Dresses, Sacques, and Cloaks, _ Closing Oat Cheap at LOCKWOOD, BUFTY & TAYLOR'S, 643 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. GENTLEMEN'S FURRIS Palmer's Patent DOUBLE-YOKE SHIRTS, EADY MADE. We know the PALMER PATENT DOUBLE YOKE to be the BEST SHIBT at the price iv the marketpand we particularly reqnest everyone to examine the quality of Linen and Muslin weed ant ucige for themselves, It ts our intention to increase onr sales of Beaty made Shirts ONE THOUSAND DOZEN dortng the coming season, and we bave therefore made PRICES BELOW OOMPBTITION, and witht reach of every one that wante ® FIBST-OLASS SHIRT AT ALOW PRICE. SPECIAL ORDER DEPARTMENT. This Department is en the second floor. and ie Well stocked with « splendid li FANCY SHIBTINGS. Weare p'epared tospecial order the DOUBLE-\ JKE SEIBT iv from three to ten days, The success ettending the inanufacture of this shirt ¢aring the pest two years, bas preven, beyond a doubt, thet it ts the mon! comfortable and perfect-fitting ome made any section of 'ue world. ‘The thousands of orig- inal and duplicate orders received for these Ocle- brated Shirts fully confirm the assertion, and we can fully substantiate it. Give them atrial, and be con- Vineed for yourselves. We are the only owners and thorized manufacturers of PALMER'S PAT- ENT DOUBLE-YOKE SACQUE SHIRT for the District of Columbia. All other persons attempting | to manufacture them are tnfringers, amd the public are cautiened against ordering or prrchasing them | of any other parties, LOCKWOOD, HUFTY & TAYLOR, 625 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, LAUNDRY DEPARTMENT. WE AKE NOW PREPAKED TO 006 TLEMEN'’S LAUNUKY WOKK ON SHORT NOTICE. Parties wishing to have their goods called for Will please make their arrangements at the store LOChWOOD, HUFTY & TAYLOR, ~ Jantétr 625 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. eee HOTELS, H*®°X's HOTEL, Bo, 709 @ STRET, Between 77H and 81H Staeets T= IMPERIAL HOTEL, JAMES BYEES, Proprisior, FRONTING PENNSYLVANIA AVENTR, Beiween Wh and lath Strects, OF ©. WILLAED, SBBITT HOUSS, WASHINGTOS, D.O STEAMER LINES. CUNARD LINE. the chances of col- ine take @ specitied course for all seasons of the year. ‘On the outward Pessage from ‘Queenstown to New Boston, crossing Meridit or notbing to the north of 43. ‘On the Paraage. of BO at 42 lat. OF nothing THE BRITISH AND NORTH AMERICAN KOYAL MAIL STEAMSHIPS, BETWEEN NEW YORK AND LIVERPOOL, CALLING AT CORK HABBO. From Bew Yo Jay Wed. With the view of diminishir Steam a Of © at 43 lat, Frou Boston. Jap, 38) Parthia.........Get., J: Feb. —— Bat every following WEDNESDA UBDAY from New York. Steamers ed thus * do net carry steerage pas- "Barz: oF PAstacr.—Cal » Bt lowest rates. given for Belfast, Glasgow, Harr: er ports on the Uontinent, freight and cabin pass- ¥ at the Company's Ni oor to OTIS BL Tic ta bas ast recetved an al ot qo ged Sliver eee rong jewelry, 'nOvIDaAY | BLOW, Banke: GS: FRANCKLYN, Agent. LK, BOSTON AND x or THE LAKB .”Branoh ticket ee * }» Sth-street wharf, | {2OHANTS LINE OF sTRAMSHIPS | WASEINGTO! NEW, YORK. the fine Stoamshipe B. 0. KNIGHT and HiPiLites INSURANOE OOMPANIES, ([ 208 18 THE SEASOX FOR Fines, GUARD AGAINST THEM BY (NSURING YOCR PBOPEBTY (BEAL AND PERSOBAL) With THE CORCORAN FI RSURANCE Co. OF THE DISTRIOT OF OOLUMBIA. OAPITA — — | ooo Office, 1429 Pennsylvania sven te T. LENMAN, President. J.T. DYER, Secretary. jeuls-tr Cash Assets, 91,474,530. MERCHANTS “INSUBANGE’ UO., of Newark, POP WRLM SR AND SUL" ca senate 1000, James Parker, A. Bowerd ap HOLIDAY GOoDs. H°"4Y Peesen ts. fie 005 Pannsyiy, ander Ni Gola ior the which he is enabled to Joss than ora Sew Fome Mauer BATES coer ‘iim at PEINOE'S, 1006 et — om Boe | HOLIDAY BOOKS. STANDARD WORKS. FANOY GOODS. LEATHER WALLETS snd POCKET BOOKS. JUVENILE BOOKS, « large assortment. PBAYEB BOOKS, &c., &o, RK. B. MOHUN & CO., Gecl?-tr Corner Pennsy!vanis ave. and 11th st. Hoerpar PRESENTS. supers ‘immense invoice ame —" | HOLIDAY GOODS OF ALL KINDS. ice “ah pio cio en REMOVAL. BEMOVAL. DEVLIN& Ce. HAVE REMOVED To THR sS4LOON PARLOR 47 1106 F street,